Frankie Darro

Born: 1917-12-22

Born into a show-business family - his parents were circus aerialists - Frankie Darro appeared in his first film at age six. Due to his small size and youthful appearance, he played teenagers well into his 20s. Always a physical performer, Darro often did his own stunts, many times out of necessity - his small stature made it difficult to find stunt doubles his size. He was an accomplished horseman and, in addition to westerns, made several films where he played jockeys. In 1933 he played the lead as a troubled teen in a major film for Warner Brothers, "Wild Boys Of The Road." It is a pre-code film with a realistic look at "The Great Depression," from the point of view of the youth of the time. This film seems to have been rediscovered only recently and has received critical acclaim.That same year, he played a troubled youth in the James Cagney classic, "The Mayor Of Hell". Later in 1935, he had a key role in the cult serial classic "The Phantom Empire"(1935). As Darro got older, however, he found it increasingly difficult to secure employment, and by the late 1940s was doing uncredited stunt work and bit parts. He had a recurring role on The Red Skelton Hour (1951), unrecognized by his fans, he played "Robby The Robot" in the groundbreaking sci-fi film "The Forbidden Planet" (1956), though Marvin Miller, best remembered as Michael Anthony of TVs "Millionaire"(1955-60), was the robot's voice. After that Frankie appeared sporadically in films and on TV .


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Pinocchio

as Lampwick (voice) (uncredited)
Released: 1940-02-23

When loving Geppetto creates a wooden puppet, his wish is granted when it comes to life as a...

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The Mad Genius

as Fedor as a Boy
Released: 1931-09-30

A crippled puppeteer rescues an abused young boy and turns the boy into a great ballet dancer....

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Forbidden Planet

as Robby the Robot (interior) (uncredited)
Released: 1956-03-23

Starship C57D travels to planet Altair 4 in search of the crew of spaceship "Bellerophon," a...

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Flesh and the Devil

as Boy who dances with Hertha (uncredited)
Released: 1926-12-25

When lifelong best friends Leo and Ulrich return home after completing their military training,...

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The Public Enemy

as Matt as a Boy (uncredited)
Released: 1931-04-23

Two young Chicago hoodlums, Tom Powers and Matt Doyle, rise up from their poverty-stricken slum...

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Operation Petticoat

as Pharmacist's Mate 3rd Class Dooley
Released: 1959-12-05

A World War II submarine commander finds himself stuck with a damaged sub, a con-man executive...

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Westward the Women

as Jean's Awaiting Groom (uncredited)
Released: 1951-12-16

There's a deficit of good, honest women in the West, and Roy Whitman wants to change that. His...

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Pat and Mike

as Caddy (uncredited)
Released: 1952-06-13

Pat Pemberton is a brilliant athlete, except when her domineering fiancé is around. The ladies...

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The Mayor of Hell

as James 'Jimmie' Smith
Released: 1933-06-24

Members of a teenage gang are sent to the State Reformatory, presided over by the callous...

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Three on a Match

as Bobby (uncredited)
Released: 1932-10-29

Although Vivian Revere is seemingly the most successful of a trio of reunited schoolmates, she...

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Riding High

as Jockey Williams
Released: 1950-04-12

A horse trainer who has fallen on hard times looks to his horse, Broadway Bill, to finally win...

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Wild Boys of the Road

as Eddie Smith
Released: 1933-10-07

At the height of the Great Depression, Tommy's mother has been out of work for months when...

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Across the Wide Missouri

as Cadet (uncredited)
Released: 1951-10-12

In the 1830's beaver trapper Flint Mitchell and other white men hunt and trap in the then...

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The Sin of Madelon Claudet

as Larry Claudet - as a Boy (uncredited)
Released: 1931-10-23

Out of jail for a crime she did not commit, Madelon turns to prostitution and thievery to send...

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Hook, Line and Sinker

as Delivery Man (uncredited)
Released: 1969-06-06

Told he is terminally ill, an insurance executive goes on a credit-card spending spree--and then...

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The Movie Orgy

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 1968-01-01

Clips from assorted television programs, B-movies, commercials, music performances, newsreels,...

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Take It or Leave It

as Radio Listener
Released: 1944-07-17

A young husband becomes a game-show participant in the hopes of winning the cash to pay his...

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Stranded

as James 'Jimmy' Rivers
Released: 1935-06-29

A Traveler's Aid worker who delights in solving people's problems gets mixed up with gangsters.

