Francis Ford (born Francis Joseph Feeney; August 14, 1881 – September 5, 1953) was an American film actor, writer and director. He was the mentor and elder brother of film director

John Ford John Martin Feeney (February 1, 1894 – August 31, 1973), better known as John Ford, was an American film director and producer. He is regarded as one of the most important and influential filmmakers during the Golden Age of Hollywood, and w ...

. As an actor, director and producer, he was one of the first filmmakers in Hollywood. He also appeared in many of his brother John's movies as a character actor, including '' The Informer'' (1935), '' Young Mr. Lincoln'' (1939), and ''

The Quiet Man ''The Quiet Man'' is a 1952 American romantic comedy drama film directed and produced by John Ford, and starring John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Victor McLaglen, Barry Fitzgerald, Arthur Shields and Ward Bond. The screenplay by Frank S. Nugent ...

'' (1952). He gave a memorable performance as one of the men who are lynched in ''

The Ox-Bow Incident ''The Ox-Bow Incident'' is a 1943 American Western film directed by William A. Wellman, starring Henry Fonda, Dana Andrews and Mary Beth Hughes, with Anthony Quinn, William Eythe, Harry Morgan and Jane Darwell. Two cowboys arrive in a We ...

''.

Biography

He was born Francis Joseph Feeney in

Portland, Maine Portland is the List of municipalities in Maine, most populous city in the U.S. state of Maine and the county seat, seat of Cumberland County, Maine, Cumberland County. Portland's population was 68,408 at the 2020 census. The Portland metropolit ...

on August 14, 1881, the son of John Augustine Feeney and Barbara "Abbey" Curran. An Irish immigrant, John Feeney was born in the village of

Spiddal Spiddal, also known as Spiddle (Irish language, Irish and official name: , , meaning 'the hospital'), is a village on the shore of Galway Bay in County Galway, Ireland. It is west of Galway city, on the R336 road (Ireland), R336 road. It is o ...

County Galway County Galway ( ; ) is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is in the Northern and Western Region, taking up the south of the Provinces of Ireland, province of Connacht. The county population was 276,451 at the 20 ...

, Ireland, on June 15, 1854. By 1878, John had moved to Portland, Maine, and opened a saloon, at 42 Center Street, that used a false front to pose as grocery store. John opened four others in following years. Francis Feeney served in the

United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the primary Land warfare, land service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is designated as the Army of the United States in the United States Constitution.Article II, section 2, clause 1 of th ...

in the

Spanish–American War The Spanish–American War (April 21 – August 13, 1898) was fought between Restoration (Spain), Spain and the United States in 1898. It began with the sinking of the USS Maine (1889), USS ''Maine'' in Havana Harbor in Cuba, and resulted in the ...

but was sent home for being underage. Leaving Portland, he drifted into the film business in New York City, working for

David Horsley David Horsley (March 11, 1873 – February 23, 1933) was an English-American pioneer of the film industry. He founded the Centaur Film Company and its West Coast branch, the Nestor Film Company, which established the first film studio in Holl ...

and

Al Christie Charles Herbert Christie (April 13, 1882 – October 1, 1955) and Alfred Ernest Christie (November 23, 1886 – April 14, 1951) were Canadian motion picture entrepreneurs. Early life Charles Herbert Christie was born between April 13, ...

. Moving to Texas, he was part of the

Star Film Company The Manufacture de Films pour Cinématographes, often known as Star Film, was a French film production company run by the illusionist and film director Georges Méliès. History On 28 December 1895, Méliès attended the celebrated first publi ...

's San Antonio operation under

Gaston Méliès Gaston Méliès (; February 12, 1852 – April 9, 1915) was a French film director who worked primarily in the United States. He was the brother of the film director Georges Méliès. Biography Gaston and the third and elder Méliès brother, ...

. Feeney adopted his

stage name A stage name or professional name is a pseudonym used by performers, authors, and entertainers—such as actors, comedians, singers, and musicians. The equivalent concept among writers is called a ''nom de plume'' (pen name). Some performers ...

"Ford" from the automobile. Moving to Los Angeles from San Antonio, Francis began his Hollywood career working for Thomas H. Ince at Ince's Bison studio, directing and appearing in westerns.

Work

Ambitious and prolific, in Ford's early work he cast himself as

George Armstrong Custer George Armstrong Custer (December 5, 1839 – June 25, 1876) was a United States Army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and the American Indian Wars. Custer graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point ...

Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes () is a Detective fiction, fictional detective created by British author Arthur Conan Doyle. Referring to himself as a "Private investigator, consulting detective" in his stories, Holmes is known for his proficiency with obser ...

(with his younger brother as Dr. Watson) and

Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was the 16th president of the United States, serving from 1861 until Assassination of Abraham Lincoln, his assassination in 1865. He led the United States through the American Civil War ...

, a role in which he specialized. By 1912, Ford was directing alongside Thomas Ince. It rapidly became clear that Ince was routinely taking credit for Ford's work, so in 1913, Ford moved over to the Universal Film Manufacturing Co., a movie studio founded by

Carl Laemmle Carl Laemmle (; born Karl Lämmle ; January 17, 1867 – September 24, 1939) was a German-American film producer and the co-founder and, until 1934, owner of Universal Pictures. He produced or worked on over 400 films. Regarded as one of the ...

the previous year. His 1913 ''

Lucille Love, Girl of Mystery ''Lucille Love, Girl of Mystery'' is a 1914 American action film serial directed by Francis Ford. It was the first serial by Universal. It was originally intended to be a short subject. The serial is now considered to be lost with only four e ...

'' was Universal's first serial, and the first of a string of very popular serials starring Ford's collaborator and lover

Grace Cunard Grace Cunard (born Harriet Mildred Jeffries; April 8, 1893 – January 19, 1967) was an American actress, screenwriter and film director. During the silent era, she starred in over 100 films, wrote or co-wrote at least 44 of those productions ...

. The 1915 serial ''

The Broken Coin ''The Broken Coin'' is a 1915 American adventure- mystery film serial directed by Francis Ford. This serial is presumed to be lost. Cast * Grace Cunard - Kitty Gray * Francis Ford - Count Frederick * Eddie Polo - Roleau * Harry Schumm ...

