Frank Birney Ellis (February 26, 1897 – February 23, 1969) was an American actor in silent and sound films and serials. He appeared in more than 480 films between 1917 and 1954. He was born in

Oklahoma Oklahoma (; Choctaw language, Choctaw: ; chr, ᎣᎧᎳᎰᎹ, ''Okalahoma'' ) is a U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States, bordered by Texas on the south and west, Kansas on the nor ...

and died in

Los Angeles, California Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

. He appeared as a townsman in uncredited roles in the TV Western series ''

Gunsmoke ''Gunsmoke'' is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. It centers on Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s, during the settlement of the American West. The central character ...

'' -- S7E27's ”Wagon Girls” (1962); and S9E8's “Carter Caper” (1963).

Partial filmography

* ''

When a Man Sees Red ''When a Man Sees Red'' is a 1917 American silent drama film produced and distributed by the Fox Film Corporation and directed by Frank Lloyd. William Farnum stars in this now lost film. It was remade in 1934 as ''Pursued''. This was the debut ...

'' (1917) * ''

Elmo the Fearless ''Elmo the Fearless'' is a 1920 American silent action adventure film serial directed by J. P. McGowan and starring Elmo Lincoln and Louise Lorraine. The film is now considered to be lost. Cast * Elmo Lincoln as The Stranger * Louise Lorraine ...

'' (1920) * ''

Bringin' Home the Bacon ''Bringin' Home the Bacon'' is a 1924 American silent Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Jay Wilsey, Jean Arthur and Bert Lindley. Cast * Jay Wilsey as Bill Winton * Jean Arthur as Nancy Norton * Bert Lindley as Joe Breed * ...

'' (1924) * '' The Outlaw Express'' (1926) * ''

The Desert Demon ''The Desert Demon'' is a 1925 American silent Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Jay Wilsey, Betty Morrissey, and Harry Todd. Plot As described in a film magazine review, Bill Davis, also known as Buffalo Bill, Jr., saves a ...

'' (1925) * ''

Ace of Action ''Ace of Action'' is a 1926 American silent Western film directed by William Bertram and starring Hal Taliaferro, Alma Rayford and Charles Colby. Plot synopsis A feud develops between two families, the Waltons and the Darcys, regarding own ...

'' (1926) * '' The Road Agent'' (1926) * '' Whispering Smith Rides'' (1927) * ''

The Valley of Hunted Men ''The Valley of Hunted Men'' is a 1928 American silent Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Jay Wilsey, Oscar Apfel and Kathleen Collins.Langman, p. 483 Cast * Jay Wilsey as Tom Mallory * Oscar Apfel as Dan Phillips * Kathle ...

'' (1928) * ''

Yellow Contraband ''Yellow Contraband'' is a 1928 American silent thriller film directed by Leo D. Maloney and starring Maloney, Eileen Sedgwick and Noble Johnson.Munden, p. 930. Cast * Leo D. Maloney as Leo McMahon / Blackie Harris * Eileen Sedgwick as Ma ...

'' (1928) * '' The Viking'' (1928) * '' Two Tars'' (1928) * ''

Law of the Mounted ''Law of the Mounted'' is a 1928 American silent Western film directed by J.P. McGowan and starring Bob Custer, Cliff Lyons and Mary Mayberry.McGowan p. 169 Synopsis A Mountie officer on the trail of some fur thieves, discovers they are also ...

'' (1928) * '' Westward Bound'' (1930) * ''

Breed of the West ''Breed of the West'' is a 1930 American Western film directed by Alan James, starring Hal Taliaferro, Virginia Brown Faire, and Buzz Barton. Plot Wally Weldon works as a ranch hand on Colonel Jim Sterner's ranch, reporting in to Longrope Whe ...

'' (1930) * ''

Trails of Danger ''Trails of Danger'' is a 1930 American pre-Code Western film directed by Alan James and starring Hal Taliaferro. Plot An American soldier returns from World War I without any money and finds himself forced into the life of a western criminal ...

'' (1931) * '' Quick Trigger Lee'' (1931) * ''

Forbidden Trail ''Forbidden Trail'' is a 1932 American pre-Code western film directed by Lambert Hillyer and starring Buck Jones, Barbara Weeks and George Cooper.Pitts p.112 Cast * Buck Jones as Tom Devlin * Barbara Weeks as Mary Middleton * George Cooper ...

