Frankie Darro (born Frank Johnson, Jr.; December 22, 1917 – December 25, 1976) was an American actor and later in his career a stuntman. He began his career as a

child actor The term child actor or child actress is generally applied to a child acting on stage or in movies or television. An adult who began their acting career as a child may also be called a child actor, or a "former child actor". Closely associated t ...

silent film A silent film is a film with no synchronized Sound recording and reproduction, recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) ...

s, progressed to lead roles and co-starring roles in

adventure An adventure is an exciting experience or undertaking that is typically bold, sometimes risky. Adventures may be activities with danger such as traveling, exploring, skydiving, mountain climbing, scuba diving, river rafting, or other extreme ...

western Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US *Western, New York, a town in the US *Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western world, countries that id ...

, dramatic, and comedy films, and later became a character actor and

voice-over artist Voice acting is the art of performing voice-overs to present a character or provide information to an audience. Performers are called voice actors/actresses, voice artists, dubbing artists, voice talent, voice-over artists, or voice-over talent ...

. He is perhaps best known for his role as Lampwick, the unlucky boy who turns into a donkey in Walt Disney's second animated feature, ''

Pinocchio Pinocchio ( , ) is a fictional character and the protagonist of the children's novel '' The Adventures of Pinocchio'' (1883) by Italian writer Carlo Collodi of Florence, Tuscany. Pinocchio was carved by a woodcarver named Geppetto in a Tuscan ...

'' (1940). In early credits, his last name was spelled Darrow.

Early life

Frankie Darro was born on Saturday, December 22, 1917, in

Chicago, Illinois (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

, as Frank Johnson, Jr. His parents, Frank Johnson, Sr. and his wife Ada, were known as ''The Flying Johnsons'', a acrobatics and

tightrope walking Tightrope walking, also called funambulism, is the skill of walking along a thin wire or rope. It has a long tradition in various countries and is commonly associated with the circus. Other skills similar to tightrope walking include slack rope ...

act with the

Sells Floto Circus The Sells Floto Circus was a combination of the Floto Dog & Pony Show and the Sells Brothers Circus that toured with sideshow acts in the United States during the early 1900s. History Frederick Gilmer Bonfils and Harry Heye Tammen owned the firs ...

; it was a profession that his father attempted to train him in, and he cured Frankie's fear of heights by having him walk on a length of tightrope wire, gradually raising the height of it until his son had mastered the trick. In 1922, while the circus was in

California California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...

, his parents divorced, and their circus act ended along with their marriage. The growing film industry, however, found a use for a small child who could do his own stunts, and the young Johnson, renamed "Frankie Darro," appeared in his first film at the age of six.Frankie Darro biography
at (re)Search my Trash, retrieved 28 May 2007

Acting career

As a child actor, he appeared in many silent

, and serial pictures of the 1920s. His visual appeal and his obvious comfort before the cameras kept him steadily employed. Darro remained popular in serials as the star or co-star; he appeared in the serial ''

The Phantom Empire ''The Phantom Empire'' is a 1935 American Western serial film directed by Otto Brower and B. Reeves Eason and starring Gene Autry, Frankie Darro, and Betsy King Ross.Magers 2007, p. 21. This 12-chapter Mascot Pictures serial combined the ...

'', opposite the new cowboy star Gene Autry. Darro was featured in Mervyn LeRoy's ''

Three on a Match ''Three on a Match'' is a 1932 American pre-Code crime drama released by Warner Bros. The film was directed by Mervyn LeRoy and stars Joan Blondell, Warren William, Ann Dvorak and Bette Davis. The film also features Lyle Talbot, Humphrey Bog ...

'' in 1932 and was the principal character in the James Cagney feature ''

The Mayor of Hell ''The Mayor of Hell'' is a 1933 American pre-Code Warner Brothers film starring James Cagney. The film was remade in 1938 as ''Crime School'' with Humphrey Bogart taking over James Cagney's role and '' Hell's Kitchen'' with Ronald Reagan in 1939. ...

'' (1933). His most important role during the 1930s was as the lead in ''

Wild Boys of the Road ''Wild Boys of the Road'' is a 1933 pre-Code Depression-era American drama film directed by William Wellman and starring Frankie Darro, Rochelle Hudson, and Grant Mitchell. It tells the story of several teens forced into becoming hobos. The s ...

'', director

William Wellman William Augustus Wellman (February 29, 1896 – December 9, 1975) was an American film director, producer, screenwriter, actor and military pilot. He was known for his work in crime, adventure, and action genre films, often focusing on a ...

's indictment of teens vagabonding across America during the Depression. From then on, he was usually cast as a pint-sized tough guy, although he also played wholesome leads in mysteries and comedies. Darro's name grew in stature, but he himself didn't: he stood only 5'3", limiting his potential as a

leading man A leading actor, leading actress, or simply lead (), plays the role of the protagonist of a film, television show or play. The word ''lead'' may also refer to the largest role in the piece, and ''leading actor'' may refer to a person who typica ...

. His wiry, athletic frame and relatively short stature often typecast him as a jockey. Darro played a crooked rider in ''

Charlie Chan at the Race Track ''Charlie Chan at the Race Track'' is the 12th film in the 20th Century Fox-produced Charlie Chan series starring Warner Oland in the title role. Plot When a prominent racehorse owner winds up dead-allegedly kicked to death by his prized stall ...