'' was expanded from 15 to 22 episodes by popular demand, and likely represents the height of Ford's career. A Study in Scarlet 1914

In 1917, Ford founded a short-lived independent company, Fordart Films, which released the 1918 ''Berlin via America'' with Phil Kelly, and briefly opened his own studio at Sunset Boulevard and Gower Street. At the same time, Ford mentored his younger brother, collaborating frequently as writers, directors and actors in each other's projects, but as early as 1917, it was clear that John's star was on the rise. Frank's directorial style remained suitable for serials, but failed to evolve. Ford's final known directorial credit is for the 1928 ''The Call of the Heart'', a 50-minute vehicle for "Dynamite the Devil Dog". Ford may have acted in over 400 films, with many of his early credits poorly documented and probably lost.

Character Actor

From the late 1920s, and for the next two decades, Ford sustained a career as a grizzled character actor and bit player. He is often uncredited, as in his appearance in

James Whale James Whale (22 July 1889 – 29 May 1957) was an English film director, theatre director and actor, who spent the greater part of his career in Cinema of the United States, Hollywood. He is best remembered for several horror films: ''Fra ...

's 1931 ''Frankenstein''. Among his most memorable roles was that of the demented old man in ''

'' (1943), for which he also was uncredited.

Relationship with John Ford

Ford's younger brother, John M. Feeney, nicknamed "Bull," was a successful fullback and defensive tackle on a Portland High state championship

football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...

team. In 1914, "Bull" followed Francis to Hollywood, changed his name to

and eventually surpassed his elder brother's considerable reputation. Francis ford 1915

Ford's son, Philip Ford, was also a film actor/director. Ford died after being diagnosed with cancer. The Ford brothers were, at the best of times, critical of each other and sometimes sharply antagonistic. Ford wrote an unpublished memoir in 1934 called ''Up and Down the Ladder'' which is "filled with bitter and sometimes heartrending complaints about how old-timers who had helped create the industry had been shunted aside by younger men." When Jack Ford was first in Hollywood working for his brother, Francis had him perform a dangerous stunt where, as his elder brother's

stunt double In filmmaking, a double is a person who substitutes for another actor such that the person's face is not shown. There are various terms associated with a double based on the specific body part or ability they serve as a double for, such as stunt ...

, he ran across a railroad station roof and jumped onto a moving train. At the time he was performing the stunt, the younger brother said to the older that he owed him for the stunt. Many years later, with the power relation reversed, Jack had Francis tied to a hay wagon that was set to be set afire by Native Americans in ''

Drums Along the Mohawk ''Drums Along the Mohawk'' is a 1939 American historical drama film based upon a 1936 novel of the same name by American author Walter D. Edmonds. The film stars Henry Fonda and Claudette Colbert, was produced by Darryl F. Zanuck, and direct ...

''. Before the scene was shot, Jack told his brother, "Now you're paying me, Frank." The hay wagon was set afire, and Jack Ford did not signal to his crew to put out the fire until it reached the leather tongs that bound Francis to the prop wagon.

Selected filmography

*'' The Immortal Alamo'' (1911, Short) – Navarre *''

The Deserter The Deserter or Deserter(s) may refer to: Film and television * ''The Deserter'' (1912 film), a silent film by Thomas H. Ince * ''The Deserter'' (1933 film), a film by Vsevolod Pudovkin * ''The Deserter'' (1970 film), a film by Burt Kennedy * ...

'' (actor, 1912, Short) – The Deserter *''

Custer's Last Fight ''Custer's Last Fight'' (also known as ''Custer's Last Raid'') is a 1912 American silent short Western film. It is the first film about George Armstrong Custer and his final stand at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Francis Ford, the older ...

'' (actor and director, 1912) – General George A. Custer *''The Post Telegrapher'' (director, 1912, Short) – Bob Evans – the Post Telegrapher *''

The Invaders ''The Invaders'' is an American science fiction television series created by Larry Cohen that aired on ABC for two seasons, from 1967 to 1968. Roy Thinnes stars as David Vincent, who after stumbling across evidence of an in-progress invasi ...

'' (actor and director, 1912) – Colonel James Bryson *'' When Lincoln Paid'' (actor and director, 1913, Short) – Abraham Lincoln *'' The Battle of Bull Run'' (1913) – Abraham Lincoln *''

'' (writer, director and star, 15-episode serial, 1914) – Hugo Loubeque *'' The Adventures of Shorty'' (director, 1914, and some of the subsequent "Shorty" two-reelers through 1917) *''

A Study in Scarlet ''A Study in Scarlet'' is an 1887 Detective fiction, detective novel by British writer Arthur Conan Doyle. The story marks the first appearance of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, who would go on to become one of the most well-known detective ...

'' (actor and director, 1914, Short) – Sherlock Holmes *'' The Mysterious Rose'' (1914) *'' The Heart of Lincoln'' (1915) – Abraham Lincoln *'' The Heart of Maryland'' (1915) – Abraham Lincoln *''

'' (actor and director, 22-episode serial, 1915) – Count Frederick *''

Three Bad Men and a Girl ''Three Bad Men and a Girl'' is a 1915 American silent Western black and white film directed by Francis Ford and written by Grace Cunard. This film is reminiscent of '' The Desert Breed'' (1915). Cast * Francis Ford as Joe * Jack Ford as J ...

'' (1915) *''

The Adventures of Peg o' the Ring ''The Adventures of Peg o' the Ring'' is a 1916 American drama film serial directed by Francis Ford and Jacques Jaccard. It is now considered to be lost. Cast * Grace Cunard as Peg * Francis Ford as Dr. Lund, Junior * Mark Fenton as Dr. ...

'' (actor and director, 15-episode serial, 1916) – Dr. Lund, Junior *'' The Bandit's Wager'' (director, 1916, Short) – Nan's Brother / The Bandit *''The Purple Mask'' (1916) – Phil Kelly / The Sphinx *'' John Ermine of Yellowstone'' (director, 1917) – John Ermine *'' The Mystery Ship'' (1917) *'' Who Was the Other Man?'' (1917) *'' The Dazzling Miss Davison'' (actor, 1917) *''

Motherhood A mother is the female parent of a child. A woman may be considered a mother by virtue of having given childbirth, birth, by raising a child who may or may not be her biological offspring, or by supplying her ovum for fertilisation in the case ...