'' (1932) * ''

Treason Treason is the crime of attacking a state authority to which one owes allegiance. This typically includes acts such as participating in a war against one's native country, attempting to overthrow its government, spying on its military, its diplo ...

'' (1933) * ''

Unknown Valley ''Unknown Valley'' is a 1933 American pre-Code Western film directed by Lambert Hillyer and starring Buck Jones, Cecilia Parker and Wade Boteler.Balio, p. 334 It was shot at the Iverson Ranch in California. Cast * Buck Jones as Joe Gordon (as ...

'' (1933) * ''

Lawless Range ''Lawless Range'' is a 1935 American Western film released by Republic Pictures, directed by Robert N. Bradbury and starring John Wayne. He appears as a "singing cowboy" in the film, with his singing voice dubbed by Glenn Strange, who later ...

'' (1935) * ''

Riders of the Whistling Skull ''Riders of the Whistling Skull'' is a 1937 " Three Mesquiteers" Western B-movie of the weird western genre starring Bob Livingston, Ray "Crash" Corrigan, and ventriloquist Max Terhune with his dummy Elmer. It was directed by Mack V. Wright, p ...

'' (1937) * ''

Two-Fisted Sheriff ''Two-Fisted Sheriff'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by Leon Barsha, starring Charles Starrett and Barbara Weeks. Cast * Charles Starrett as Sheriff Dick Houston * Barbara Weeks as Molly Herrick * Bruce Lane as Bob Pearson * Edw ...

'' (1937) * ''

The Marshal of Mesa City ''The Marshal of Mesa City'' is a 1939 American Western film directed by David Howard from a screenplay by Jack Lait Jr.. Although no story credit was given, this film bears a striking similarity to the 1935 western, ''The Arizonian'', whose s ...

'' (1939) * ''

Roll Wagons Roll ''Roll Wagons Roll'' is a 1940 American Western film directed by Albert Herman and starring Tex Ritter, Nelson McDowell and Muriel Evans Muriel Evans (born Muriel Adele Evanson; July 20, 1910 – October 26, 2000) was an American film a ...

'' (1940) * ''

Covered Wagon Trails ''Covered Wagon Trails'' is a 1940 American Western film directed by Raymond K. Johnson, starring Jack Randall, Sally Cairns and Lafe McKee. Cast * Jack Randall as Jack Cameron * Sally Cairns as Carol Bradford * Lafe McKee as John Bradfo ...

'' (1940) * ''

The Lone Rider Crosses the Rio ''The Lone Rider Crosses the Rio'' is a 1941 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield and written by William Lively. The film stars George Houston as the Lone Rider and Al St. John as his sidekick "Fuzzy" Jones, with Roquell Verria, Cha ...

'' (1941) * ''

The Lone Rider in Frontier Fury ''The Lone Rider in Frontier Fury'' is a 1941 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield. The film stars George Houston as the "Lone Rider" and Al St. John as his sidekick "Fuzzy" Jones, with Hillary Brooke, Karl Hackett, Ted Adams and ...

'' (1941) * ''

The Lone Rider Fights Back ''The Lone Rider Fights Back'' is a 1941 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield and written by Joseph O'Donnell. The film stars George Houston as the Lone Rider and Al St. John as his sidekick "Fuzzy" Jones, with Dorothy Short, Denni ...

'' (1941) * ''

The Kid's Last Ride ''The Kid's Last Ride'' is a 1941 American Western film directed by S. Roy Luby and written by Earle Snell. The film is the fifth in Monogram Pictures' "Range Busters" series, and it stars Ray "Crash" Corrigan as Crash, John "Dusty" King as Du ...

'' (1941) * ''

Wrangler's Roost ''Wrangler's Roost'' is a 1941 American Western film directed by S. Roy Luby and written by John Vlahos and Robert Finkle. The film is the seventh in Monogram Pictures' "Range Busters" series, and it stars Ray "Crash" Corrigan as Crash, John "D ...

'' (1941) * ''

Billy the Kid in Santa Fe ''Billy the Kid in Santa Fe'' is a 1941 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield. This film is the sixth in the "Billy the Kid" film series, produced by PRC from 1940 to 1946, and the last to star Bob Steele. In the next film, ''Billy ...

