McConnell began acting in two-reel comedies and Westerns for Universal in 1924. Her film career lasted about four years from the late silent to early sound era. She sometimes used the professional name Gladys Morrow. One of her first parts came in "The Devil Horse" (1926). The film featured Rex the Wonder Horse, a stallion featured in at least 15 films. She starred with Harry Langdon in "Three's A Crowd" (1927) and in "The Chaser" (1928), as Langdon's talkative wife. She broke ties with the Fox Film Company over differences over her roles, choosing to freelance instead. She also made serials for Pathé Exchange.