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The Ex-Mrs. Bradford

as Spike Salisbury (uncredited)
Released: 1936-04-24

A doctor is driven into an investigation of sinister goings-on at a horse race track by his...

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Hollywood on Parade No. B-1

as uncredited
Released: 1934-03-02

Short film in which Frankie Darro as a Telegram delivery boy visits various Hollywood locations...

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Thoroughbreds Don't Cry

as "Dink" Reid
Released: 1937-11-25

Cricket West is a hopeful actress with a plan and a pair of vocal chords that bring down the...

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Broadway Bill

as Ted Williams
Released: 1934-11-30

Tycoon J.L. Higgins controls his whole family, but one of his sons- in-law, Dan Brooks and his...

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Hollywood on Parade

as Self
Released: 1932-06-05

A short featuring many stars

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Kiki

as Pierre
Released: 1926-04-04

Kiki, a poor young woman who sells newspapers on the street corners of Paris, is able to land a...

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Saratoga

as Dixie Gordon
Released: 1937-07-23

A horse breeder's granddaughter falls in love with a gambler in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

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No Greater Glory

as Feri Ats
Released: 1934-03-30

A frail boy fights to win acceptance from the leader of a street gang.

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Men with Steel Faces

as Frankie Baxter
Released: 1940-05-02

Re-edited feature version of serial The Phantom Empire (1935). Singer Gene Autry discovers a...

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3 Kids and a Queen

as Blackie
Released: 1935-10-21

An eccentric, wealthy spinster, 'Queenie' Baxter is erroneously presumed to be kidnapped. She...

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High School Hero

as Roy Donne
Released: 1946-09-06

The students at Whitney High School are down in the dumps since their football team faces almost...

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Tugboat Annie

as Alec, as a Child
Released: 1933-08-04

Waterfront couple raise their son to be a sea captain. He grows up to be rather snotty and...

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Wyoming Mail

as Rufe
Released: 1950-10-18

In 1869, the United States begins a railroad mail service to the West Coast which proves highly...

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Hold That Baby!

as Bananas Stewart
Released: 1949-06-06

While working in a laundromat, the boys find a baby hidden among the linen. They soon find out...

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Irish Luck

as Buzzy O'Brien
Released: 1939-08-22

A spunky young bellhop investigates the murder of a hotel guest.

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Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 1975-08-06

Period music, film clips and newsreel footage combined into a visual exploration of the American...

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The Signal Tower

as Sonny Tolliver
Released: 1924-07-19

A railroad worker accepts a colleague's offer to stay in his home, but when his friend is called...

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Trouble Makers

as Ben Feathers
Released: 1948-12-10

Slip and Sach are in the sidewalk star-gazing business when they see a murder committed in a...

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Junior G-Men of the Air

as Jack
Released: 1942-06-30

A group of street kids battle a terrorist gang led by a Japanese spy.

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Boys' Reformatory

as Tommy Ryan
Released: 1939-05-01

A tough street kid takes the rap for a burglary committed by the son of his foster family and is...

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That's My Man

as Jockey
Released: 1947-06-01

A poor young man is finally able to achieve his dream of running a horse at the track, but when...

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The Payoff

as Jimmy Moore
Released: 1935-01-09

An honest sports columnist's greedy wife persuades him to go easy on a cheat, famous for crooked...

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Laughing at Life

as Chango
Released: 1933-07-12

Easter, a soldier of fortune and gunrunner, leaves his family behind escaping from the...

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Racing Blood

as Frankie Reynolds
Released: 1936-11-14

Frankie Reynolds (Frankie Darro' ), youngest member of a family of jockeys, borrows $4.85 (yes,...

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Texas Tornado

as Buddy Martin
Released: 1928-06-24

Briscoe leases land from Latimer. When oil is found Latimer tries to stop Briscoe from renewing...

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The Phantom Empire

as Frankie Baxter
Released: 1935-02-22

When the ancient continent of Mu sank beneath the ocean, some of its inhabitant survived in...

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Reformatory

as Louie Miller
Released: 1938-06-20

A new inmate at a juvenile reformatory tries to organize a mass breakout.

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The Great Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok

as Jerry
Released: 1938-06-30

A group of "Phantom Raiders" interfere with a cattle drive from Texas to Abilene; fortunately,...

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Tuxedo Junction

as Jack 'Sock' Anderson
Released: 1941-11-25

The Weaver Brothers and Elviry have migrated from their usual hard-scrabble digs in the Ozarks...

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The Wolf Dog

as Frank Courtney
Released: 1933-09-29

The story of a boy, a dog, and a man. The boy discovers he is heir to a shipping line, and ...

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The Devil Diamond

as Lee
Released: 1937-01-15

A group of thugs tries to steal the cursed title gem from a jeweler who has been hired to cut it...

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Sarge Goes to College

as Roy Donne
Released: 1947-05-13

A Marine Sergeant, wounded in overseas service, requires an operation, and the Navy psychiatrist...

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Way Back Home

as Robbie
Released: 1931-11-13

A rural Maine farmer fights for custody of the boy who he's raised as his own.

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Charlie Chan at the Race Track

as 'Tip' Collins, Jockey
Released: 1936-08-07

When a friend of Charlie's is found kicked to death by his own race horse on board a...

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Juvenile Court

as Stubby
Released: 1938-09-10

Public Defender Gary Franklin, frustrated by being unable to save criminal Dutch Adams from a...

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Fighting Fools

as Johnny Higgins
Released: 1949-03-17

The boys are working at the local boxing arena where their friend, Jimmy Higgins, is boxing....

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Smart Politics

as Roy Donne
Released: 1948-01-03

The growth of juvenile crime in a small town starts a movement for the building of a youth center.

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The Devil Horse

as Frankie Graham - The Wild Boy
Released: 1932-11-01

Bob Norton, seeking his brother's killer, tangles with outlaws, wild horses, and a "wild" boy.

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The Merry Frinks

as Norman Frink
Released: 1934-05-26

An heiress abandons an out-of-work husband, two sons and a lovesick daughter.

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Memory Lane

as Urchin
Released: 1926-02-01

Mary is marrying Jimmie, from whom she has kept a secret; Mary remains in love with another man....

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The Gang's All Here

as Frankie O'Malley
Released: 1941-06-11

Two friends take jobs as truck drivers, unaware that the trucking company is being targeted by a...

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On the Spot

as Frankie 'Doc' Kelly
Released: 1940-06-11

Frankie Kelly is the soda jerk and embryo scientist in Midvales only drugstore. Two murders and...

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Mind Your Own Business

as Bob
Released: 1936-12-18

Nature reporter Orville Shanks retreats to the woods for material for his "Our Wild Friends"...

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Burn 'Em Up Barnes

as Bobbie Riley
Released: 1934-06-15

Marjorie Temple, owner of a bus line and an apparently worthless plot of land, is set upon by...

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Up in the Air

as Frankie Ryan
Released: 1940-09-09

A none-too-popular (nor good) radio singer, Rita Wilson is murdered while singing on the air in...

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Angels' Alley

as Cousin Jimmy
Released: 1948-03-07

Slip invites his cousin Jimmy to stay with his family after he is released from prison. However,...

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Let's Go Collegiate

as Frankie Monahan
Released: 1941-09-12

Rawley University is about to receive a star athlete who could give it the first championship...

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The Wyoming Wildcat

as Barnie Finn
Released: 1925-01-11

Cowboy Phil Stone gets a job as foreman on a ranch owned by pretty young Isabel Hastings. He...

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So Big

as Dirk DeJong (child)
Released: 1924-12-28

After graduating from a fashionable finishing school and touring Europe with her father, Selina...

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Headline Crasher

as James 'Jimmy' Forbush Tallant, Jr.
Released: 1937-08-04

The popular B-flick team of Frankie Darro and Kane Richmond star in the slick quickie Headline...

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Chasing Trouble

as Jimmy O'Brien
Released: 1940-01-30

A delivery boy for a flower shop, who thinks of himself as an amateur detective, finds out that...

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Sunkist Stars at Palm Springs

as Himself
Released: 1936-08-05

Winners of the Lucky Stars National Dance Contest - one woman from each state of the United...

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Valley of Wanted Men

as Slivers Sanderson
Released: 1935-10-19

Three men escape from prison, go back to their hometown to try to find out who framed them.

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The Girl on the Late, Late Show

as Studio Guard
Released: 1974-04-01

A television producer decides to find out the whereabouts of a former movie actress whose career...

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Amateur Daddy

as Pete Smith
Released: 1932-04-10

Jim Gladden, a construction site foreman, is partially responsible for the accidental death of...

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Men of Action

as Johnny Morgan
Released: 1935-07-13

A villainous banker and his hired saboteurs attempt to thwart construction of Sweetwater Dam.

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Racing for Life

as Jimmy Danton
Released: 1924-08-08

Jack Grant agrees to drive in the big race in order to save his brother Carl from being charged...

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You're Out of Luck

as Frankie O'Reilly
Released: 1941-01-20

An elevator operator and a janitor team up to solve two murders that may be connected to an...

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Anything for a Thrill

as Dan Mallory
Released: 1937-06-15

Despite his older brother's objections, a young man vows to become a newsreel cameraman.

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Little Men

as Dan
Released: 1934-01-01

The former Jo March and her husband Professor Bhaer operate the Plumfield School for homeless...

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Freddie Steps Out

as Roy Donne
Released: 1946-06-29

A high school student is mistaken for a famous radio singer who goes missing.

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Vacation Days

as Roy Donne
Released: 1947-01-25

Miss Hinklefink invites the Teen Agers to stay at her new ranch for the summer. Freddie is...

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Tough Kid

as 'Skipper' Murphy
Released: 1938-12-28

Skipper Murphy is serving as trainer and inspiration for his brother Red Murphy training for a...

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Black Gold

as Clifford 'Fishtail' O'Reilly
Released: 1936-01-19

Wildcat riggers risk their lives in the pursuit of oil. Their jobs get even more dangerous when...

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Sons of New Mexico

as Gig Jackson
Released: 1949-12-20

Not quite as memorable as his previous Riders in the Sky, Gene Autry's Sons of New Mexico is...

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Junior Prom

as Roy Donne
Released: 1946-07-28

During the Whitney High School student government election, a rich man’s son tries to pay his...

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Unwelcome Stranger

as Charlie Anderson
Released: 1935-04-05

Horse-breeder Howard Chamberlain has many superstitious quirks but his primary one is that he...

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Two Gun Marshal

as Clint Slocum
Released: 1953-11-15

Two episodes of the TV series "Wild Bill Hickok" edited together and released as a feature film.

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Judgment of the Storm

as Heath Twin
Released: 1924-01-06

famed for being written by an amateur

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Little Mickey Grogan

as Mickey Grogan
Released: 1927-12-27

The main plot concerns an architect who, when he begins losing his eyesight, worries that he is...

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Hearts and Spangles

as Bobby
Released: 1926-06-15

Steve Carris, a medical student, is expelled from college, disowned by his father and joins a...

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The Lightning Warrior

as Jimmy Carter
Released: 1931-11-01

A Rin-Tin-Tin serial presented in 12 episodes. The mysterious Wolf Man is terrorizing settlers...

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Heart of Virginia

as Jimmy Easter
Released: 1948-04-25

Jimmy Easter is a jockey who gets shook up when he is responsible for the death of a fellow...

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Hollywood on Parade No. A-3

as Self (uncredited)
Released: 1932-10-20

Eddie Kane wanders round the studio back-lot, opening various doors to see which stars pop out.

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Fugitive Lovers

as Lester the Drunk
Released: 1975-11-27

A swimming pool cleaner and a suicidal housewife set out on the run and are pursued by her...

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Tough to Handle

as Mike Sanford
Released: 1937-05-24

A young reporter's grandfather wins a sweepstakes, but it turns out that his ticket is phony....

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Red Hot Tires

as Johnny
Released: 1935-02-02

An escaped convict redeems himself by becoming an auto racing champion.

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Laughing at Danger

as Frankie Kelly
Released: 1940-08-12

Frankie Kelly, pageboy at the beauty salon ran by Madam Celeste, and his helper Jefferson find...

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Rainbow Man

as Billy Ryan
Released: 1929-05-16

The Rainbow Man is a 1929 black and white American musical film.

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The Midnight Flyer

as Young Davey
Released: 1925-12-06

The speed of lightning; the roar of thunder; the thrills of an earthquake; it's "The midnight...

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The Big Race

as Knobby
Released: 1934-02-14

Bob Hamilton gets into trouble when crooks cause the defeat of his father's horse in the Derby,...

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The Vanishing Legion

as Jimmie Williams
Released: 1931-06-01

A mysterious master criminal known as The Voice plots with his gang to sabotage the Milesburg...

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The Lawless Rider

as Jim Bascom
Released: 1954-07-01

Johnny Carpenter plays a taciturn sheriff who disguises himself as a notorious gunslinger. His...

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The Circus Kid

as Buddy
Released: 1928-10-07

In 'The Circus Kid', Buddy, an orphan who runs away from a a harsh orphanage, joins...

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Wanted by the Police

as Danny Murphy
Released: 1938-09-21

A young man, Danny, decides to get a job in order to support his mother. He's hired to work in a...

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Pride of Maryland

as Steve Loomis
Released: 1951-01-20

Frankie, a young jockey with a new style of riding that brings him acclaim, is barred from the...

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The Cowboy Musketeer

as Billy Gordon
Released: 1925-12-13

A cowboy saves his female employer from a villainous foreman.

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Roaring Rails

as Little Bill
Released: 1924-09-20

A railroad engineer adopts a French orphan while he's fighting in the army in World War I, and...

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Born to Battle

as Birdie
Released: 1926-01-24

Dennis Terhune, ranch foreman for John Morgan, an eastern capitalist, discovers that there is...

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The Phantom of the Range

as Spuds O'Brien
Released: 1928-04-21

Duke Carlton, an actor stranded in a small western town, gets a job as a cowboy on Tim O'Brien's...

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Blaze o' Glory

as Jean Williams
Released: 1929-12-30

On trial for the murder of Carl Hummel, Eddie Williams tells his story, which begins just before...

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Tom's Gang

as Spuds
Released: 1927-07-10

Dave Collins is a young man who is bequeathed a ranch on the condition that he marry the late...

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Born to Fight

as 'Babyface' Madison
Released: 1936-11-02

An honest boxer refuses to throw a fight for a gambler. They get into a fight and the boxer...

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Young Dynamite

as Freddie Shields
Released: 1937-12-15

A young, newly-appointed rookie state trooper, John Shields, is celebrating with his sister...

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Confessions of a Queen

as Prince Zara
Released: 1925-03-30

The King of Illyris marries a neighboring princess, who finds out he has a mistress, Sephora....

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Judgement Of The Hills

as Tad Dennison
Released: 1927-08-01

Spanish Film released in the USA on August 1, 1927

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The Cowboy Cop

as Frankie
Released: 1926-07-10

A cowboy joins the Low Angeles mounted police unit.

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Moulders of Men

as Sandy Barry
Released: 1927-02-27

In order to raise money for surgery for his crippled brother, Jim Barry accepts a job with...

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Have Gun, Will Travel

as uncredited
First aired: 1957-09-14

Have Gun – Will Travel is an American Western television series that aired on CBS from 1957...

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Perry Mason

as Elevator Operator
First aired: 1957-09-21

The cases of master criminal defense attorney Perry Mason and his staff who handled the most...

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Perry Mason

as Messenger
First aired: 1957-09-21

The cases of master criminal defense attorney Perry Mason and his staff who handled the most...

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Batman

as Newsman
First aired: 1966-01-12

Wealthy entrepreneur Bruce Wayne and his ward Dick Grayson lead a double life: they are actually...

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The Addams Family

as Delivery Boy
First aired: 1964-09-18

A satirical inversion of the ideal of the perfect American nuclear family, they are an eccentric...

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The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok

as uncredited
First aired: 1951-04-15

The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok is an American Western television series which ran for eight...

TV Show page

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

as Little Dandy Dorf
First aired: 1955-10-02

A television anthology series hosted by Alfred Hitchcock featuring dramas, thrillers, and mysteries.

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Alfred Hitchcock Presents

as Boots
First aired: 1955-10-02

A television anthology series hosted by Alfred Hitchcock featuring dramas, thrillers, and mysteries.

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Going My Way

as uncredited
First aired: 1962-10-03

Going My Way is an American comedy-drama series

TV Show page

Mister Ed

as uncredited
First aired: 1961-01-05

Wilbur Post and his wife Carol move into a beautiful new home. When Wilbur takes a look in his...

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Peter Gunn

as uncredited
First aired: 1958-09-22

Peter Gunn is an American private eye television series. Filmed in a film noir atmosphere and...

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Bat Masterson

as Edward 'Snapper' Garrison
First aired: 1958-10-08

Bat Masterson is an American Western television series which showed a fictionalized account of...

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Checkmate

as Sonny
First aired: 1960-09-17

Checkmate is an American detective television series starring Anthony George, Sebastian Cabot,...

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Public Defender

as uncredited
First aired: 1954-03-11

The Public Defender is a half-hour 69-episode television dramatic series starring Reed Hadley as...

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Mr. Lucky

as uncredited
First aired: 1959-10-24

Mr. Lucky is a CBS adventure/drama television series that aired from October 24, 1959, to June...

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