'' (1941) * ''

Billy the Kid Wanted ''Billy the Kid Wanted'' is a 1941 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield. This film is the seventh in the "Billy the Kid" film series produced by PRC from 1940 to 1946, and the first starring Buster Crabbe as Billy the Kid, replacing ...

'' (1941) * ''

Outlaws of Boulder Pass ''Outlaws of Boulder Pass'' is a 1942 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield. The film stars George Houston as the "Lone Rider" and Al St. John as his sidekick "Fuzzy" Jones, and Dennis Moore as Sheriff Smoky Hammer, with Marjorie Mann ...

'' (1942) * ''

Thundering Hoofs ''Thundering Hoofs'' is a 1942 American Western film directed by Lesley Selander and starring Tim Holt. It was the first of many films Holt made with Selander.Richard Jewell & Vernon Harbin, ''The RKO Story.'' New Rochelle, New York: Arlington ...

'' (1942) * ''

Rock River Renegades ''Rock River Renegades'' is a 1942 American Western film directed by S. Roy Luby. The film is the thirteenth in Monogram Pictures' "Range Busters" series, and it stars Ray "Crash" Corrigan as Crash, John "Dusty" King as Dusty and Max "Alibi" ...

'' (1942) * ''

Texas Trouble Shooters ''Texas Trouble Shooters'' is a 1942 American Western film directed by S. Roy Luby and written by Arthur Hoerl. The film is the fifteenth in Monogram Pictures' "Range Busters" series, and it stars Ray "Crash" Corrigan as Crash, John "Dusty" Ki ...

'' (1942) * ''

Arizona Stage Coach ''Arizona Stage Coach'' is a 1942 American Western film directed by S. Roy Luby. The film is the sixteenth in Monogram Pictures' "Range Busters" series, and it stars Ray "Crash" Corrigan as Crash, John "Dusty" King as Dusty and Max "Alibi" Te ...

'' (1942) * ''

Texas to Bataan ''Texas to Bataan'' is a 1942 American Western film directed by Robert Emmett Tansey. The film is the seventeenth in Monogram Pictures' "Range Busters" series, and it stars John "Dusty" King as Dusty, "Davy" Sharpe and Max "Alibi" Terhune, ...

'' (1942) * ''

Billy the Kid's Smoking Guns ''Billy the Kid's Smoking Guns'' is a 1942 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield and written by Milton Raison and George Wallace Sayre. The film stars Buster Crabbe, Al St. John, Dave O'Brien, John Merton, Milton Kibbee and Ted Adams ...

'' (1942) * ''

Wild Horse Rustlers ''Wild Horse Rustlers'' is a 1943 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield and written by Joseph O'Donnell. The film stars Robert Livingston as the Lone Rider and Al St. John as his sidekick "Fuzzy Jones", with Lane Chandler, Linda Leigh ...

'' (1943) * ''

Law of the Saddle ''Law of the Saddle'' is a 1943 American Western film directed by Melville De Lay and written by Fred Myton. The film stars Robert Livingston as the Lone Rider and Al St. John as his sidekick "Fuzzy Jones", with Betty Miles, Lane Chandler, Jo ...

'' (1943) * ''

Raiders of Red Gap ''Raiders of Red Gap'' is a 1943 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield and written by Joseph O'Donnell. The film stars Robert Livingston as the Lone Rider and Al St. John as his sidekick "Fuzzy Jones", with Myrna Dell, Ed Cassidy, ...

'' (1943) * '' Two Fisted Justice'' (1943) * ''

Cowboy Commandos ''Cowboy Commandos'' is a 1943 American Western film directed by S. Roy Luby and written by Elizabeth Beecher. The film is the twenty-second in Monogram Pictures' " Range Busters" series, and it stars Ray "Crash" Corrigan as Dusty, Dennis ...

'' (1943) * ''

Black Market Rustlers ''Black Market Rustlers'' is a 1943 American Western film directed by S. Roy Luby and written by Patricia Harper. The film is the twenty-third in Monogram Pictures' "Range Busters" series, and it stars Ray "Crash" Corrigan as Dusty, Dennis M ...

'' (1943) * ''

Fugitive of the Plains ''Fugitive of the Plains'' is a 1943 American Producers Releasing Corporation Western film of the "Billy the Kid" series directed by Sam Newfield. In April 1947 PRC re-released the film as a "streamlined" (edited) "Bronco Buckaroo" version re ...