'' (actor, 1917) *'' John Ermine of the Yellowstone'' (1917) *'' The Greater Woman'' (actor, 1917) *'' The Mirror'' (actor, 1917) *'' The Tornado'' (writer, 1917) *'' The Avenging Trail'' (director, 1917) *''

Berlin via America Berlin ( ; ) is the Capital of Germany, capital and largest city of Germany, by both area and List of cities in Germany by population, population. With 3.7 million inhabitants, it has the List of cities in the European Union by population withi ...

'' (director, 1918) – Phil Kelly *'' The Craving'' (writer, director and star, 1918) – Carroll Wayles *'' The Silent Mystery'' (actor and director, 15-episode serial, 1918) – Phil Kelly *''The Isle of Intrigue'' (1918) *'' The Mystery of 13'' (actor and director, 15-episode serial, 1919) – Phil Kelly / Jim Kelly *''Crimson Shoals'' (1919) – Jack Quinn, the son / Frederick Fielding, the father / Thomas Fielding, the grandfather *''The Woman of Mystery'' (1920) *'' Thunderbolt Jack'' (director, 10-episode serial, 1920) *''A Man from Nowhere'' (1920) – The Town Drunkard *'' The Great Reward'' (director, producer, star, 15-episode serial, 1921) – The American Adventurer *''

Action Action may refer to: * Action (philosophy), something which is done by a person * Action principles the heart of fundamental physics * Action (narrative), a literary mode * Action fiction, a type of genre fiction * Action game, a genre of video gam ...

'' (actor, 1921) – Soda Water Manning * '' The Lady from Longacre'' (1921) – Count de Freitas *''The Stampede'' (1921) – Robert Wagner * '' Cyclone Bliss'' (1921) *''So This Is Arizona'' (1922) – Ned Kendall * '' Another Man's Boots'' (1922) – The Stranger * '' Thundering Hoofs'' (1922) – Daddy Bill / 'Colonel' Bill *''They're Off'' (1922) – Col. Blake *'' Bells of San Juan'' (1922) – Minor Role (uncredited) *''Storm Girl'' (1922) – Dr. Blake * '' Angel Citizens'' (1922) *'' The Village Blacksmith'' (actor, 1922) – Asa Martin *'' The Boss of Camp 4'' (1922) – Dude McCormick *'' The Fighting Skipper'' (actor and director, 15-episode serial, 1923) *''

Three Jumps Ahead ''Three Jumps Ahead'' is a 1923 American silent Western film written and directed by John Ford. The film is considered to be lost. Cast * Tom Mix as Steve McLean * Alma Bennett as Annie Darrell * Edward Peil Sr. as Buck Taggitt (as Edward Pi ...

'' (actor, 1923) – Ben McLean *''

Haunted Valley ''Haunted Valley'' is a fifteen episode American adventure film serial starring Ruth Roland, in which Ruth Ranger, the president of an engineering firm engaged in a construction project at the Lost River Dam, takes out a three-month million-doll ...

'' (actor, 15-episode serial, 1923) – Sharkey * '' Mine to Keep'' (1923) – Jack Deering *''Western Feuds'' (1924) – J.P. Hartley *''A Rodeo Mixup'' (1924) – Her Uncle *'' Western Yesterdays'' (1924) – Twitchie *''In the Days of the Covered Wagon'' (1924) *'' Hearts of Oak'' (actor, 1924) *'' The Measure of a Man'' (1924) – 'Pale' Peter *''

The Diamond Bandit ''The Diamond Bandit'' is a 1924 American silent Western film directed by Francis Ford and starring Ashton Dearholt, Florence Gilbert and Frank Baker. Synopsis In South America South America is a continent entirely in the Western ...

'' (1924) – Friar Aloysius *''

Cupid's Rustler ''Cupid's Rustler'' is a 1924 American silent Western film directed by Francis Ford and starring Edmund Cobb and Florence Gilbert. It also featured an early appearance by the future star Janet Gaynor. Cast * Edmund Cobb as Victim of a Croo ...

'' (1924) *'' Soft Shoes'' (actor, 1925) – Quig Mundy *'' The Sign of the Cactus'' (1925) – Panhandle George *'' A Roaring Adventure'' (1925) – Colonel Burns / Bennett Hardy *'' The Taming of the West'' (1925) – Frosty Miller * '' Scar Hanan'' (1925) – Jury foreman *''The Power God'' (serial, 1925) – Government Secret Service Man (Chapter 15) (uncredited) * ''

Ridin' Thunder ''Ridin' Thunder'' is a 1925 American silent Western film directed by Clifford Smith and starring Jack Hoxie John Hartford Hoxie (January 11, 1885 – March 28, 1965) was an American rodeo performer and motion-picture actor whose caree ...

'' (1925) – Frank Douglas *''

The Red Rider ''The Red Rider'' is a 1934 American Western film serial from Universal Pictures and starring Buck Jones. It has 15 chapters based on the short story "The Redhead from Sun Dog" by W. C. Tuttle, and is a remake of Buck Jones' earlier 1931 film ...

'' (1925) – Brown Bear *'' Perils of the Wild'' (director, 15-episode serial, 1925) *'' The Fighting Heart'' (actor, 1925) – Town Fool *''The Four from Nowhere'' (1925) *''

Officer 444 ''Officer 444'' is a 1926 film serial directed by Francis Ford and Ben F. Wilson, produced by Goodwill Productions and released by the independent Davis Distributing Division. Plot Officer 444, a heroic policeman, does battle with The Frog ...

'' (writer and director, 10-episode serial, 1926) – Fire Chief *'' Lash of the Whip'' (1926) – 'Hurricane' Smith *'' Speed Cop'' (actor, 1926) *'' The Winking Idol'' (director, 10-chapter serial, 1926) *''

Wolf's Trail ''Wolf's Trail'' is a 1927 American silent Western film directed by Francis Ford and starring Edmund Cobb, Dixie Lamont and Joseph Bennett.Langman, p. 520 Synopsis A Texas Ranger battles against smugglers on the Mexico border. He goes unde ...