'' and '' A Day at the Races''. In 1938 Darro joined Monogram Pictures to star in a series of action melodramas. Darro's flair for comedy gradually increased the laugh content in these films. By 1940

Mantan Moreland Mantan Moreland (September 3, 1902 – September 28, 1973) was an American actor and comedian most popular in the 1930s and 1940s. He starred in numerous films. His daughter Marcella Moreland appeared as a child actress in several films. E ...

was hired to play his sidekick. The Frankie Darro series was so successful that Monogram used it as a haven for performers whose own series had been discontinued:

Jackie Moran Jackie Moran (January 26, 1923 – September 20, 1990) was an American movie actor who, between 1936 and 1946, appeared in over thirty films, primarily in teenage roles. Early life and Hollywood career A native of Mattoon, Illinois, Jo ...

Marcia Mae Jones Marcia Mae Jones (August 1, 1924 – September 2, 2007) was an American film and television actress whose prolific career spanned 57 years. Early years Jones was the youngest of four children born to actress Freda Jones. All three of her ...

, and

Keye Luke Keye Luke (, Cantonese: Luk Shek Kee; June 18, 1904 – January 12, 1991) was a Chinese-born American film and television actor, technical advisor and artist and a founding member of the Screen Actors Guild. He was known for playing Lee Chan, t ...

joined Darro and Moreland in 1940, and

Gale Storm Josephine Owaissa Cottle (April 5, 1922 – June 27, 2009), known professionally as Gale Storm, was an American actress and singer. After a film career from 1940 to 1952, she starred in two popular television programs of the 1950s, '' My Litt ...

was added in 1941. Darro served in the

US Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

Hospital Corps during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

. He contracted

malaria Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that affects humans and other animals. Malaria causes symptoms that typically include fever, tiredness, vomiting, and headaches. In severe cases, it can cause jaundice, seizures, coma, or death. S ...

while enlisted. Upon his return to civilian life, Monogram welcomed him back and cast the perennially youthful Darro in its ''

The Teen Agers The Teen Agers is a series of seven coming-of-age musical comedy-drama films made by Monogram Pictures from 1946 to 1948. A follow-up to the East Side Kids, the series stars Freddie Stewart and June Preisser. The films were initially produced ...

'' campus comedies. When that series ended, the studio gave Darro four featured roles in its popular Bowery Boys comedies. Darro's last assignment for Monogram was doubling for

Leo Gorcey Leo Bernard Gorcey (June 3, 1917– June 2, 1969) was an American stage and film actor, famous for portraying the leader of a group of hooligans known variously as the Dead End Kids, the East Side Kids and, as adults, The Bowery Boys. Gorcey was ...

in '' Blues Busters'' in 1950.

Later life

Darro's recurring malaria symptoms caused him to increase his alcohol intake for pain management, and this affected his career. As film and TV roles became fewer, Darro opened his own tavern, naming it "Try Later," after the response he most often received when he asked Central Casting for work. His new occupation proved unwise, however, given his heavy drinking. By the mid-1950s, he had become too risky for producers to hire steadily. No longer starring in films, Darro accepted smaller roles and did stunt work for other actors in various films. Darro is probably best known to modern audiences for two films in which he isn't even seen:

Walt Disney Walter Elias Disney (; December 5, 1901December 15, 1966) was an American animator, film producer and entrepreneur. A pioneer of the American animation industry, he introduced several developments in the production of cartoons. As a film p ...

's ''Pinocchio'' (1940, as the voice of Lampwick), and ''

Forbidden Planet ''Forbidden Planet'' is a 1956 American science fiction film from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, produced by Nicholas Nayfack, and directed by Fred M. Wilcox from a script by Cyril Hume that was based on an original film story by Allen Adler and Irvi ...

'' (1956, as one of the actor/operators ''inside'' the now iconic 7-foot-tall "

Robby the Robot Robby the Robot is a fictional character and science fiction icon who first appeared in the 1956 film '' Forbidden Planet''. He made a number of subsequent appearances in science fiction films and television programs, which has given him the ...

").Weaver, Tom ''Robert Dix Interview'' ''Earth Vs. The Sci-Fi Filmmakers: 20 Interviews'', p. 72, McFarland, July 30, 2005. Darro did continue to play small parts well into the 1960s, mostly on

television Television, sometimes shortened to TV, is a telecommunication medium for transmitting moving images and sound. The term can refer to a television set, or the medium of television transmission. Television is a mass medium for advertisin ...

: ''

The Red Skelton Show ''The Red Skelton Show'' is an American television comedy/variety show that aired from 1951 to 1971. In the decade prior to hosting the show, Richard "Red" Skelton had a successful career as a radio and motion pictures star. Although his televi ...

'', ''

Bat Masterson Bartholemew William Barclay "Bat" Masterson (November 26, 1853 – October 25, 1921) was a U.S. Army scout, lawman, professional gambler, and journalist known for his exploits in the 19th and early 20th-century American Old West. He was born to ...

'', '' Have Gun—Will Travel'', ''

The Untouchables Untouchables or The Untouchables may refer to: American history * Untouchables (law enforcement), a 1930s American law enforcement unit led by Eliot Ness * ''The Untouchables'' (book), an autobiography by Eliot Ness and Oscar Fraley * ''The U ...

'', '' Alfred Hitchcock Presents'', ''

The Addams Family ''The Addams Family'' is a fictional family created by American cartoonist Charles Addams. They originally appeared in a series of 150 unrelated single-panel cartoons, about half of which were originally published in ''The New Yorker'' over ...

'', and '' Batman'' (episodes 9 and 10). He also did voice-over work for various projects.

Death

While visiting an ex-wife and his step-daughter Christy in Huntington Beach, California, Darro died of a

heart attack A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops to the coronary artery of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort which ma ...

on Christmas Day 1976, three days after his 59th birthday. His remains were cremated and his ashes were scattered into the

Pacific Ocean The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest of Earth's five oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Southern Ocean (or, depending on definition, to Antarctica) in the south, and is bounded by the contin ...

Selected filmography

*''

Judgment of the Storm ''Judgment of the Storm'' is a 1924 American silent drama film directed by Del Andrews and starring Lloyd Hughes, Lucille Ricksen, and George Hackathorne George Hackathorne (February 13, 1896 – June 25, 1940) was an American actor of ...

'' (1924) as Heath Twin (first role) *''

Half-A-Dollar-Bill ''Half-A-Dollar-Bill'' is a surviving 1924 American silent drama film directed by W. S. Van Dyke and starring Anna Q. Nilsson. It was produced by an independent company and released through Metro Pictures. Plot As described in a film magazine ...

'' (1924) as Half-A-Dollar-Bill *''

The Signal Tower ''The Signal Tower'' is a 1924 American silent drama film directed by Clarence Brown and produced and distributed by Universal Pictures. The film stars Virginia Valli, Rockliffe Fellowes, and Wallace Beery. Cast *Virginia Valli as Sally Taylor ...

'' (1924) as Sonny Taylor *''

Racing for Life ''Racing for Life'' is a 1924 American silent action film directed by Henry MacRae and starring Eva Novak, William Fairbanks and Philo McCullough.Munden p.627 Cast * Eva Novak as Grace Danton * William Fairbanks as Jack Grant * Philo McCullo ...

'' (1924) as Jimmy Danton *''

Roaring Rails ''Roaring Rails'' is a 1924 American silent Western film directed by Tom Forman and featuring Harry Carey. Cast * Harry Carey as Big Bill Benson * Frankie Darro as Little Bill * Edith Roberts as Nora Burke * Wallace MacDonald as Malcolm Gre ...

'' (1924) as Little Bill *'' So Big'' (1924) as Dirk DeJong (child) * '' Women and Gold'' (1925) as Dan Barclay Jr. *''

The Fearless Lover ''The Fearless Lover'' is a lost 1925 American silent drama film directed by Scott R. Dunlap and Henry MacRae and starring William Fairbanks, Eva Novak, and Tom Kennedy. Plot As described in a film magazine reviews, Patrick Michael Casey, son o ...

'' (1925) as Frankie *''

Her Husband's Secret ''Her Husband's Secret'' is a 1925 American silent drama film directed by Frank Lloyd and starring Antonio Moreno, Patsy Ruth Miller, and Ruth Clifford Ruth Clifford (February 17, 1900 – November 30, 1998) was an American actress of lea ...

'' (1925) as Young Elliot Owen *'' Confessions of a Queen'' (1925) as Prince Zara *'' Fighting the Flames'' (1925) as Mickey *'' Let's Go, Gallagher'' (1925) as Little Joey *'' Wandering Footsteps'' (1925) as Billy *'' The Wyoming Wildcat'' (1925) as Barnie Finn * '' The People vs. Nancy Preston'' (1925) as Bubsy * '' The Phantom Express'' (1925) as 'Daddles' Lane - Nora's Brother *''The Midnight Flyer'' (1925) as Young Davey * ''

The Cowboy Musketeer ''The Cowboy Musketeer'' is a 1925 American silent Western film directed by Robert De Lacey and starring Tom Tyler, Frankie Darro, and David Dunbar. In the film, a cowboy helps a woman find the hidden gold mine she has inherited from her fathe ...

'' (1925) as Billy Gordon *''

Mike Mike may refer to: Animals * Mike (cat), cat and guardian of the British Museum * Mike the Headless Chicken, chicken that lived for 18 months after his head had been cut off * Mike (chimpanzee), a chimpanzee featured in several books and docume ...

'' (1926) as Boy *'' Born to Battle'' (1926) as Birdie *''

The Thrill Hunter ''The Thrill Hunter'' is a 1933 American pre-Code comedy film directed by George B. Seitz. Buck Jones stars as a habitual teller of tall tales, while Dorothy Revier plays the film star he tries to impress. Plot Braggart Buck Crosby rescues mov ...

'' (1926) as Boy Prince *'' Memory Lane'' (1926) as Urchin *'' The Arizona Streak '' (1926) as Mike *'' Kiki'' (1926) as Pierre *'' Wild to Go'' (1926) as Frankie Blake *''

The Masquerade Bandit ''The Masquerade Bandit'' is a 1926 American silent Western film directed by Robert De Lacey and starring Tom Tyler, Dorothy Dunbar and Ethan Laidlaw.Munden, p. 499 Cast * Tom Tyler as Jeff Morton * Dorothy Dunbar as Molly Marble * Ethan Lai ...

'' (1926) as Tim Marble *''

Hearts and Spangles ''Hearts and Spangles'' is a 1926 American silent drama film directed by Frank O'Connor and starring Wanda Hawley, Robert Gordon and Frankie Darro.Munden p.334 A medical student is expelled from college and disowned by his father, and goes to ...

'' (1926) as Bobby *''

The Cowboy Cop ''The Cowboy Cop'' is a 1926 American silent Western romance film produced by Robertson-Cole and released through Film Booking Offices of America, better known as FBO. The young female lead is played by Jean Arthur. A copy is held at Nederla ...

'' (1926) as Frankie *'' The Carnival Girl'' (1926) as Her Brother *''

Tom and His Pals ''Tom and His Pals'' is a 1926 American silent Western film directed by Robert De Lacey and starring Tom Tyler, Doris Hill and Frankie Darro.Munden, p. 818 It was released in Britain under the alternative title of ''Movie Struck''. A film com ...

'' (1926) as Frankie Smith *''

Out of the West ''Out of the West'' is a 1926 American silent film, silent Western (genre), Western film directed by Robert De Lacey and written by Wyndham Gittens. The film stars Tom Tyler, Bernice Welch, L.J. O'Connor, Ethan Laidlaw, Alfred Hewston and Franki ...

'' (1926) as Frankie O'Connor *'' Red Hot Hoofs'' (1926) as Frankie Buckley *''

Flesh and the Devil ''Flesh and the Devil'' is an American silent romantic drama film released in 1927 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and stars Greta Garbo, John Gilbert, Lars Hanson, and Barbara Kent, directed by Clarence Brown, and based on the novel ''The Undying ...

'' (1926) as Boy Who Dances with Hertha (uncredited) *''

Her Father Said No ''Her Father Said No'' is a 1927 American comedy film directed by Jack McKeown and written by Al Boasberg. The film stars Mary Brian, Danny O'Shea, Al Cooke, Kit Guard, John Steppling and Frankie Darro. The film was released on January 2, 1927 ...

'' (1927) as Matt Doe *''

Enemies of Society ''Enemies of Society'' is a 1927 American silent film directed by Ralph Ince and starring Conway Tearle, Margaret Morris (actress), Margaret Morris and Frankie Darro. It is also known by the alternative title of ''Moulders of Men''. Cast * Conwa ...

'' (1927) as Sandy Barry *''

Long Pants ''Long Pants'' (also known as ''Johnny Newcomer'') is a 1927 American silent comedy film directed by Frank Capra and starring Harry Langdon. Additional cast members include Gladys Brockwell, Alan Roscoe, and Priscilla Bonner. Plot The silent ...

'' (1927) as Young Harry Shelby (uncredited) *'' Cyclone of the Range'' (1927) as Frankie Butler *''

Tom's Gang ''Tom's Gang'' is a 1927 American silent Western film directed by Robert De Lacey and starring Tom Tyler, Sharon Lynn and Frankie Darro.Langman, p. 459 Cast * Tom Tyler as Dave Collins * Sharon Lynn as Lucille Rogers * Frankie Darro as Sp ...

'' (1927) as Spuds *''

Lightning Lariats ''Lightning Lariats'' is a 1927 American silent film, silent Western (genre), Western film directed by Robert De Lacey and starring Tom Tyler, Dorothy Dunbar and Frankie Darro. Plot Following a revolution in his Balkan country, King Alexis esca ...

'' (1927) as King Alexis *''

Judgment of the Hills ''Judgment of the Hills'' is a 1927 American silent drama film directed by James Leo Meehan and starring Virginia Valli, Frankie Darro and Orville Caldwell.Munden p.397 The film is set in the Cumberland Mountains of Kentucky during World War I. ...

'' (1927) as Tad Dennison *'' The Flying U Ranch'' (1927) as Chip Jr * ''

The Desert Pirate ''The Desert Pirate'' is a 1927 American silent Western film directed by James Dugan and starring Tom Tyler, Frankie Darro and Duane Thompson.Katchmerp.967 Cast * Tom Tyler as Tom Corrigan * Frankie Darro as Jimmy Rand * Duane Thompson as A ...

'' (1927) as Jimmy Rand *''

Little Mickey Grogan ''Little Mickey Grogan'' is a 1927 American comedy-drama film directed by James Leo Meehan and written by Dwight Cummins, Dorothy Yost and Charles Kerr. The film stars Frankie Darro, Lassie Lou Ahern, Jobyna Ralston, Carroll Nye, Eugene Jack ...

'' (1927) as Mickey Grogan *'' The Texas Tornado'' (1928) as Buddy Martin *''

When the Law Rides ''When the Law Rides'' is a 1928 American silent Western film directed by Robert De Lacey and starring Tom Tyler, Jane Reid and Frankie Darro.Langman, p. 504 Cast * Tom Tyler as Tom O'Malley * Jane Reid as Becky Ross * Frankie Darro as Fra ...

'' (1928) as Frankie Ross *''

Phantom of the Range ''Phantom of the Range'' is a 1928 American silent Western film directed by James Dugan and starring Tom Tyler, Frankie Darro and Duane Thompson.Munden, p. 602 In 1931 it was remade as a sound film '' The Cheyenne Cyclone''. Tyler also starred ...

'' (1928) as Spuds O'Brien *''

Terror Mountain ''Terror Mountain'' is a 1928 American silent Western film directed by Louis King and written by Frank Howard Clark and Helen Gregg. The film stars Tom Tyler, Jane Reid, Al Ferguson, Jules Cowles and Frankie Darro. The film was released on Au ...

'' (1928) as Buddy Roberts *'' The Circus Kid'' (1928) as Buddy *''

The Avenging Rider ''The Avenging Rider'' is a 1943 American Western film directed by Sam Nelson and starring Tim Holt Charles John "Tim" Holt III (February 5, 1919 – February 15, 1973) was an American actor. He was a popular Western star during the 1940 ...

'' (1928) as Frankie Sheridan *''

Tyrant of Red Gulch ''Tyrant of Red Gulch'', also known as ''The Sorcerer'', is a 1928 American silent Western film directed by Robert De Lacey and starring Tom Tyler, Frankie Darro and Josephine Borio.Langman, p. 484 It was made by Joseph Kennedy's FBO studio ...

'' (1928) as 'Tip' *''Trail of the Horse Thieves'' (1929) as Buddy *''Gun Law'' (1929) as Buster Brown *'' Idaho Red'' (1929) as Tadpole *''

The Rainbow Man ''The Rainbow Man'' (known as ''La valle delle rose'' in Italy) is a 1929 American pre-Code musical film, musical drama film. A copy of ''The Rainbow Man'' is preserved by the Library of Congress Packard Campus. Cast *Eddie Dowling as Rainbow ...

'' (1929) as Billy Ryan *''

The Pride of Pawnee ''The Pride of Pawnee'' is a 1929 American silent Western film directed by Robert De Lacey and starring Tom Tyler, Ethlyne Clair and Barney Furey.Darby p.399 Cast * Tom Tyler as Kirk Stockton * Ethlyne Clair as Madge Wilson * Barney Furey ...

'' (1929) as Jerry Wilson *'' Blaze o'Glory'' (1929) as Jean Williams *''

The Public Enemy ''The Public Enemy'' (''Enemies of the Public'' in the UK) is a 1931 American all-talking pre-Code gangster film produced and distributed by Warner Bros. The film was directed by William A. Wellman and stars James Cagney, Jean Harlow, Edwar ...

'' (1931) as the young Matt Doyle (uncredited) *''

The Vanishing Legion ''The Vanishing Legion'' is a 1931 American pre-Code Western film serial from Mascot, directed by Ford Beebe and B. Reeves Eason. Stars Harry Carey and Edwina Booth were originally intended to be in the studio's previous serial, '' King of th ...

'' (1931, Serial) as Jimmie Williams *''

The Sin of Madelon Claudet ''The Sin of Madelon Claudet'' is a 1931 American pre-Code drama film directed by Edgar Selwyn and starring Helen Hayes. The screenplay by Charles MacArthur and Ben Hecht was adapted from the play ''The Lullaby'' by Edward Knoblock. It tell ...

'' (1931) as Larry Claudet - as a Boy (uncredited) *'' The Lightning Warrior'' (1931, Serial) as Jimmy Carter *''

The Mad Genius ''The Mad Genius'' (1931) is an American pre-Code drama film produced and distributed by Warner Bros. and directed by Michael Curtiz. The film stars John Barrymore, Marian Marsh, Donald Cook, Charles Butterworth, and in small roles, Boris K ...

'' (1931) as the young Fedor Ivanoff *'' Way Back Home'' (1931) as Robbie *'' The Cheyenne Cyclone'' (1931) as 'Orphan' McGuire *'' Amateur Daddy'' (1932) as Pete Smith *''

'' (1932) as Bobby *'' The Devil Horse'' (1932, Serial) as Frankie Graham - The Wild Boy *''

'' (1933) as James 'Jimmy' Smith *'' Laughing at Life'' (1933) as Chango *''

Tugboat Annie ''Tugboat Annie'' is a 1933 American pre-Code film directed by Mervyn LeRoy, written by Norman Reilly Raine and Zelda Sears, and starring Marie Dressler and Wallace Beery as a comically quarrelsome middle-aged couple who operate a tugboat. Dr ...

'' (1933) as Alec, as a Child *''

'' (1933) as Edward 'Eddie' Smith *''

The Wolf Dog ''The Wolf Dog'' is a 1933 American Pre-Code Mascot film serial directed by Colbert Clark and Harry L. Fraser and starring Frankie Darro and Rin Tin Tin, Jr. The plot concerns a young boy becoming the heir to a fortune and a villain attempting t ...

'' (1933, Serial) as Frank Courtney *''

The Big Race ''The Big Race'' is a 1934 American film directed by Fred C. Newmeyer. It was also known as ''Raising the Wind''.RAISING THE WIND (Butcher) Picture Show; London Vol. 31, Iss. 786, (May 26, 1934): 19. Cast *Boots Mallory as Patricia *John Darrow ...

'' (1934) as Knobby *''

No Greater Glory ''No Greater Glory'' is a 1934 American Pre-Code allegorical anti-war film directed by Frank Borzage and based on the novel '' A Pál utcai fiúk'' by Ferenc Molnár, known in English as "The Boys of Paul Street." The film's box office performanc ...

'' (1934) as Feri Ats *''

The Merry Frinks ''The Merry Frinks'' is a 1934 American comedy film directed by Alfred E. Green and starring Aline MacMahon, Guy Kibbee and Hugh Herbert. It is also known by the alternative title of ''Happy Family''. Synopsis A put-upon mother inherits a fortu ...

'' (1934) as Norman Frink *''

Burn 'Em Up Barnes ''Burn 'Em Up Barnes'' is a 1934 American Pre-Code movie serial produced and distributed by Mascot Pictures, along with a feature version of the serial bearing the same title. It was a loose remake of the 1921 silent film of the same name. Cas ...

'' (1934, Serial) as Bobbie Riley *'' Broadway Bill'' (1934) as Ted Williams *''

Little Men ''Little Men,'' or ''Life at Plumfield with Jo's Boys,'' is a children's novel by American author Louisa May Alcott (1832–1888), which was first published in 1871 by Roberts Brothers. The book reprises characters from her 1868–69 two-volume ...

'' (1934) as Dan *'' Red Hot Tires'' (1935) as Johnny *''

'' (1935, Serial) as Frankie Baxter *''

The Unwelcome Stranger ''The Unwelcome Stranger'' is a 1935 American drama film directed by Phil Rosen and starring Jack Holt, Mona Barrie, and Ralph Morgan. It was released on April 20, 1935. Cast list * Jack Holt as Howard Chamberlain * Mona Barrie as Madeleine ...

'' (1935) as Charlie Anderson *'' Stranded'' (1935) as James 'Jimmy' Rivers *''

Men of Action ''Men of Action'' is a 1935 American drama film directed by Alan James from a screenplay by Forrest Sheldon, John W. Krafft, and Barry Barringer based on Peter B. Kyne's story, "The New Freedom." The film stars Frankie Darro, Roy Mason, and Ba ...

'' (1935) as Johnny Morgan *'' Valley of Wanted Men'' (1935) as Slivers Sanderson *''

Three Kids and a Queen ''Three Kids and a Queen'' is a 1935 American drama film directed by Edward Ludwig, written by Samuel Ornitz and Barry Trivers, and starring May Robson, Henry Armetta, Herman Bing, Frankie Darro, Bill Burrud and William "Billy" Benedict. ...

'' (1935) as Blackie *'' The Payoff'' (1935) as Jimmy Moore *'' Black Gold'' (1936) as Clifford 'Fishtail' O'Reilly *'' The Ex-Mrs. Bradford'' (1936) as Spike Salisbury (uncredited) *''

'' (1936) as 'Tip' Collins, Jockey * '' Born to Fight'' (1936) as 'Babyface' Madison *'' Racing Blood'' (1936) as Frankie Reynolds *''

Mind Your Own Business "Mind your own business" is a common English saying which asks for a respect of other people's privacy. It strongly suggests that a person should stop interfering in what does not affect themselves. Contextually, it is often used in an argument or ...

'' (1936) as Bob * ''

Headline Crasher ''Headline Crasher'' is a 1936 American drama film directed by Leslie Goodwins from a screenplay by Sherman L. Lowe and Charles R. Condon. The film stars Frankie Darro, Kane Richmond, and Muriel Evans. Cast * Frankie Darro as Jimmy Tallant * K ...

(1936) as Jimmy Tallant * ''

Robin Hood, Jr. ''Robin Hood, Jr.'' is a 1936 American musical romance film directed by Leslie Goodwins from a screenplay by Harry O. Hoyt. The film stars Frankie Darro, Kane Richmond, and Muriel Evans. Cast list *Frankie Darro *Kane Richmond *Muriel Evans ...

'' (1936) *''

The Devil Diamond ''The Devil Diamond'' is a 1937 American film directed by Leslie Goodwins. The film is also known as ''Peter B. Kyne's The Devil Diamond'' (American complete title). Plot summary A group of thugs tries to steal the cursed title gem from a jewel ...

'' (1937) as Lee aka Kid Harris *''

Tough to Handle ''Tough to Handle'' is a 1937 American film directed by S. Roy Luby. Plot A reporter's grandfather wins a sweepstake, but later discovers that that is ticket was not legal. The police are looking for the con-artists that is responsible for fake ...

'' (1937) as Mike Sanford *'' A Day at the Races'' (1937) as Morgan's jockey (uncredited) *'' Anything for a Thrill'' (1937) as Dan Mallory *'' Saratoga'' (1937) as Dixie Gordon *''

Thoroughbreds Don't Cry ''Thoroughbreds Don't Cry'' is a 1937 American musical comedy film directed by Alfred E. Green and starring Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland in their first film together. Plot Cricket West is a hopeful actress with a pair of vocal cords that bri ...

'' (1937) as 'Dink' Reid * ''

Young Dynamite ''Young Dynamite'' is a 1937 American crime film directed by Leslie Goodwins from a screenplay by Joseph O'Donnell and Stanley Roberts, adaptation by Arthur G. Durlam. The film stars Frankie Darro, Kane Richmond, and Charlotte Henry. Cast lis ...

'' (1937) as Freddie Shields * ''

Reformatory A reformatory or reformatory school is a youth detention center or an adult correctional facility popular during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Western countries. In the United Kingdom and United States, they came out of social concern ...

'' (1938) as Louie Miller *''

The Great Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok ''The Great Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok'' (1938) is a Columbia Pictures movie serial. It was the fourth of the 57 serials released by Columbia and the studio's first Western serial. The serial was the first to be produced by Columbia personn ...

'' (1938, Serial) as Jerry, aka Little Brave Heart *'' Juvenile Court'' (1938) as Stubby *''Wanted by the Police'' (1938) as Danny Murphy *''

Tough Kid ''Tough Kid'' is a 1938 American crime film directed by Howard Bretherton and written by Wellyn Totman. The film stars Frankie Darro, Dick Purcell, Judith Allen, Lillian Elliott, Don Rowan and William Ruhl. The film was released on December 28 ...

'' (1938) as 'Skipper' Murphy *''

Boys' Reformatory ''Boys' Reformatory'' is a 1939 American crime film directed by Howard Bretherton and produced by Lindsley Parsons for Monogram Pictures. The screenplay was written by Wellyn Totman and Ray Trampe after a story by Ray Trampe and Norman S. Hall. ...

'' (1939) as Tommy Ryan *'' Irish Luck'' (1939) (1st film with

) as Buzzy O'Brien *''

Chasing Trouble ''Chasing Trouble'' is a 1940 American comedy-drama film directed by Howard Bretherton, from Monogram Pictures. Plot summary Jimmy "Mr. Cupid" O’Brien (Frankie Darro) and Thomas H. Jefferson (Mantan Moreland) are making deliveries for th ...

'' (1940) (with Mantan Moreland) as Frankie "Cupid" O'Brien *''

'' (1940) as Lampwick (voice, uncredited) *'' On the Spot'' (1940) (with Mantan Moreland) as Frankie Kelly *'' Laughing at Danger'' (1940) (with Mantan Moreland) as Frankie Kelly *'' Up in the Air'' (1940) (with Mantan Moreland) as Frankie Ryan *'' You're Out of Luck'' (1941) (with Mantan Moreland) as Frankie O'Reilly *'' The Gang's All Here'' (1941) (with Mantan Moreland) as Frankie O'Malley *''

Let's Go Collegiate ''Let's Go Collegiate'' is a 1941 American musical comedy film directed by Jean Yarbrough and produced by Monogram Pictures. It was released as ''Farewell to Fame'' in the United Kingdom. Plot summary Frankie (Frankie Darro) is the coxswain o ...

'' (1941) (with Mantan Moreland) as Frankie Monahan *''Tuxedo Junction'' (1941) as Jack 'Sock' Anderson *''

Junior G-Men of the Air ''Junior G-Men of the Air'' is a 1942 Universal film serial starring the Dead End Kids and the Little Tough Guys. A group of youthful flying enthusiasts join the "Junior G-Men" to help break up a planned attack on the United States. Plot During ...

'' (1942, Serial) as Jack (last before joining the

) *'' Take It or Leave It'' (1944) as Radio Listener *''

Junior Prom ''Junior Prom'' is a 1946 American musical comedy, directed by Arthur Dreifuss and produced by Sam Katzman and Maurice Duke. It was released by Monogram Pictures. It is the first of The Teen Agers series of movies. In 2018, the film was release ...

'' (1946) as Roy Donne (first after

and first of the TeenAgers series) *''

Freddie Steps Out ''Freddie Steps Out'' is a 1946 American film starring Freddie Stewart. It is the second in The Teen Agers series. Plot Freddie Trimball is a high school student. He happens to bear an amazing resemblance to Frankie Troy, one of the most popula ...

'' (1946) as Roy Donne *'' Chick Carter, Detective'' (1946, Serial) as Thug (uncredited) *'' High School Hero'' (1946) as Roy Donne *''

Sarge Goes to College ''Sarge Goes to College'' is a 1947 American musical comedy film directed by Will Jason and starring Freddie Stewart, June Preisser and Frankie Darro. It was produced and distributed by Monogram Pictures as part of The Teen Agers series. Plo ...

'' (1947) as Roy Donne *'' That's My Man'' (1947) as Jockey *''

Smart Politics ''Smart Politics'' is a 1948 American film directed by Will Jason and starring Freddie Stewart and June Preisser. It is part of The Teen Agers series made by Monogram Pictures.Munter, Pam (November 4, 2005"Freddie Stewart and the Teen Agers"''Cl ...

'' (1948) as Roy Donne *''

Angels' Alley ''Angels' Alley'' is a 1948 comedy film directed by William Beaudine and starring The Bowery Boys. It is the ninth film in the series and the first one without Bobby Jordan. Plot Slip's cousin Jimmy is released from prison for good behavior and ...

'' (1948) as Jimmy *''

Heart of Virginia ''Heart of Virginia'' is a 1948 American sports drama film directed by R. G. Springsteen and starring Janet Martin, Robert Lowery and Frankie Darro.Martin p.76 Believing that he is responsible for the death of a fellow rider, a jockey develops ...

'' (1948) as Jimmy Easter *''

The Babe Ruth Story ''The Babe Ruth Story'' is a 1948 biographical film of Babe Ruth, the famed New York Yankees slugger. It stars William Bendix (New York Yankee batboy in the 1920s) as the ballplayer and Claire Trevor as his wife Claire Merritt Hodgson. Critic ...

'' (1948) as Newsboy (uncredited) *'' Trouble Makers'' (1948) as Ben Feathers *''

Fighting Fools ''Fighting Fools'' is a 1949 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on April 17, 1949 by Monogram Pictures and is the thirteenth film in the series. Plot The Bowery Boys, led by the notorious Slip Mahoney, are helping out at ...

'' (1949) as Johnny Higgins (last leading role) *''

Hold That Baby! ''Hold That Baby!'' is a 1949 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on June 26, 1949 by Monogram Pictures and is the fourteenth film in the series. Plot The boys are running a laundromat in the back room of Louie's Sweet Sh ...

'' (1949) as Bananas Stewart *''

Sons of New Mexico ''Sons of New Mexico'' is a 1949 American Western film directed by John English and written by Paul Gangelin. The film stars Gene Autry, Gail Davis, Robert Armstrong, Dick Jones, Frankie Darro and Irving Bacon. The film was released on De ...

'' (1949) as Gig Jackson *'' Riding High'' (1950) as Jockey Williams *'' The Next Voice You Hear...'' (1950) as Newsboy (uncredited) *''

A Life of Her Own ''A Life of Her Own'' is a 1950 American melodrama film directed by George Cukor and starring Lana Turner and Ray Milland. The screenplay by Isobel Lennart focuses on an aspiring model who leaves her small town in the Midwest to seek fame and ...

'' (1950) as Bellboy (uncredited) *'' Wyoming Mail'' (1950) as Rufe *''

'' (1951, TV Series) as the Little Old Lady *''

Pride of Maryland ''Pride of Maryland'' is a 1951 American drama film directed by Philip Ford and written by John K. Butler. The film stars Stanley Clements, Peggy Stewart, Frankie Darro, Joe Sawyer, Robert Barrat and Harry Shannon. The film was released on Jan ...

'' (1951) as Steve Loomis *'' Across the Wide Missouri'' (1951) as Cadet (uncredited) *''

Westward the Women ''Westward the Women'' is a 1951 Western film directed by William A. Wellman and starring Robert Taylor, Denise Darcel and John McIntire. Plot In 1851, Roy Whitman wants to keep the lonely men who live in Whitman's Valley from leaving, so he ...

'' (1951) as Jean's Awaiting Groom (uncredited) *'' The Sellout'' (1952) as Little Jake (uncredited) *''

Pat and Mike ''Pat and Mike'' is a 1952 American romantic comedy film starring Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. The movie was written by Ruth Gordon and Garson Kanin, and directed by George Cukor. Cukor directed '' The Philadelphia Story'' (1940) with H ...

'' (1952) as Caddy (uncredited) *''

Siren of Bagdad ''Siren of Bagdad'' is a 1953 Technicolor fantasy adventure film produced by Sam Katzman and directed by Richard Quine set in the medieval Persian Empire. It stars Paul Henreid as a travelling Master magician who seeks to recover his troop of be ...

'' (1953) as Man in Camp after Raid (uncredited) *'' Racing Blood'' (1954) as Ben, a Jockey *''

The Lawless Rider ''The Lawless Rider'' is a 1954 American black-and-white western film directed by Yakima Canutt and starring Johnny Carpenter, Frankie Darro and Noel Neill, and marketed by United Artists. Ed Wood helped co-write the screenplay, which was origin ...

'' (1954) as Jim Bascom *''

Living It Up ''Living It Up'' is a 1954 American comedy film starring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis which was released by Paramount Pictures. The film was directed by Norman Taurog and produced by Paul Jones. The screenplay by Jack Rose and Melville Shavels ...

'' (1954) as Bellboy Captain (uncredited) *''

'' (1956) as

(uncredited) *''

The Ten Commandments The Ten Commandments ( Biblical Hebrew עשרת הדברים \ עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדְּבָרִים, ''aséret ha-dvarím'', lit. The Decalogue, The Ten Words, cf. Mishnaic Hebrew עשרת הדיברות \ עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדִּבְ ...

'' (1956) as Slave (uncredited) *'' The Perfect Furlough'' (1958) as Soldier in Hospital in Cast (uncredited) *''

Operation Petticoat ''Operation Petticoat'' is a 1959 American World War II submarine comedy film in Eastmancolor from Universal-International, produced by Robert Arthur, directed by Blake Edwards, that stars Cary Grant and Tony Curtis. The film tells in fla ...

'' (1959) as Pharmacists Mate 3rd Class Dooley, USN *''

'' (1960, TV Series) as News Vendor *''

The Carpetbaggers ''The Carpetbaggers'' is a 1961 bestselling novel by Harold Robbins, which was adapted into a 1964 film of the same title. The prequel '' Nevada Smith'' (1966) was also based on a character in the novel. In the United States, the term "car ...

'' (1964) as Bellhop (uncredited) *''

The Disorderly Orderly ''The Disorderly Orderly'' is a 1964 American comedy film released by Paramount Pictures, and starring Jerry Lewis. The film was produced by Paul Jones with a screenplay by director Frank Tashlin, based on a story by Norm Liebermann and Ed Haas ...

'' (1964) as Board Member (uncredited) *'' Batman'' (1966, TV Series) as Newsman *''Fugitive Lovers'' (1975) as Lester, the town drunk (final film role)

References

External links

*
Frankie Darro
- Biography on (re)Search my Trash
Frankie Darro Homepage

in ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid d ...

''
Tough Kid: The Life and Films of Frankie Darro

The Files of Jerry Blake
{{DEFAULTSORT:Darro, Frankie 1917 births 1976 deaths American male film actors American male silent film actors American male voice actors American male child actors Male film serial actors Male actors from Chicago Military personnel from Illinois 20th-century American male actors Burials at sea United States Navy personnel of World War II