'' (1943) * ''

Cattle Stampede ''Cattle Stampede'' is a 1943 American Producers Releasing Corporation Western film of the "Billy the Kid" series directed by Sam Newfield. Plot Pursued through Arizona by a gang of outlaws turned bounty hunters for the massive reward on Bill ...

'' (1943) * ''

Blazing Frontier ''Blazing Frontier'' is a 1943 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield. The film is also known as ''Blazing Range'' (American recut version). Cast *Buster Crabbe as Billy the Kid *Al St. John as Fuzzy Q. Jones *Marjorie Manners as Hel ...

'' (1943) * '' The Underdog'' (1943) * ''

Wild Horse Phantom ''Wild Horse Phantom'' is a 1944 American Producers Releasing Corporation Western film of the "Billy the Kid" series directed by Sam Newfield. Plot The film begins with a breakout of five inmates from a modern day prison. Watching the escape ...

'' (1944) * ''

Oath of Vengeance In Mormonism, the oath of vengeance (or law of vengeance) was part of the endowment ritual of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Participants swore an oath to pray for God to avenge the blood of prophets Joseph Smith and ...

'' (1944) * '' Gun Smoke'' (1945) * ''

Shadows of Death ''Shadows of Death'' is a 1945 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield. Premise Billy Carson tracks down the murderer of a man carrying news of the railroad traveling through the town of Red Rock, where Fuzzy Q. Jones is Justice of the ...

'' (1945) * ''

Overland Riders ''Overland Riders'' is a 1946 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield and written by Ellen Coyle. The film stars Buster Crabbe, Al St. John, Patti McCarty, Slim Whitaker, Bud Osborne and Jack O'Shea. The film was released on August 21, ...

'' (1946) * ''

Gentlemen with Guns ''Gentlemen with Guns'' is a 1946 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield and written by Fred Myton. The film stars Buster Crabbe, Al St. John, Patricia Knox, Steve Darrell, George Chesebro, Karl Hackett, Budd Buster and Frank Ellis. ...

'' (1946) * ''

Swing, Cowboy, Swing ''Swing, Cowboy, Swing'' is a 1946 American musical Western film directed by Elmer Clifton and starring Cal Shrum, Max Terhune and Alta Lee.Pitts p.341 It was shot at the Corriganville Movie Ranch in California. In 1949 it was reissued under t ...

'' (1946) * ''

Prairie Badmen ''Prairie Badmen'' is a 1946 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield and written by Fred Myton. The film stars Buster Crabbe, Al St. John, Patricia Knox, Charles King, Ed Cassidy and Kermit Maynard. The film was released on July 17, 194 ...

'' (1946) * '' Out West'' (1947) * '' Stage to Mesa City'' (1947) * ''

Deadline Deadline(s) or The Deadline(s) may refer to: * Time limit, a narrow field of time by which an objective must be accomplished Arts, entertainment, and media Comics * Deadline (DC Comics), a fictional villain * ''Deadline'' (magazine), a British ...

'' (1948) * ''

Mysterious Island ''The Mysterious Island'' (french: L'Île mystérieuse) is a novel by Jules Verne, published in 1875. The original edition, published by Hetzel, contains a number of illustrations by Jules Férat. The novel is a crossover sequel to Verne's fam ...

'' (1951) * ''

Captain Video ''Captain Video and His Video Rangers'' is an American science fiction television series that aired on the DuMont Television Network and was the first series of its genre on American television. The series aired between June 27, 1949, and Apri ...

'' (1951) * ''

King of the Congo ''King of the Congo'' is a 1952 American 15 chapter movie serial, the 48th released by Columbia Pictures. It was produced by Sam Katzman, directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet and Wallace Grissell, and stars Buster Crabbe. The serial also co-stars G ...

'' (1952) * ''

Son of Geronimo ''Son of Geronimo'' is a 1952 American Western Serial film directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet and starring Clayton Moore. Plot Jim Scott attempts to bring peace between west-bound settlers and native Apaches. This task is made harder by a band ...

'' (1952) * ''

Pals and Gals ''Pals and Gals'' is a 1954 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Shemp Howard). It is the 155th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the c ...

'' (1954)

References

External links

* 1897 births 1969 deaths Male actors from Oklahoma American male film actors American male silent film actors 20th-century American male actors Male Western (genre) film actors {{US-film-actor-1890s-stub