'' (1927) *'' Wolves of the Air'' (1927) *'' Upstream'' (actor, 1927) – Juggler *'' Men of Daring'' (1927) – Black Roger *'' The Devil's Saddle'' (1927) – Pete Hepburn *'' The Heart of Maryland'' (actor, 1927) – Jefferson Davis *'' The Cruise of the Hellion'' (1927) – Peg-leg *''

The Wreck of the Hesperus "The Wreck of the Hesperus" is a narrative poem by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, first published in ''Ballads and Other Poems'' in 1842. It is a story that presents the tragic consequences of a skipper's pride. On an ill-fated voyag ...

'' (actor, 1927) – John Hazzard *''

Uncle Tom's Cabin ''Uncle Tom's Cabin; or, Life Among the Lowly'' is an anti-slavery novel by American author Harriet Beecher Stowe. Published in two Volume (bibliography), volumes in 1852, the novel had a profound effect on attitudes toward African Americans ...

'' (1927) – Captain (uncredited) *'' One Glorious Scrap'' (1927) – Ralph Curtis *''

The Branded Sombrero ''The Branded Sombrero'' is a 1928 American silent adventure film directed by Lambert Hillyer and written by Lambert Hillyer and James Kevin McGuinness. The film stars Buck Jones, Leila Hyams, Jack Baston, Stanton Heck, Francis Ford and Jose ...

'' (1928) – Link Jarvis *''

The Trail of '98 ''The Trail of '98'' is a 1928 American synchronized sound action-adventure/drama film featuring Harry Carey and Dolores del Río about the Klondike Gold Rush. While the film has no audible dialog, it was released with a synchronized musical ...

'' (actor, 1928) – Gold Commissioner's Assistant (uncredited) *'' The Four-Footed Range'' (1928) – Brom Hockley *''The Chinatown Mystery'' (1928) – The Sphinx *'' Sisters of Eve'' (1928) – Pritchard *''

The Call of the Heart ''The Call of the Heart'' is a 1928 American silent Western film directed by Francis Ford and written by Basil Dickey and Gardner Bradford. The film stars Dynamite the Dog, Joan Alden, Edmund Cobb, William Steele, Maurice Murphy and Georg ...

'' (director, 1928) *'' The Charlatan'' (1929) – Detective (uncredited) *'' The Black Watch'' (1929) – Maj. MacGregor (uncredited) *'' The Lariat Kid'' (actor, 1929) – Cal Gregg *''

The Drake Case ''The Drake Case'' is a 1929 American pre-Code mystery film directed by Edward Laemmle and written by J.G. Hawks, Charles Logue and Dudley Early. The film stars Gladys Brockwell, Forrest Stanley, Robert Frazer, and Doris Lloyd. The film was rele ...

'' (1929) – Juror (uncredited) *''

Mister Antonio ''Mister Antonio'' is a 1929 love story based on a 1916 Booth Tarkington Broadway play of the same name. Leo Carrillo stars in the title role of Antonio Camaradino, originated on Broadway by Otis Skinner, as a hurdy-gurdy street artist who falls ...

'' (1929) – Bit Role (uncredited) *'' The Mounted Stranger'' (1930) – 'Spider' Coy *'' The Jade Box'' (actor, 10-chapter serial, 1930) – Martin Morgan *''

Captain of the Guard The Captain of the Guard is a position for a military force. It is also a position within jail and prison staffing. Uses Military use A Captain of the Guard is the commanding position of a military security force. The position of Captain of the ...

'' (1930) – Hussars Officer (uncredited) *'' Kathleen Mavourneen'' (1930) – James, the butler *'' Song of the Caballero'' (1930) – Don Pedro Madero *'' Sons of the Saddle'' (1930) – 'Red' Slade *''

'' (actor, 1930) – Sheridan's Aide (uncredited) *'' The Indians Are Coming'' (1930) – George Woods / Tom Woods *''

Resurrection Resurrection or anastasis is the concept of coming back to life after death. Reincarnation is a similar process hypothesized by other religions involving the same person or deity returning to another body. The disappearance of a body is anothe ...

'' (1931) – Drunken Soldier on Train (uncredited) *''

Seas Beneath ''Seas Beneath'' is a 1931 American Pre-Code action film directed and produced by John Ford and starring George O'Brien (actor), George O'Brien and Marion Lessing. Plot In the book, ''John Ford'' by Peter Bogdanovich, Ford was interviewed ab ...

'' (1931) – Eric (Captain of Trawler) (uncredited) *''

The Front Page ''The Front Page'' is a Broadway theatre, Broadway comedy about newspaper reporters on the police beat. Written by former Chicago reporters Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur, it was first produced in 1928 and has been adapted for the cinema severa ...

'' (1931) – Carl – a Detective (uncredited) *''

A Free Soul ''A Free Soul'' is a 1931 American pre-Code drama film directed by Clarence Brown, starring Norma Shearer, and featuring Leslie Howard, Lionel Barrymore, James Gleason, and Clark Gable. ''A Free Soul'' became famous for Barrymore's climacti ...

'' (actor, 1931) – Skid Row Drunk (uncredited) *'' The Spirit of Notre Dame'' (1931) – Alumnus (uncredited) *''

Possessed Possessed may refer to: Possession * Possession (disambiguation), having some degree of control over something else ** Spirit possession, whereby gods, demons, animas, or other disincarnate entities may temporarily take control of a human body *** ...

'' (actor, 1931) – Drunken Husband (uncredited) *''

Frankenstein ''Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus'' is an 1818 Gothic novel written by English author Mary Shelley. ''Frankenstein'' tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a Sapience, sapient Frankenstein's monster, crea ...

'' (actor, 1931) – Hans (uncredited) *'' Battling with Buffalo Bill'' (serial, 1931) – Jim Rodney *'' The Last Ride'' (actor, 1931) – Brady *''

Discarded Lovers ''Discarded Lovers'' is a 1932 American Pre-Code mystery film directed by Fred C. Newmeyer. Plot A blonde bombshell movie star is murdered and her body is found in a car. She had just finished doing the last and final scenes in a film. Irma ...

'' (1932) – Medical Examiner (uncredited) *''

The Impatient Maiden ''The Impatient Maiden'' is a 1932 American pre-Code drama film directed by James Whale, starring Lew Ayres and Mae Clarke, and released by Universal Pictures. The screenplay was written by Richard Schayer and Winifred Dunn, based on the nove ...

'' (1932) – InsanMatt Higginse Asylum Warden (uncredited) *'' Scarface'' (1932) – Prison Guard (alternative ending) (uncredited) *''

Scandal for Sale ''Scandal for Sale'' is a 1932 American pre-Code drama film directed by Russell Mack and starring Charles Bickford, Rose Hobart and Pat O'Brien. The film's sets were designed by the art director Charles D. Hall. The plot is adapted from Emile ...

'' (1932) – Belmont Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited) *''

Destry Rides Again ''Destry Rides Again'' is a 1939 American Western comedy film directed by George Marshall and starring Marlene Dietrich and James Stewart. The supporting cast includes Mischa Auer, Charles Winninger, Brian Donlevy, Allen Jenkins, Irene Her ...

'' (actor, 1932) – Judd Ogden *'' The Rider of Death Valley'' (1932) – Gabe *'' Tangled Fortunes'' (1932) *'' Heroes of the West'' (actor, 12-chapter serial, 1932) – Cavalry Captain *'' Jungle Mystery'' (actor, 12-chapter serial, 1932) *''

Air Mail Airmail (or air mail) is a mail transport service branded and sold on the basis of at least one leg of its journey being by air. Airmail items typically arrive more quickly than surface mail, and usually cost more to send. Airmail may be the ...

'' (1932) – Passenger Who'll Die on a Train (uncredited) *''

The Lost Special "The Story of the Lost Special", sometimes abbreviated to "The Lost Special", is a mystery short story by Arthur Conan Doyle first published in ''The Strand Magazine'' in August 1898. A minor character in the story is possibly implied to be Doyle' ...

'' (actor, 12-chapter serial, 1932) – Botter Hood *'' Clancy of the Mounted'' (actor, 12-chapter serial, 1933) – Inspector Cabot *'' The Thundering Herd'' (1933) – Frank (uncredited) *'' Life in the Raw'' (1933) – Sheriff Myles *''

Pilgrimage A pilgrimage is a travel, journey to a holy place, which can lead to a personal transformation, after which the pilgrim returns to their daily life. A pilgrim (from the Latin ''peregrinus'') is a traveler (literally one who has come from afar) w ...

'' (actor, 1933) – Mayor Elmer Briggs *'' The Man from Monterey'' (1933) – Don Pablo Gonzales *'' Gordon of Ghost City'' (actor, 12-chapter serial, 1933) – Mystery Man *'' Doctor Bull'' (1933) – Mr. Herring, Metting Chairman (uncredited) *''

Charlie Chan's Greatest Case ''Charlie Chan's Greatest Case'' (1933) is an American pre-Code murder mystery film starring Warner Oland as the Oriental detective Charlie Chan. It was based on the Earl Derr Biggers novel '' The House Without a Key'' (1925). Oland made a seri ...

'' (actor, 1933) – Captain Hallett *''

Roman Scandals ''Roman Scandals'' is a 1933 American black-and-white pre-Code musical film starring Eddie Cantor, Ruth Etting, Gloria Stuart, Edward Arnold and David Manners. It was directed by Frank Tuttle. The film features a number of intricate production ...

'' (actor, 1933) – Roman Citizen (uncredited) *'' Smoky'' (1933) – Horse Buyer (uncredited) *'' Pirate Treasure'' (1934) – Dick's Friend at the Airfield *'' The Lost Patrol'' (1934) – Arab (uncredited) *''

Sleepers East ''Sleepers East'' is a 1934 American pre-Code crime film directed by Kenneth MacKenna and written by Lester Cole. It is based on the 1933 novel ''Sleepers East'' by Frederick Nebel. The film stars Wynne Gibson, Preston Foster, Mona Barrie, Ha ...

'' (1934) – Well-Wisher at Train Station (uncredited) *''

Cheaters A cheater is one who engages in cheating, subversion of the rules to obtain an advantage. Cheater(s) may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Films * ''Cheater'' (film), a 2016 Indian Marathi-language film * ''Cheaters'' (1934 film), an Ameri ...

'' (actor, 1934) *'' Murder in Trinidad'' (actor, 1934) – Davenant *'' The World Moves On'' (1934) – Legionnaire in Trench (uncredited) *'' Charlie Chan's Courage'' (actor, 1934) – Hewitt *''

Judge Priest ''Judge Priest'' is a 1934 American comedy film starring Will Rogers. The film was directed by John Ford, produced by Sol M. Wurtzel in association with Fox Film, and based on humorist Irvin S. Cobb's character Judge Priest. The picture is s ...

'' (actor, 1934) – Juror No. 12 *''

Bachelor of Arts A Bachelor of Arts (abbreviated B.A., BA, A.B. or AB; from the Latin ', ', or ') is the holder of a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the liberal arts, or, in some cases, other disciplines. A Bachelor of Arts deg ...

'' (1934) – Pawnbroker (uncredited) *'' The County Chairman'' (1935) – Cattle Rancher *'' The Whole Town's Talking'' (1935) – Newspaper Reporter at Dock (uncredited) *''

Goin' to Town ''Goin' To Town'' is a 1935 musical film, musical comedy film directed by Alexander Hall and written by Mae West. The film stars Mae West, Paul Cavanagh, Gilbert Emery, Marjorie Gateson, Tito Coral, and Ivan Lebedeff. The film was released on Ap ...

'' (1935) – Sheriff (uncredited) *'' The Informer'' (1935) – 'Judge' Flynn *''

Paris in Spring ''Paris in Spring'' (also released as ''Paris Love Song'') is a 1935 black and white musical comedy film directed by Lewis Milestone for Paramount Pictures. It is based on a play by Dwight Taylor, with a screen play by Samuel Hoffenstein and ...

'' (actor, 1935) – Drunken Peasant (uncredited) *''

The Arizonian ''The Arizonian'' is a 1935 American Western film directed by Charles Vidor and starring Richard Dix, Margot Grahame, Preston Foster, and Louis Calhern. The screenplay was by Dudley Nichols. The film was released by RKO Radio Pictures on June 2 ...

'' (actor, 1935) – Mayor Ed Comstock *''

Steamboat Round the Bend ''Steamboat Round the Bend'' is a 1935 American comedy film directed by John Ford, released by 20th Century Fox and produced by Fox Film Corporation, based on the 1933 novel of the same name by author Ben Lucien Burman. It was the final film ma ...

'' (actor, 1935) – Efe *'' This Is the Life'' (1935) – 'Sticky' Jones *''

Charlie Chan's Secret ''Charlie Chan's Secret'' is a 1936 American mystery film directed by Gordon Wiles and starring Warner Oland, Henrietta Crosman and Rosina Lawrence. It is the tenth film in Fox's Charlie Chan series featuring Oland as the detective. Plot Ch ...

'' (1936) – Captain of Salvage Ship (uncredited) *''

Paddy O'Day ''Paddy O'Day'' is a 1936 American comedy drama film directed by Lewis Seiler and released by 20th Century Fox. It stars Jane Withers, Pinky Tomlin, and Rita Hayworth (credited as Rita Cansino). The story follows the adventures of a plucky Iris ...

'' (actor, 1936) – Tom McGuire – Immigration Officer *'' The Prisoner of Shark Island'' (actor, 1936) – Cpl. O'Toole *''

Charlie Chan at the Circus ''Charlie Chan at the Circus'' is the 11th film produced by Fox starring Warner Oland as Charlie Chan. A seemingly harmless family outing drags a vacationing Chan into a murder investigation. The film's sets were designed by the art director Dun ...

'' (actor, 1936) – John Gaines *'' Gentle Julia'' (1936) – Tubbs, Fish Peddler *'' Educating Father'' (1936) – Sheriff Hart *'' Little Miss Nobody'' (1936) – Detective (uncredited) *''

Sins of Man ''Sins of Man'' is a 1936 American period drama film directed by Otto Brower and starring Jean Hersholt, Don Ameche and Allen Jenkins. It was produced and released by 20th Century Fox. It is based on the 1930 novel ''Job'' by Joseph Roth. Plot ...

'' (actor, 1936) – Town Drunk *''

The Plainsman ''The Plainsman'' is a 1936 American Western film directed by Cecil B. DeMille and starring Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur. The film presents a highly fictionalized account of the adventures and relationships between Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity J ...

'' (actor, 1936) – Anderson – Old Veteran (uncredited) *''

The Plough and the Stars ''The Plough and the Stars'' is a four-act play by the Irish writer Seán O'Casey that was first performed on 8 February 1926 at the Abbey Theatre. It is set in Dublin and addresses the 1916 Easter Rising. The play's title references the Sta ...

'' (1936) – (uncredited) *'' A Star Is Born'' (1937) – William Gregory (uncredited) *'' The Road Back'' (1937) – Street Cleaner (uncredited) *'' The Last Train from Madrid'' (actor, 1937) – Pedro Elias (uncredited) *''

Slave Ship Slave ships were large cargo ships specially built or converted from the 17th to the 19th century for transporting Slavery, slaves. Such ships were also known as "Guineamen" because the trade involved human trafficking to and from the Guinea ( ...

'' (actor, 1937) – Scraps *''

The Prisoner of Zenda ''The Prisoner of Zenda'' is an 1894 adventure novel by Anthony Hope, in which the King of Ruritania is drugged on the eve of his coronation and thus is unable to attend the ceremony. Political forces within the realm are such that, in o ...

'' (actor, 1937) – (scenes deleted) *''

Checkers Checkers (American English), also known as draughts (; English in the Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth English), is a group of Abstract strategy game, strategy board games for two players which involve forward movements of uniform game ...

'' (1937) – Daniel Snodgrass *''

Mannequin A mannequin (sometimes spelled as manikin and also called a dummy, lay figure, or dress form) is a doll, often articulated, used by artists, tailors, dressmakers, window dressers and others, especially to display or fit clothing and show off dif ...

'' (1937) – Tim O'Rourke (uncredited) *'' In Old Chicago'' (actor, 1938) – Driver *'' Change of Heart'' (1938) – Dog Pound Man (uncredited) *'' The Girl of the Golden West'' (1938) – Miner (uncredited) *'' Kentucky Moonshine'' (actor, 1938) – Grandpa Hatfield *''

The Texans ''The Texans'' is a 1938 American Western film directed by James P. Hogan and starring Joan Bennett and Randolph Scott. The screenplay was written by Bertram Millhauser, Paul Sloane and William Wister Haines and is based on the novel ''Nort ...

'' (actor, 1938) – Uncle Dud *'' The Great Waltz'' (actor, 1938) *''

Stagecoach A stagecoach (also: stage coach, stage, road coach, ) is a four-wheeled public transport coach used to carry paying passengers and light packages on journeys long enough to need a change of horses. It is strongly sprung and generally drawn by ...

'' (1939) – Sergeant Billy Pickett (uncredited) *'' Young Mr. Lincoln'' (1939) – Sam Boone (uncredited) *'' Colorado Sunset'' (1939) – The Drunk (uncredited) *'' Bad Lands'' (1939) – Charlie Garth *''

'' (1939) – Joe Boleo *''

Geronimo Gerónimo (, ; June 16, 1829 – February 17, 1909) was a military leader and medicine man from the Bedonkohe band of the Ndendahe Apache people. From 1850 to 1886, Geronimo joined with members of three other Central Apache bands the Tchihen ...

'' (1939) – Scout (uncredited) *''

The Grapes of Wrath ''The Grapes of Wrath'' is an American realist novel written by John Steinbeck and published in 1939. The book won the National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize for fiction, and it was cited prominently when Steinbeck was awarded the Nobel Prize ...

'' (1940) – Migrant (uncredited) *'' The Man from Dakota'' (1940) – Horseman on Bridge (uncredited) *''

Viva Cisco Kid ''Viva Cisco Kid'' is a 1940 American Western film directed by Norman Foster, written by Samuel G. Engel and Hal Long, and starring Cesar Romero, Jean Rogers, Chris-Pin Martin, Minor Watson, Stanley Fields and Nigel De Brulier. It was releas ...

'' (1940) – Proprietor *'' Lucky Cisco Kid'' (1940) – Court Clerk *''

Three Faces West ''Three Faces West'' is a 1940 American drama film directed by Bernard Vorhaus and starring John Wayne, Sigrid Gurie and Charles Coburn. The film, mainly set in North Dakota was one of a handful of overtly anti-Nazi films produced by Hollywood ...

'' (1940) – Farmer Bill (uncredited) *''

South of Pago Pago ''South of Pago Pago'' is a 1940 American South Seas adventure film directed by Alfred E. Green and starring Victor McLaglen, Jon Hall and Frances Farmer. Plot In 1875 a group of adventurers meet in Singapore to look for pearls in the Pacific I ...

'' (actor, 1940) – Foster *'' Diamond Frontier'' (actor, 1940) *''

Romance of the Rio Grande ''Romance of the Rio Grande'' (also: En kärleksnatt vid Rio Grande) is a 1929 American sound ( All-Talking) pre-Code Western musical film directed by Alfred Santell and starring Warner Baxter, Mona Maris, Mary Duncan, and Antonio Moreno. It wa ...

'' (1941) – Stagecoach Driver (uncredited) *''

Western Union The Western Union Company is an American multinational financial services corporation headquartered in Denver, Denver, Colorado. Founded in 1851 as the New York and Mississippi Valley Printing Telegraph Company in Rochester, New York, the co ...

'' (1941) – Eastbound Stagecoach Driver (uncredited) *'' Tobacco Road'' (actor, 1941) – Vagabond on Road (uncredited) *'' The Last of the Duanes'' (actor, 1941) – Luke Stevens *''

Riders of the Purple Sage ''Riders of the Purple Sage'' is a Western novel by Zane Grey, first published by Harper & Brothers in 1912. Considered by scholars to have played a significant role in shaping the formula of the popular Western genre, the novel has been calle ...

'' (1941) – Inebriated Courtroom Spectator (uncredited) *''

They Died with Their Boots On ''They Died with Their Boots On'' is a 1941 American biographical western war film directed by Raoul Walsh and starring Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland and Arthur Kennedy. It was made and distributed by Warner Bros. and produced by Hal B. Wal ...

'' (1941) – Veteran (uncredited) *'' The Vanishing Virginian'' (1942) – Campaign Committee Member (uncredited) *'' The Man Who Wouldn't Die'' (1942) – Caretaker *'' The Loves of Edgar Allan Poe'' (actor, 1942) – Tavern Keeper *''

King of the Mounties ''King of the Mounties'' is a 1942 Republic 12-chapter film serial, directed by William Witney. Allan Lane played Sgt. Dave King of the Mounties, with Peggy Drake as heroine Carol Brent, and Abner Biberman played the villainous Japanese admiral ...

'' (serial, 1942) – Zeke Collins (Ch. 4) *'' Outlaws of Pine Ridge'' (actor, 1942) – Bartender *''

'' (actor, 1943) – Alva 'Dad' Hardwicke (uncredited) *''

Girls in Chains ''Girls in Chains'' is a 1943 American women in prison film directed by Edgar G. Ulmer and starring Arline Judge. Plot Johnny Moon is a mob boss who controls everything from politicians to a profitable women's reformatory he secretly runs. He ...

'' (1943) – Jury Foreman (uncredited) *'' The Desperadoes'' (1943) – Hank (uncredited) *''

Jitterbugs ''Jitterbugs'' is an American 1943 Laurel and Hardy feature-length musical comedy film produced by Sol M. Wurtzel and directed by Mal St.Clair. Plot Stan and Ollie are musicians traveling across the U.S. as "The Original Zoot Suit Band". Durin ...

'' (actor, 1943) – Skeptical Old-Timer (uncredited) *'' Home in Indiana'' (1944) – Ed – Seated Opposite J.T. in Bar (uncredited) *'' Wilson'' (1944) – Hughes Campaign Orator (uncredited) *'' The Big Noise'' (actor, 1944) – Train Station Attendant (uncredited) *'' The Climax'' (1944) – Backstage Attendant (uncredited) *''

The Princess and the Pirate ''The Princess and the Pirate'' is a 1944 American comedy film directed by David Butler, and starring Bob Hope and Virginia Mayo. Based on a story by Sy Bartlett, the film is about a princess who travels incognito to elope with her true love ins ...

'' (1944) – Drunken Pirate (uncredited) *'' Bowery Champs'' (actor, 1944) – Sports Writer (uncredited) *'' The Big Bonanza'' (1944) – Daley (uncredited) *'' Mom and Dad'' (1945) – Dr. Rubin *'' Hangover Square'' (actor, 1945) – Ogilby – Fulham Antique Dealer (uncredited) *''

Murder, He Says ''Murder, He Says'' is a 1945 American black comedy horror film directed by George Marshall and starring Fred MacMurray, Helen Walker and Marjorie Main. It is about a murderous rural family and the hapless pollster who becomes entangled in their ...

'' (1945) – Lee – Old Townsman (uncredited) *'' The White Gorilla'' (1945) – Mr. Stacey *''

Wildfire A wildfire, forest fire, or a bushfire is an unplanned and uncontrolled fire in an area of Combustibility and flammability, combustible vegetation. Depending on the type of vegetation present, a wildfire may be more specifically identified as a ...

'' (actor, 1945) – Ezra Mills *'' Incendiary Blonde'' (1945) – Ranch Owner (uncredited) *''

State Fair A state fair is an annual competitive and recreational gathering of a U.S. state's population, usually held in late summer or early fall. It is a larger version of a county fair, often including only exhibits or competitors that have won in t ...

'' (1945) – R.C. Martin (uncredited) *'' Love, Honor and Goodbye'' (1945) – Old Sea Dog (uncredited) *''

San Antonio San Antonio ( ; Spanish for " Saint Anthony") is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in Greater San Antonio. San Antonio is the third-largest metropolitan area in Texas and the 24th-largest metropolitan area in the ...

'' (1945) – Old Cowboy Greeting Coach (uncredited) *'' The Wife of Monte Cristo'' (1946) – (uncredited) *'' Renegades'' (1946) – Eph (uncredited) *'' Sister Kenny'' (1946) – Patrick O'Shea (uncredited) *''

Accomplice Aiding and abetting is a legal doctrine related to the guilt of someone who aids or abets (encourages, incites) another person in the commission of a crime (or in another's suicide). It exists in a number of different countries and generally al ...

'' (actor, 1946) – King Connors *''

My Darling Clementine ''My Darling Clementine'' is a 1946 American Western film directed by John Ford and starring Henry Fonda as Wyatt Earp during the period leading up to the gunfight at the O.K. Corral. The ensemble cast also features Victor Mature (as Doc Holli ...

'' (1946) – Dad (Old Soldier) (uncredited) *'' Wake Up and Dream'' (1946) – Old Man at Counter (uncredited) *''

California California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...

'' (1947) – Jessie (uncredited) *''

Gunfighters Gunfighters, also called gunslingers () or in the late 19th and early 20th century gunmen, were individuals in the American Old West who gained a reputation of being dangerous with a gun and participated in shootouts. Today, the term "gunslin ...

'' (1947) – Cook (uncredited) *''

High Tide Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon (and to a much lesser extent, the Sun) and are also caused by the Earth and Moon orbiting one another. Tide tables ...

'' (1947) – Pop Garrow *''

Driftwood Driftwood is a wood that has been washed onto a shore or beach of a sea, lake, or river by the action of winds, tides or waves. It is part of beach wrack. In some waterfront areas, driftwood is a major nuisance. However, the driftwood provides ...

'' (actor, 1947) – Abner Green *''

Unconquered Unconquered or The Unconquered may refer to: Films * ''Unconquered'' (1917 film), a drama film by Frank Reicher * ''Unconquered'' (1947 film), an adventure film by Cecil B. DeMille * ''The Unconquered'' (documentary) or ''Helen Keller in Her Sto ...

'' (1947) – Frontiersman on Fort Pitt Roof (uncredited) *'' Bandits of Dark Canyon'' (1947) – Horse Trader *'' Fort Apache'' (1948) – Fen (Stage Guard) (uncredited) *'' The Timber Trail'' (1948) – Ralph Baker *'' Feudin', Fussin' and A-Fightin''' (1948) – Race Checker / Fisherman (uncredited) *'' Eyes of Texas'' (actor, 1948) – Thad Cameron *'' The Plunderers'' (actor, 1948) – Barnaby *''

3 Godfathers ''3 Godfathers'' is a 1948 American Western film in Technicolor directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne, Pedro Armendáriz and Harry Carey Jr. The screenplay was written by Frank S. Nugent and Laurence Stallings based on the 1913 nove ...

'' (1948) – Drunken Old-Timer at Bar (uncredited) *''

The Far Frontier '' The Far Frontier '' is a 1948 American Western (genre), Western film starring Roy Rogers. Plot Tom Sharper of the border patrol stops a truck to inspect its cargo. He is knocked cold by the drivers, who report back to their boss, Bart Car ...

'' (1948) – Alf Sharper *'' Frontier Investigator'' (1949) – Ed Garnett *''

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon ''She Wore a Yellow Ribbon'' is a 1949 American Technicolor Western film directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne. It is the second film in Ford's "Cavalry Trilogy", along with '' Fort Apache'' (1948) and ''Rio Grande'' (1950). With a budge ...

'' (1949) – Connelly (Fort Starke Barman) (uncredited) *'' San Antone Ambush'' (1949) – Maj. Farnsworth *''

Wagon Master ''Wagon Master'' is a 1950 American Western film produced and directed by John Ford and starring Ben Johnson, Harry Carey Jr., Joanne Dru, and Ward Bond. The story follows a Mormon pioneer wagon train across treacherous desert to the San ...

'' (1950) – Mr. Peachtree *''

Father Makes Good ''Father Makes Good'' is a 1950 American comedy film directed by Jean Yarbrough and written by D.D. Beauchamp. The film stars Raymond Walburn, Walter Catlett, Gary Gray, Mary Stuart, Barbara Brown and Olin Howland. The film was released on M ...

'' (1950) – Fisherman *''

'' (1952) – Dan Tobin *''

Toughest Man in Arizona ''Toughest Man in Arizona'' is a 1952 American Western film directed by R. G. Springsteen, written by John K. Butler, and starring Vaughn Monroe, Joan Leslie, Edgar Buchanan, Victor Jory, Jean Parker and Harry Morgan. It was released on Octob ...

'' (1952) – Hanchette *'' The Lawless Breed'' (1953) – Charlie – Saloon Janitor (uncredited) *''

The Sun Shines Bright ''The Sun Shines Bright'' is a 1953 American comedy-drama Western film directed by John Ford, based on material taken from a series of Irvin S. Cobb "Judge Priest" short stories featured in ''The Saturday Evening Post'' in the 1910s, specifical ...

'' (actor, 1953) – Feeney – Old Backwoodsman *'' It Happens Every Thursday'' (actor, 1953) – Elderly Man (uncredited) *''

The Marshal's Daughter ''The Marshal's Daughter'' is a 1953 American action film directed by William Berke, produced by Ken Murray and written by Bob Duncan, the latter two appearing in the film. The film stars Laurie Anders, Hoot Gibson, Preston Foster and Johnny Ma ...

'' (actor, 1953) – Gramps (uncredited) (final film role)

Television

*''

The Lone Ranger The Lone Ranger is a fictional masked former Texas Ranger who fought outlaws in the American Old West with his Native American friend Tonto. The character has been called an enduring icon of American culture. He first appeared in 1933 in a ...

'' – episode "Gold Fever" – Sam Dingle (1950) *''The Living Bible'' – TV series – Samaritan Leper (1952)

References

External links

* *
Early portrait of Francis Ford
(moviecard)
Literature on Francis Ford
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ford, Francis 1881 births 1953 deaths American male film actors American male silent film actors Film directors from Maine American people of Irish descent Burials at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City 20th-century American male actors Male actors from Portland, Maine Male Western (genre) film actors