Dana Andrews Movies

Want to know the best Dana Andrews movies?  How about the worst Dana Andrews movies?  Curious about Dana Andrews box office grosses or which Dana Andrews movie picked up the most Oscar® nominations? Need to know which Dana Andrews movie got the best reviews from critics and audiences and which got the worst reviews? Well you have come to the right place….because we have all of that information.

Dana Andrews (1909-1992) was an American actor whose career lasted almost 50 years.  Andrews was one of the biggest stars in the 1940s….appearing in 18 $100 million (adjusted gross) box office hits from 1940 to 1949.  His IMDb page shows 104 acting credits from 1940-1984. This page will rank Dana Andrews movies from Best to Worst in six different sortable columns of information. Television shows, shorts, cameos and movies that were not released in theaters were not included in the rankings.

Drivel part of the page:  We have been getting requests for a Dana Andrews page for years now.  The length of his career and the many low budget movies pretty much scared us away….but….we finally a Dana Andrews UMR page.  Sorry for the delay:  SteinHOF, Hinton66, Flora, Bob, Pierre, Lyle and anybody else that has made this request over the last three or four years.

Dana Andrews in 1946’s The Best Years Of Our Lives

Dana Andrews Movies Ranked In Chronological Order With Ultimate Movie Rankings Score (1 to 5 UMR Tickets) *Best combo of box office, reviews and awards.

Dana Andrews Movies Can Be Ranked 6 Ways In This Table

The really cool thing about this table is that it is “user-sortable”. Rank the movies anyway you want.

  • Sort Dana Andrews movies by co-stars of his movies.
  • Sort Dana Andrews movies by adjusted domestic box office grosses using current movie ticket cost (in millions)
  • Sort Dana Andrews movies by yearly domestic box office rank
  • Sort Dana Andrews movies how they were received by critics and audiences.  60% rating or higher should indicate a good movie.
  • Sort by how many Oscar® nominations each Dana Andrews movie received and how many Oscar® wins each Dana Andrews movie won.
  • Sort Dana Andrews movies by Ultimate Movie Rankings (UMR) Score.  UMR Score puts box office, reviews and awards into a mathematical equation and gives each movie a score.
Dana Andrews in 1944’s Laura

Ten Possibly Interesting Facts About Dana Andrews

1. Carver Dana Andrews was born near Collins, Mississippi in 1909.

2. Dana Andrews worked at a gas station near Los Angeles while waiting for his big show business break.  In 1940 after 9 years he appeared in his first movie.  He appeared in 4 movies that with Gary Cooper’s The Westerner being the most famous.

3. Dana Andrews was a trained opera singer.  He rarely got to use his singing voice on screen. It can be heard in 1943’s The North Star….but he is dubbed in his 1945 musical State Fair.

3. Dana Andrews and Gene Tierney appeared in 5 movies together.  Their 5 movies grossed over $635 million in adjusted domestic box office…..that included 4 movies that crossed the $100 million gross mark.  Their most famous together is 1944’s Laura.

4. Dana Andrews was never nominated for an Oscar® or a Golden Globe®….actually on IMDb.com…the only award listed is the Golden Apple Award for Most Cooperative Actor.  That seems a shame.

5. Dana Andrews career domestic adjusted box office is $5.82 billion.  From 1940 to 1949, Andrews appeared in 30 movies that grossed $3.94 billion or $132.52 million per movie.  From 1950 to 1980 he appeared in 39 movies that grossed $2.03 billion or $52.05 million per movie.

6. After not appearing in a movie in 1962, 1963 and 1964…Dana Andrews appeared in 8 movies in 1965.

7. Dana Andrews was married twice…..he had four children.

8. Dana Andrews was the older brother of actor Steve “Mommie Dearest” Forrest.  Dana was 16 years older than Steve.  Steve and Dana appeared together in one film….1951’s Sealed Cargo.

9. Dana Andrews was president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) from 1963-65.

10. Check out Dana Andrews’ career compared to current and classic actors.  Most 100 Million Dollar Movies of All-Time.

And finally…..we have adjusted Worldwide Box Office Grosses on 9 Dana Andrews Movies

  1. Ball of Fire (1941) $256.30 million in adjusted worldwide gross
  2. The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) $859.60 million in adjusted worldwide gross
  3. Canyon Passage (1946) $266.80 million in adjusted worldwide gross
  4. Edge Of Doom (1950) $58.40 million in adjusted worldwide gross
  5. Night Song (1947) $96.60 million in adjusted worldwide gross
  6. No Minor Vices (1948) $35.60 million in adjusted worldwide gross
  7. The North Star (1943) $244.10 million in adjusted worldwide gross
  8. Sealed Cargo (1951) $57.70 million in adjusted worldwide gross
  9. Strange Lady In Town (1955) $121.60 million in adjusted worldwide gross

Academy Award®, Tony® and Oscar® are the registered trademarks of the Academy of Motion Arts and Sciences.

Editor’s note:  Calculating adjusted is not an exact science.  Most of our calculations are based on solid sources that we have collected over the years.  In this page we have some great sources for almost all of Dana Andrews’ movies from 1940 to about 1954. After 1955…our sources get a little shaky on some of his movies…as we had to use biographies, movie books, articles and other sources that do not provide the best statistics.   So please keep that in mind when you are looking at the grosses of some of his low budget B movies.

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60 thoughts on “Dana Andrews Movies”

  1. Hello Bruce.
    Better late than never. Thanks for this great page on Dana Andrews. My favorite Andrews films are The Best Years of Our Lives (1946), A Walk in the Sun (1945), Ball of Fire (1941), Night of the Demon (1957) and Canyon Passage (1946). Dana Andrews also had a small part in the 1975 western “Take a Hard Ride” which starred Jim Brown and Fred Williamson as well as Lee Van Cleef. Do you have any idea of how much “Take a Hard Ride” made at the Box Office.
    Thanks again Bruce.

    Reply

    1. Hey Lyle. Thanks for the kind words about this page. Looks like most of the Andrews movies that you like the best are from his peak years in the 1940s. With Curse of the Demon being made in 1957. I have been a fan of that movie ever since Danny Peary featured it one of his Cult Movie books. As for Take A Hard Ride….nope..I have nothing on that movie…..I know it did not reach 1 million in rentals…so the gross is low…just not sure how low. I have researched that movie twice now….once for this page and once for a Lee Van Cleef post. Struck out both times.

      Reply

  2. 1 In the 1950 my heroes were mostly the western movie stars but away from that genre Dana was one of those performers who always appealed to me.. He had I think mainly a bottom of A list/top of B list status depending on where you draw the line and certainly as the 1950s wore on he was largely confined at least in lead roles to low budget movies usually on one half or another of a double bill and in the sixties he inevitably ended up in the A C Lyles ‘graveyard’ in cheaply made westerns such as Town Tamer and Johnny Reno.

    2 In his declining years Dana suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and was apparently often visited in a convalescent home by his friend Burt Lancaster and ironically it was during one of those visits that reportedly Burt collapsed in front of Dana with a stroke that was the beginning of Burt’s severe decline in health.

    3 Anyway I am well pleased with this overall profile of Dana, an actor whom I found very relaxing to watch. My favourite Andrews movies were Laura, Where the Sidewalk Ends, While the City Sleeps, Zero Hour, Beyond a Reasonable Doubt and a little known suspense western called Three Hours to Kill all which collectively get mixed critic/audience ratings above though they all fare very well critically over on IMDB. I was never over-fond of Best Years of Our Lives and although I admired March’s acting in it the movie appealed to me chiefly because of Dana’ presence.

    Reply

    1. Hey Bob.
      1. It seems like you found Dana as his career was on the downward slide….as after the 1940s his peak days were behind him.
      2. I agree he is a very natural actor….he seems to have the Spencer Tracy ability or appearing to be an ordinary joe who just happens to star in movies.
      3. A.C. Lyles is everywhere now….and before you mentioned him…I was completely unaware of him. I was looking at the career of Howard Keel….and even the music man ended up in an A.C. Lyles movie.
      4. I read that he had Alzheimer’s…..what a shame…..but it was surrounded by his family….which is the way to go….in my mind.
      5. I remember your Andrews/Lancaster story from a previous post…..RIP Burt and Dana.
      6. Of the favorite Andrews movies that you list…I have only seen Laura….but I want to see Zero Hour.
      7, Best Years Of Our Lives is a good movie….but not a movie that I want to re-watch. In my mind it is like Schlinder’s List….I liked Schlinder’s List…..I feel the story is important….but it was a one and done movie for me…..and I might not ever watch it again….hey that is an idea for a movie page….”One and Done”.
      8. So I was researching some of the requests out there…..on Clifton Webb movies…..excluding his silent movies….all but one of his movies are on the Variety Top Grossers. On Donna Reed…I have 29 of her 39 movies already in my database….and Howard Keel is off to a great start as I have 18 of his first 19 movies in my database…..pretty sure I will get them done real soon….and pretty sure at least one of them was a suggestion from you.
      As always….I greatly appreciate your visit and comment.

      Reply

      1. HI BRUCE

        1 Thanks for your further comments on Dana Andrews. Let Steve pat himself on the back all he wants for me you are the real Creator on this site. Historically the name for someone who is seeking to claim the throne away from it’s existing King is called a Pretender. So I think that from now on I’ll regard Steve as The Pretender.

        2 I agree with you when you equate Schlnder’s List with Best Years of Our Lives. Both were intelligent well-acted movies of fine technical merit but certainly for me not as entertaining as say The Searchers Psycho or The Godfather. I went to see La La Land and it was enjoyable but it too is not a movie I would be interested in seeing again.

        3 Regarding Dana’s slide in the 1950s, he he gave a lecturer to university students in which he explained the workings of the Hollywood production systems and talked about stars’ salaries and in one part of the lecture he said that producers often used lesser lights like him as a pawn when casting prestige movies. For example he said they would pretend to offer him a plumb role when they really wanted say Sinatra, Brando or Clift and on the most favourable terms. They would then approach those three in turn and tell them that Dana Andrews was ready to come on board if they didn’t quickly sign a contract.

        4 I have just been been watching a 1989 episode of Murder She Wrote the 1984-1996 TV crime series starring Angela Lansbury and in it were 4 prominent actresses from the 1950s – Julia Adams and Ruth Roman [Jimmy Stewart’s leading ladies in Bend of the River and The Far Country respectively] Kathryn Grayson [Lanza’s co-star in That Midnight Kiss and Toast of New Orleans] **and Gloria De Haven who was Tony Curtis’ co-star in So This is Paris. Sadly all had lost their former great beauty and had long been well in the clutches of the “curse of 39” and it gave one the eerie sensation of watching an A C Lyles movie.

        **it might interest John to know that when Lanza signed for those two films Kathryn was already an established major star who had done musicals for years such as Anchors Aweigh with Gene Kelly and Sinatra but that didn’t stop Mario from demanding top billing a demand that was not met. Switching to Dan mode I can do a join-up by mentioning that in Kiss Me Kate [a musical version of Taming of the Shrew] Kathryn was partnered by Howard Keel to whom you now appear to be turning your attentions. .

        Reply

        1. Hey Bob.
          1. I might have to bow toSteve as the Creator…..his output is way more than mine….his You Tube channel probably produces more new material than UMR….but that is just one of his websites….his poster page is massive…his Hub Page account is still producing results…..he is a machine…he does not sleep….he does not eat…he won’t stop until he kills Sarah Connor….wait hold on….got carried away..lol.
          2. I agree with you about La La Land….WoC even liked it less than me….so it will probably join Schindler’s List and Best Years as one and done Best Picture Oscar Winners. 14 Oscar nominations is pretty incredible.
          3. Good Dana story…sounds like he was a pawn in that chess game.
          4. I have noticed when doing these pages on classic stars…many ended up on shows like The Love Boat and Murder She Wrote….I used to watch the Love Boat all the time….and I never really paid attention to the older actors….I think now I would really notice them.
          As always…thanks for sharing all of this movie knowledge.

          Reply

          1. HI BRUCE

            1 You will have grasped by now that I am a great fan and admirer of Steve’s work ON HIS OWN SITES.

            2 However my point was that on the Cogerson site YOU should be regarded as The Creator. Neither Steve nor I should want to prove Jesus’ words in Mark 6:4 when he said “A prophet in not without honour except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household,”

            3 I am sure though that Steve will be touched by your generosity in giving him credit and he well be thinking “Your stats I may forget but your kindness NEVER!”

          2. Thanks Bruce.

            We’re moving house so it might be a few days before I make another video. I will be popping in here to see what’s new.

          3. Thanks Bob, I’m glad you’re enjoying the videos. Hundreds more are planned including some nearly forgotten cowboy heroes of yore. B-movie legends only a few remember, we few, we happy few, we band of brothers…. Cry havoc! And let slip the dogs of war!

          6. Hey Steve…..well that will keep you busy for a long time….looking forward to your future videos.

  3. I have seen 26 Dana Andrews movies. Love My Foolish Heart the most. Loved him as an actor. Canyon Passage is one I liked as well. Good page as usual.

    Reply

    1. Hey Bern1960…..your 26 Dana Andrews movie watched is one of the best totals out there.

      Flora/Canada….27 Dana movies watched
      Bern1960/Canada….26 Dana movies watched
      Lupino/Germany…..26 Dana movies watched
      Steve/England…..16 Dana movies watched
      Cogerson/USA….14 Dana movies watched
      Laurent/France…..10 Dana movies watched

      My Foolish Heart one of your favorites? I guess I could have guessed that by looking at the co-star…Susan Hayward. Thanks for the visit, the comment and the tally count.

      Reply

  4. Thanks for completing my request on Dana Andrews, Bruce.

    TCM recently had a Dana Andrews night and I was able to add a couple more films to my seen list.The new to me films were Boomerang and Fallen Angel.

    The highest rated film I’ve seen is Number 1: The Best Years of Our Lives.

    The highest rated film I have NOT seen is A Wing and a Prayer.

    The lowest rated film I have seen is Hot Rods to Hell.

    Overall, I have seen 27 Dana Andrews films.

    My favourite films are:

    The Best Years of Our Lives
    Laura
    The Ox-Bow Incident
    While the City Sleeps
    State Fair

    Thanks again.

    Reply

    1. Hey Flora
      1. Thanks for the visit and the comment….both are greatly appreciated.
      2. Wow….your recent viewings of Boomerang and Fallen Angel put you over the top in our tally contest….as going from 25 to 27 got you from 3rd to 1st.
      3. Tally counts
      Flora/Canada….27 Dana movies watched
      Bern1960/Canada….26 Dana movies watched
      Lupino/Germany…..26 Dana movies watched
      Steve/England…..16 Dana movies watched
      Cogerson/USA….14 Dana movies watched
      Laurent/France…..10 Dana movies watched
      4. Wow…..you have seen Hot Rods to Hell too…..I had never even heard of this movie before earlier this week….now I have to see this movie.
      5. I have seen and enjoyed the Top 3 movies you list….I have not seen While The City Sleeps or State Fair.
      🙂

      Reply

  5. Dana Andrews- another almost forgotten name today, at least here in Germany. Of the above listed, I’ve seen 26 movies, with Laura, Best Years,Fallen Angel, Boomerang, Beyond a reasonable Doubt, Swamp Water my favs. Ball of Fire is a favorite, too, but for reasons other than Dana. And yes, I have seen some of his 60’s movies and agree about Hot Rods…seeing is believing 😉 Otherwise, quite an impressive career in the 40’s, good box office, some good directors and gorgeous leading Ladies, too!

    Reply

    1. Hey Lupino.
      1. I think it is safe to say that Dana Andrews is an almost forgotten name here in the states as well….his peak was easily the 1940s….which was close to 80 years ago.
      2. Tally counts…you are tied for second place
      Flora/Canada….27 Dana movies watched
      Bern1960/Canada….26 Dana movies watched
      Lupino/Germany…..26 Dana movies watched
      Steve/England…..16 Dana movies watched
      Cogerson/USA….14 Dana movies watched
      Laurent/France…..10 Dana movies watched
      3. Wow….I have not seen too many of your favorites….but I enjoyed Best Years, Laura and Ball of Fire….Ball of Fire does not get enough credit these days…one of the few comic Gary Cooper roles I liked.
      4. Hot Rods has now been mentioned a few times…..I guess I am going to have to find that one…that is now the third time that movie has surprised me…..first when it made the Variety Top Grosser chart and that it has been mentioned in two comments already.
      5. I agree….the man had a very good career.
      Good comment from you!

      Reply

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