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Roy Del Ruth

Roy Del Ruth

Director, also producer · Died April 27, 1961, aged 67 · New Castle, Delaware, USA

​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Roy Del Ruth (October 18, 1893 – April 27, 1961) was a Hollywood film director. Del Ruth, who started out as a screenwriter in 1915 writing gags for Mack Sennett, began directing feature films in the 1920s. He became known for directing urban and crime dramas including the 1931 version of The Maltese Falcon. He also directed the universally panned The Babe Ruth Story (1948) and the 20th Century Fox B-movie Alligator People (1959). Roy Del Ruth died in 1961 at age 67 and was interred in the San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills, Los Angeles, California. For his contributions to the motion picture industry, he was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6150 Hollywood Blvd. Description above from the Wikipedia article Roy Del Ruth, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
October 18, 1893
Died
April 27, 1961 (aged 67)
From
New Castle, Delaware, USA
Works as
Director, also producer
Titles
35 on MovieCove · 106 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 13% in 30 days

What are Roy Del Ruth's films like?

Across their 35 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Comedy27 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 65th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 59th percentile
: browse their Crime movies
Musical2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 54th percentile
: browse their Musical movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
42%
Morality
25%
Self
20%
Power
5%
Society
3%
Survival
2%
Ideas
2%
Romantic love20 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception11 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition10 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds6 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 35 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 28 · Serious 5 · Dark 2

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 10 · Stylized 22 · Heightened 3

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 16 · Charged 16 · Intense 3

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 22 · Shifting 10 · Whiplash 3

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 5 · Some laughs 13 · Funny 17

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 15 · Even-paced 13 · Relentless 7

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 27 · Engaged 8 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 33 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 0

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
23
Romantic
16
Tense
10
Warm
10
Absurd
7
Other
23

How their films linger

Feel-good23 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun24 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy25
  • Bittersweet9
  • Tragic1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Roy Del Ruth's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 10 of their 35 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on HBO Max (6).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Roy Del Ruth's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

106 credits, 35 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Why Must I Die (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Director

  • Adventures in Paradise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • The Alligator People(1959)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Richard Diamond, Private Detective (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • The 20th Century Fox Hour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Phantom of the Rue Morgue(1954)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Three Sailors and a Girl(1953)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Stop, You're Killing Me(1952)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Here We Go Again (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Director

  • About Face(1952)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Starlift (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Director

  • On Moonlight Bay(1951)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • The West Point Story(1950)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Always Leave Them Laughing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    Director

  • Red Light(1949)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • The Babe Ruth Story(1948)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • It Happened on Fifth Avenue(1947)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Ziegfeld Follies(1945)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Barbary Coast Gent (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    Director

  • Broadway Rhythm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    Director

  • Du Barry Was a Lady(1943)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • I Married an Angel(1942)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Maisie Gets Her Man(1942)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Panama Hattie(1942)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • The Chocolate Soldier(1941)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Topper Returns(1941)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • He Married His Wife(1940)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Dance, Girl, Dance(1940)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Here I Am a Stranger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    Director

  • The Star Maker (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    Director

  • Tail Spin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    Director

  • My Lucky Star (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    Director

  • Happy Landing(1938)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Broadway Melody of 1938(1937)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • On the Avenue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    Director

  • Born to Dance(1936)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Private Number (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    Director

  • It Had to Happen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    Director

  • Thanks a Million (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    Director

  • Broadway Melody of 1936(1935)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Folies Bergère (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    Director

  • Folies Bergère de Paris(1935)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Kid Millions(1934)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back(1934)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Upperworld (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    Director

  • Lady Killer(1933)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Bureau of Missing Persons(1933)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Captured! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    Director

  • The Little Giant(1933)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • The Mind Reader(1933)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Employees' Entrance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    Director

  • Blessed Event(1932)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Winner Take All (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    Director · Producer

  • Beauty and the Boss(1932)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Taxi(1931)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Side Show(1931)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Blonde Crazy(1931)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • The Maltese Falcon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1931)

    Director

  • My Past (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1931)

    Director

  • Divorce Among Friends (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1930)

    Director

  • The Life of the Party (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1930)

    Director

  • Three Faces East (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1930)

    Director

  • The Second Floor Mystery (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1930)

    Director

  • Hold Everything (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1930)

    Director

  • The Aviator (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    Director

  • Gold Diggers of Broadway (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    Director

  • The Hottentot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    Director

  • The Desert Song (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    Director

  • Conquest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1928)

    Director

  • Beware of Bachelors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1928)

    Director

  • The Terror (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1928)

    Director

  • Five and Ten Cent Annie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1928)

    Director

  • Powder My Back (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1928)

    Director

  • If I Were Single (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1927)

    Director

  • Ham and Eggs at the Front (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1927)

    Director

  • The First Auto (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1927)

    Director

  • Wolf's Clothing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1927)

    Director

  • Across the Pacific (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)

    Director

  • Footloose Widows (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)

    Director

  • The Little Irish Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)

    Director

  • The Man Upstairs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)

    Director

  • Hogan's Alley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    Director

  • Three Weeks in Paris (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    Director

  • Eve's Lover (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    Director

  • A Deep Sea Panic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    Director

  • His New Mamma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    Director

  • The Cat's Meow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    Director

  • The Hollywood Kid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    Director

  • Shanghaied Lovers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    Director

  • Smile Please (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    Director

  • Flip Flops (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    Director

  • One Cylinder Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    Writer

  • Asleep at the Switch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    Director

  • Skylarking (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    Director

  • Nip and Tuck (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    Director

  • When Summer Comes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    Director

  • Gymnasium Jim (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    Director

  • On Patrol (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    Director

  • The Duck Hunter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    Director

  • Bright Eyes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1921)

    Director

  • Be Reasonable (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1921)

    Director

  • Love and Doughnuts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1921)

    Director

  • Hard Knocks and Love Taps (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1921)

    Director

  • His Noisy Still (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    Director

  • The Heart Snatcher (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    Director

  • Wife and Auto Trouble (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1916)

    Scenario Writer

Career shape

A full career of 104 titles from 1916 to 1960.

Biggest box office

Broadway Melody of 1936 (1935)

$6.3M worldwide

Highest rated

It Happened on Fifth Avenue (1947)

Midcredits 93rd

Most popular right now

Ziegfeld Follies (1945)

By role

only this rolewith another role
Directing102 of 104: 98 only directing, 4 with another role · typical Midcredits score59thWriting2 of 104: 2 only writing, 0 with another roleProducing4 of 104: 0 only producing, 4 with another role

104 titles, 4 with more than one role — directing and producing overlap on 4 of them.

By decade

1910s1 · crew1920s41 · crew1930s36 · crew1940s13 · crew1950s12 · crew1960s1 · crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

How do Roy Del Ruth's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 59th percentile, the median of all 35; across their 35 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 60th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

60thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 35

Approval · how many liked their films

58thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 35

Reach · how many have seen their films

40thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 35

Midcredits score across 35 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up7
  • 50th to 74th15
  • 25th to 49th10
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

20 of their 35 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved1
  • Crowd Pleaser20
  • Broadly Agreed4
  • Mixed10

Most divisive · director

I Married an Angel (1942)

55th percentile spread · 22% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · director, producer

It Happened on Fifth Avenue (1947)

Midcredits 93rd · 85% liked

Reviewers score the atmosphere 64/100 and the pacing 52/100 in their films, across 35 reviewed titles. The element that speaks to their work as a director.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Roy Del Ruth work with?

People who share at least 2 of Roy Del Ruth's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Ray June shares the most, 5.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers