Arthur Shields: A Multi-Talented Actor with a Rich Career
Arthur Shields, though less well-known than his brother Barry Fitzgerald, was a talented actor with over twice as many film roles in his career. Shields joined the renowned Dublin Abbey Theater in 1914, where he performed and also directed plays. He had already dabbled in Irish film in 1910, with two notable examples in 1918.
Shields' family was Protestant Nationalist, and he fought in the Easter Uprising of 1916, where he was captured and imprisoned in a camp in North Wales. After his release, he came to the United States in late 1918 and helped bring Irish comedy and drama to Broadway.
Shields continued to appear on Broadway for over 24 plays until 1941, reviving two Abbey Theater favorites from Sean O'Casey, "The Plough and the Stars" and "Juno and the Paycock." In 1936, he played the pivotal role of Padraic Pearse in the film version of "The Plough and the Stars," directed by John Ford.
By early 1939, Shields had finished his concentration on Broadway and found Ford eager to offer him a part in the Revolutionary period adventure "Drums Along the Mohawk" as the matter-of-fact pioneer minister Rev. Rosenkrantz. Shields would go on to play ministers, reverends, and priests throughout his career, bringing an individual humanity to each role.
Throughout the 1940s, Shields was in demand as a character actor, taking on a wide range of roles, including Irish and non-Irish characters. He appeared in several of Ford's most memorable films, including "How Green Was My Valley" and "The Quiet Man."
In "The Quiet Man," Shields played the role of Reverend Dr. Playfair, a uniquely sympathetic cleric who convinces John Wayne's character to continue his new life in Ireland. Shields' performance in the film was widely praised, and it remains one of his most iconic roles.
In the 1950s, Shields continued to appear in films, but most of his time was spent in television. He became a familiar face on episodic TV, taking on a variety of roles, including Westerns. With a career spanning nearly 100 memorable acting endeavors, Arthur Shields left a lasting impact on the world of entertainment.
