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George Waggner

George Waggner

Writer, director, producer and actor · Died December 11, 1984, aged 90 · New York City, New York, USA

George Waggner  (September 7, 1894 - December 11, 1984) was an American film director, producer and actor. Born in New York City, he made his film debut as Yousayef in The Sheik (1921). He later went on to appearances in Western films. The first film he directed was Western Trails (1938) and his most well-known directorial effort arguably remains The Wolf Man (1941). In the 1960s, he directed episodes of the television series Maverick, Batman, The Green Hornet, and The Man from U.N.C.L.E.. He also directed John Wayne and Oliver Hardy wearing coonskin caps in The Fighting Kentuckian (1949), in which his daughter, Shy Waggner, appeared in a cameo. Waggner's career in film declined in the 1950s, due to the popularity of television, and he eventually moved to television late in the decade. Many of his television credits, such as Maverick and Batman, have his name spelled as "george waGGner." He also directed Red Nightmare, a Cold War propaganda film produced by the Department of Defense and narrated by Jack Webb. Waggner wrote the film Queen of the Yukon with Jack London. His wife was Danny Shannon. The couple had only one child, Shy, born in 1924. and two grandchildren Sherry and Robert. Description above from the Wikipedia article George Waggner, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
September 7, 1894
Died
December 11, 1984 (aged 90)
From
New York City, New York, USA
Works as
Writer, director, producer and actor
Titles
36 on MovieCove · 104 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 6% in 30 days

What are George Waggner's films like?

Across their 31 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Drama12 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 40th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Adventure7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 33rd percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 36th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 21st percentile
: browse their Action movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 30th percentile
: browse their Crime movies
Horror2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 54th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Horror 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
Morality
33%
Bonds
23%
Power
14%
Self
10%
Survival
9%
Society
9%
Ideas
1%
Justice10 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love8 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity8 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception7 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption5 titles, browse their movies with this themeGreed4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 30 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 17 · Serious 9 · Dark 4

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 15 · Stylized 12 · Heightened 3

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

Gentle 10 · Charged 17 · Intense 3

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

Steady 19 · Shifting 11 · Whiplash 0

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 18 · Some laughs 9 · Funny 3

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

Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 20 · Relentless 2

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

Casual 19 · Engaged 11 · Full focus 0

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

Resolved 29 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
20
Thrilling
13
Romantic
11
Dread
6
Melancholic
9
Other
28

How their films linger

Fun15 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 7 with a twist

  • Happy20
  • Bittersweet7
  • Tragic3
  • Ambiguous1

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 George Waggner's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 19 of their 36 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (10).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for George Waggner'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

104 credits, 36 with a MovieCove page.

  • The Green Hornet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Batman(1966)

    Show 10 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • The Man from U.N.C.L.E.(1964)

    Show 7 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Red Nightmare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Director

  • Fury River (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Director

  • The Roaring 20's (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 7 episodes · Director

  • Surfside 6 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 6 episodes · Director

  • Mission of Danger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Director

  • 77 Sunset Strip (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 44 episodes · Director

  • Bronco (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Northwest Passage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

  • Destination Nightmare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Director

  • Jack the Ripper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Director

  • Man from God's Country(1958)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • The Veil(1958)

    Show 4 episodes · Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Maverick(1957)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Pawnee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Director · Writer

  • Destination 60,000 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Director · Writer

  • Code 3(1957)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • O. Henry Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · Director · Writer

  • The O. Henry Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 2 episodes · Director · Writer

  • Telephone Time (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

  • The Sword of Villon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Director

  • Arroyo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Director

  • Crossroads (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Screen Director's Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · Director · as Self

  • Cheyenne(1955)

    Show 7 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Return from the Sea (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Writer

  • The Lone Wolf (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 8 episodes · Director

  • Bitter Creek(1954)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Operation Pacific(1951)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • The Fargo Phantom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Story

  • The Fighting Kentuckian(1949)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Gunfighters(1947)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Sweetheart of Sigma Chi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    Original Story

  • Tangier (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    Director

  • Shady Lady (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    Director

  • Frisco Sal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    Director · Producer

  • The Climax(1944)

    Director · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Gypsy Wildcat(1944)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Cobra Woman(1944)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Phantom of the Opera(1943)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • White Savage(1943)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man(1943)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Invisible Agent(1942)

    Associate Producer

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • The Ghost of Frankenstein(1942)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Sealed Lips(1942)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • The Wolf Man(1941)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Flying Cadets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    Screenplay

  • South of Tahiti (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    Director · Producer

  • Badlands of Dakota (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    Associate Producer

  • Father Steps Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    Screenplay

  • Horror Island(1941)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Man Made Monster(1941)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Phantom of Chinatown(1940)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Drums of the Desert (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Queen of the Yukon(1940)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Laughing at Danger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    Screenplay · Story

  • On the Spot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    Screenplay · Story

  • The Fatal Hour(1940)

    Adaptation

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Son of the Navy(1940)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Sky Patrol (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    Screenplay

  • Oklahoma Terror(1939)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Stunt Pilot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    Director · Writer

  • Wolf Call(1939)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Mystery Plane (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    Director · Screenplay

  • The Phantom Stage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Honor of the West (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    Director · Screenplay · Story

  • Ghost Town Riders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    Director · Writer

  • Prairie Justice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    Director · Writer

  • Guilty Trails(1938)

    Director · Original Story · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Black Bandit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    Director · Writer

  • Outlaw Express(1938)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Western Trails (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Air Devils (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    Screenplay

  • State Police (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    Original Story · Screenplay

  • Midnight Intruder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    Screenplay

  • The Spy Ring (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    Screenplay

  • Idol of the Crowds (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    Screenplay · Story

  • I Cover the War! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    Screenplay

  • Sea Spoilers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    Screenplay

  • Don’t Get Personal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    Screenplay

  • Cappy Ricks Returns (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    Screenplay

  • Cheers of the Crowd(1935)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Champagne for Breakfast (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    Screenplay

  • The Keeper of the Bees (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    Writer

  • The Healer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    Writer

  • Dizzy Dames (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    Screenplay

  • The Cowboy Millionaire(1935)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • The Nut Farm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    Writer

  • Girl o' My Dreams (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    Screenplay · Story

  • The Line-Up (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    Screenplay

  • City Limits (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    Screenplay

  • He Couldn't Take It (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    Additional Dialogue

  • The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    Story

  • Gorilla Ship(1932)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Flying Fool (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    Lyricist

  • Love's Blindness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)

    as Oscar Issacson

  • The Iron Horse(1924)

    as Buffalo Bill

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • His Hour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    as Sasha Basmanoff

  • Desert Driven (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    as Craydon

  • Branded Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    Actor

  • The Great Alone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    as Bradley Carstairs (as George Waggoner)

  • The Sheik(1921)

    as Yousaef - Tribal Chieftain (as George Waggener)

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

Career shape

A full career of 103 titles from 1921 to 1966.

Biggest box office

The Wolf Man (1941)

$1.7K worldwide

Highest rated

The Wolf Man (1941)

Midcredits 86th

Film career

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting7 of 103: 7 only acting, 0 with another roleDirecting51 of 103: 28 only directing, 23 with another role · typical Midcredits score53rdWriting55 of 103: 36 only writing, 19 with another role · typical Midcredits score24thProducing12 of 103: 8 only producing, 4 with another role · typical Midcredits score36thOther crew1 of 103: 1 only other crew, 0 with another role

103 titles, 23 with more than one role — writing and directing overlap on 19 of them.

By decade

1920s8 · 7 acting · 1 crew1930s35 · crew1940s28 · crew1950s24 · crew1960s8 · 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 George Waggner's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 36th percentile, the median of all 30; across their 30 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 42nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

42ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 30

Approval · how many liked their films

29thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 30

Reach · how many have seen their films

37thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 30

Midcredits score across 36 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up5
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th12
  • Below 25th10

Shape of the crowd

13 of their 36 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved1
  • Universally Panned1
  • Crowd Pleaser13
  • Broadly Agreed8
  • Mixed13

Most divisive · director, writer

Guilty Trails (1938)

58th percentile spread · 39% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · director, producer

The Wolf Man (1941)

Midcredits 86th · 76% liked

Reviewers score the dialogue 44/100 and the plot and story 43/100 in their films, across 28 reviewed titles. The element that speaks to their work as a writer.

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.

Is George Waggner's work okay for kids?

Across up to 5 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity runs lighter than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 28 · mildMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity5 titles0–15 · median 3 · minimallighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 0 · minimalMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 17 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 29 · mildMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does George Waggner work with?

People who share at least 2 of George Waggner's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Russell F. Schoengarth shares the most, 7.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers