Frank Burgess McDonald (November 9, 1899 – March 8, 1980) was an American film and television director, active from 1935 to 1966. He directed more than 100 films, including many Westerns starring Gene Autry and

Roy Rogers Roy Rogers (born Leonard Franklin Slye; November 5, 1911 – July 6, 1998) was an American singer, actor, and television host. Following early work under his given name, first as co-founder of the Sons of the Pioneers and then acting, the rebra ...

, and numerous TV show episodes. He is interred at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park in Camarillo, California. McDonald was born in

Baltimore, Maryland Baltimore ( , locally: or ) is the List of municipalities in Maryland, most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland, fourth most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, and List of United States cities by popula ...

, the son of Samuel and Florence McDonald. His father was an employee of Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Participation in amateur theatrical productions sparked an interest in performing, causing him to leave Baltimore City College to pursue a career in entertainment. McDonald's professional performing debut came in a vaudeville act in which he played a burglar. He also acted on Broadway, in ''Puppets'' (1925), ''The K Guy'' (1928), ''Just to Remind You'' (1931), and ''Bulls, Bears and Asses'' (1932). McDonald married actress and musician

Goodee Montgomery Goodee Montgomery (born Virginia Lawhead; 1906–1978) was an American actress and musician. She was the niece of the actor David C. Montgomery. She also performed in vaudeville. Montgomery was born Virginia Lawhead in St. Joseph, Missouri. Her f ...

in 1934. She died in 1978. He died in

Oxnard, California Oxnard () is a city in Ventura County, California, United States. On California's South Coast, it is the most populous city in Ventura County and the 22nd-most-populous city in California. Incorporated in 1903, Oxnard lies approximately west ...

Selected filmography

*'' Broadway Hostess'' (1935) *'' The Big Noise'' (1936) *''

Isle of Fury ''Isle of Fury'' is a 1936 American adventure film directed by Frank McDonald and starring Humphrey Bogart, Margaret Lindsay, and Donald Woods. It was produced and distributed by Warner Bros. The film was adapted by Robert Hardy Andrews and ...

'' (1936) *''

Smart Blonde ''Smart Blonde'' is a 1937 American mystery film directed by Frank McDonald. Starring Glenda Farrell as Torchy Blane, a fast-talking wisecracking female reporter, teaming up with her boyfriend detective Steve McBride, to solve the killing of an ...

'' (1937) *''

Her Husband's Secretary ''Her Husband's Secretary'' is a 1937 American drama film directed by Frank McDonald and written by Lillie Hayward. The film stars Jean Muir, Beverly Roberts, Warren Hull, Joseph Crehan, Clara Blandick and Addison Richards. The film was release ...

'' (1937) *'' Flirting with Fate'' (1938) *''

In Old Missouri ''In Old Missouri'' (1940) is a film starring the hillbilly comedy troupe the Weaver Brothers and Elviry, and released by Republic Pictures.

'' (1940) *'' Flying Blind'' (1941) *''

No Hands on the Clock ''No Hands on the Clock'' is a 1941 American comedy mystery film directed by Frank McDonald starring Chester Morris as detective Humphrey Campbell. The cast also included Jean Parker and Rose Hobart. It was produced by Pine-Thomas Productions ...

'' (1941) *'' Wrecking Crew'' (1942) *''

Submarine Alert ''Submarine Alert'' is a 1943 American film directed by Frank McDonald, produced by Pine-Thomas Productions and released by Paramount Pictures. The film stars Richard Arlen, Wendy Barrie, Nils Asther, Roger Pryor, Marc Lawrence and Ralph San ...

'' (1943) *''

O, My Darling Clementine ''O, My Darling Clementine'' is a 1943 American musical film directed by Frank McDonald and written by Dorrell McGowan and Stuart E. McGowan. The film stars Roy Acuff, Isabel Randolph, Harry Cheshire, Frank Albertson, Lorna Gray, and Irene Ry ...

'' (1943) *'' Alaska Highway'' (1943) *''

Gambler's Choice ''Gambler's Choice'' is a 1944 film directed by Frank McDonald and starring Chester Morris and Nancy Kelly. Plot In 1897, three children, Ross Hadley, Mike McGlennon and Mary Rogers, are brought before a judge for stealing a man's wallet. McGle ...

'' (1944) *''

Lights of Old Santa Fe ''Lights of Old Santa Fe'' is a 1944 American Western Musical film directed by Frank McDonald with a screenplay by Gordon Kahn and Bob Williams. The film stars Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. Plot A rodeo owner struggles to make her show a succes ...

'' (1944) *''

One Body Too Many ''One Body Too Many'' is a 1944 American comedy-mystery film directed by Frank McDonald, starring Bela Lugosi, Jack Haley and Lyle Talbot. Plot A timid insurance salesman Albert L. Tuttle (Jack Haley) visits eccentric millionaire Cyrus J. Ruth ...

'' (1944) *'' Timber Queen'' (1944) * ''

The Man from Oklahoma '' The Man from Oklahoma '' is a 1945 American western film directed by Frank McDonald and starring Roy Rogers, Dale Evans and George 'Gabby' Hayes. It was produced and distributed by Republic Pictures.Hurst p.232 Plot Jim Gardner, hoping to ...

'' (1945) *'' Scared Stiff'' (1945) *''

Tell It to a Star ''Tell It to a Star'' is a 1945 American musical film directed by Frank McDonald, written by John K. Butler, and starring Ruth Terry, Robert Livingston, Alan Mowbray, Franklin Pangborn, Isabel Randolph and Eddie Marr. It was released on August ...

'' (1945) * '' Along the Navajo Trail'' (1945) *''

Bells of Rosarita '' Bells of Rosarita '' is a 1945 American musical Western film starring Roy Rogers and directed by Frank McDonald. Plot Cowboy balladeer Roy Rogers meets Sue Farnum (Dale Evans), a girl returning from back East, who is cheated out of her inhe ...

'' (1945) *''

My Pal Trigger ''My Pal Trigger'' is a 1946 American Western musical film directed by Frank McDonald. The screenplay by Jack Townley and John K. Butler was based upon a story by Paul Gangelin. The film stars Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, George “Gabby” Hayes, ...

'' (1946) *''

Song of Arizona ''Song of Arizona'' is a 1946 American Western film directed by Frank McDonald and starring Roy Rogers, Dale Evans and George "Gabby" Hayes. It was produced and distributed by Republic Pictures. Plot Gabby Whittaker ("Gabby" Hayes) is in trou ...

'' (1946) *'' Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back'' (1947) *''

Gun Smugglers ''Gun Smugglers'' is a 1948 American Western directed by Frank McDonald. The film is a Tim Holt B Western wherein Holt serves as a scout for the army in search of some smuggled gattling guns. Tim Holt plays himself rather than a character.Rich ...

'' (1948) * '' French Leave'' (1948) *''

Mr. Reckless ''Mr. Reckless'' is a 1948 American adventure film directed by Frank McDonald. Cast *William Eythe as Jeff Lundy *Barbara Britton as Betty Denton *Walter Catlett as Joel Hawkins * Minna Gombell as Ma Hawkins *Lloyd Corrigan as Hugo Denton * N ...

'' (1948) *'' The Big Sombrero'' (1949) *''

Ringside Ringside may refer to: Sports *Ringside of a boxing ring *Ringside of a wrestling ring *Ringside seating (combat sports), see Ringside (boxing) Film *'' Ringside Maisie'', 1941 boxing film * ''Ringside'' (1949 film), American boxing drama film ...

'' (1949) * ''

Call of the Klondike ''Call of the Klondike'' is a 1950 American Northern film directed by Frank McDonald and starring Kirby Grant, Anne Gwynne, and Lynne Roberts. The film was the fourth in the series of ten films featuring Kirby Grant as a Canadian Mountie.Dre ...

'' (1950) * ''

Snow Dog ''Snow Dog'' is a 1950 American Northern film directed by Frank McDonald and starring Kirby Grant, Elena Verdugo and Rick Vallin. It was the third of a series of ten films featuring Grant as a Canadian Mountie.Drew, p. 225. Plot Cast * ...

'' (1950) * ''

Yukon Manhunt ''Yukon Manhunt'' is a 1951 American Northern film directed by Frank McDonald and starring Kirby Grant, Gail Davis and Margaret Field. The film was the sixth in the series of ten films featuring Kirby Grant as a Canadian Mountie.Drew, p. 22 ...

'' (1951) * '' Yellow Fin'' (1951) * '' Northwest Territory'' (1951) * ''

Sea Tiger The Sea Tigers (Tamil: கடற்புலிகள் ''Kaţaṛpulikaḷ'') was the naval wing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam during the Sri Lankan Civil War. It was founded in 1984. The Sea Tigers had a number of small but effectiv ...

(1952) * '' Yukon Gold'' (1952) * '' Son of Belle Starr'' (1953) * ''

The Big Tip Off ''The Big Tip Off'' is a 1955 American crime drama film directed by Frank McDonald and starring Richard Conte. Summary Richard Conte plays two-bit newspaper columnist Johnny Denton, who gains notoriety by printing tips on upcoming gangland act ...

'' (1955) * ''

Treasure of Ruby Hills ''Treasure of Ruby Hills'' is a 1955 American black-and-white Western (genre), Western film directed by Frank McDonald (director), Frank McDonald and starring Zachary Scott, Carole Mathews, Barton MacLane, Dick Foran, and Lola Albright. The fil ...

'' (1955) * ''

The Underwater City ''The Underwater City'' is a 1962 American science fiction film in Eastmancolor, about overcoming engineering obstacles for establishing an underwater living environment. The film was directed by Frank McDonald, produced by Alex Gordon and wri ...

'' (1962) * ''

Gunfight at Comanche Creek ''Gunfight at Comanche Creek'' is a 1963 American Western film directed by Frank McDonald and starring Audie Murphy.p. 194 Larkins, Bob & Magers, Boyd ''The Films of Audie Murphy'' McFarland, 19 Aug. 2009 Plot A gang of Colorado bank robber ...

'' (1963) *'' Mara of the Wilderness'' (1965)

References

External links

* American film directors Western (genre) film directors 1899 births 1980 deaths People from Baltimore Broadway theatre people {{US-film-director-1890s-stub