Franklin Parker Explained

Franklin Parker
Birth Date:	8 November 1902
Birth Place:	Fillmore, Missouri, United States
Death Place:	Hollywood, California, United States
Occupation:	Actor
Yearsactive:	1931–1955

Franklin Parker (November 8, 1902 – June 12, 1962), also known as Frank Parker or Franklyn Parker, was an American character actor who appeared in over 100 films during his twenty-five year career. Born in Fillmore, Missouri on November 8, 1902,^[1] he began his show business career on the vaudeville and Broadway stages, where he proved himself an admirable singer. During those years he would often be billed as Pinky.^[2] His final screen performance was on television, on The Donna Reed Show in 1961, where he was credited as Franklin Pinky Parker.^[3] His film career included appearances in such classic films as They Were Expendable, It's a Wonderful Life, Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House, Mighty Joe Young, and Pat and Mike.^[4] Occasionally he would have a larger role, such as the lead in the 1935 film, Sweet Surrender.^[5] He died of a heart attack in Hollywood, California on June 12, 1962.

Filmography

(Per AFI database)

• Millie (1931) as Spring
• Two Seconds (1932) as Reporter
• Behind Jury Doors (1932) as Casey
• Honor of the Press (1932) as Sorrell Simpson
• The All American (1932) - Radio announcer
• Frisco Jenny (1933) as Martel
• Blood Money (1933) as man in district attorney's office
• Hell and High Water (1933) (uncredited)
• The Past of Mary Holmes (1933) as Brooks
• He Couldn't Take It (1933) as Radio announcer
• Her Resale Value (1933) as Truex
• Picture Brides (1933) as Bill
• Operator 13 (1934) as John Hay
• When Strangers Meet (1934) as Ed. Mason
• Transatlantic Merry-Go-Round (1934) as Frank
• Woman Unafraid (1934) as Henchman Randall
• No More Women (1934) as Reporter
• Chained (1934) as Third mate
• I'll Tell the World (1934) as News editor
• Romance in the Rain (1934) as Master of ceremonies
• Let 'Em Have It (1935) as Mike
• The Woman in Red (1935) as Reporter
• It Happened in New York (1935) as Reporter
• Sweet Surrender (1935) as Danny O'Day
• Straight from the Heart (1935) as Reporter
• Manhattan Moon (1935)
• The Return of Jimmy Valentine (1936) as Grogan
• Fury (1936) as Cameraman
• The Preview Murder Mystery (1936) as Cutter
• I'd Give My Life (1936) (uncredited)
• Small Town Girl (1936) as Reporter
• F-Man (1936) as Craig
• Career Woman (1936) as Reporter—Clarkdale
• Hollywood Boulevard (1936) as Workman—Brown Derby
• Anything Goes (1936) as Reporter
• Born to Dance (1936) as Reporter
• Crash Donovan (1936) as Peanut vendor
• The Gorgeous Hussy (1936) as Leader of mob
• All American Chump (1936) as Photographer
• Charlie Chan on Broadway (1937) as Reporter
• Wells Fargo (1937) as Reporter
• Angel's Holiday (1937) as Reporter
• Night Club Scandal (1937) as Reporter
• I Cover the War (1937) as Parker
• Borrowing Trouble (1937) as Harris
• True Confession (1937) as Reporter
• Time Out for Romance (1937) as Reporter
• Mr. Moto's Gamble (1938) as Reporter
• Joy of Living (1938) as Producer
• Too Hot to Handle (1938) as Attendant
• Walking Down Broadway (1938) as Photographer
• Give Me a Sailor (1938) as Reporter
• The Higgins Family (1938) as Reynard
• Trade Winds (1938) as Detective Squad member
• Sinners in Paradise (1938) as Operator
• Men with Wings (1938) as Mail truck driver
• Cipher Bureau (1938) as Announcer
• Young Dr. Kildare (1938) as Reporter
• Eternally Yours (1939) as Croupier
• Unmarried (1939) as Announcer
• Invitation to Happiness (1939) as Reporter
• The Man They Could Not Hang (1939) as Second reporter
• The Spirit of Culver (1939) as Railroad ticket agent
• Little Accident (1939) as Cameraman
• Queen of the Mob (1940) as Filling station attendant
• The Man Who Wouldn't Talk (1940) as Reporter
• Harmon of Michigan (1941) as Bates
• Lucky Legs (1942) as Real estate salesman
• Corvette K-225 (1943) as Captain
• The Good Fellows (1943) as Davis
• Salute for Three (1943) as Radio official
• The Impostor (1944) as Cashier
• Follow the Boys (1944) as man in office
• Ladies Courageous (1944) as Steward
• Slightly Terrific (1944) as Marty
• Three of a Kind (1944) as McGinty
• Wilson (1944) as Reporter
• Captain Eddie (1945) as Shelby
• The Dolly Sisters (1945) as Reporter
• I'll Tell the World (1945) as Character
• See My Lawyer (1945) as Bailiff
• Sunset in El Dorado (1945) as Conductor
• They Were Expendable (1945) as Navy officer
• The Blue Dahlia (1946) as Police stenographer
• The Man Who Dared (1946) as Andy White
• It's a Wonderful Life (1946) as Reporter (uncredited)
• Blaze of Noon (1947) as Jenkins
• Living in a Big Way (1947) as Reporter
• Suddenly, It's Spring (1947) as Reporter
• The Senator Was Indiscreet (1948) as Reporter
• Good Sam (1948) as Photographer
• Mickey (1948) as Cathy's father
• Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948) as Simpson
• On an Island with You (1948) as Lieutenant technical advisor
• Abandoned (1949) as Plainclothesman
• That Wonderful Urge (1949) as Reporter
• Mighty Joe Young (1949) as Photographer
• Tell It to the Judge (1949) as Outgoing reporter
• The Undercover Man (1949) as Minor Role (uncredited)
• Yes Sir, That's My Baby (1949) as State coach
• The Jackpot (1950) as Poker player
• Tales of the West 1 (1950) as Pete Green
• Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951) as Photographer
• Ace in the Hole (1951) as Reporter
• All That I Have (1951) as Joe, Rewrite Man
• Close to My Heart (1951) as Clerk
• Come Fill the Cup (1951) as Bald man
• Lightning Strikes Twice (1951) as Guard
• Flesh and Fury (1952) as Inspector
• The Narrow Margin (1952) as Telegraph attendant
• Pat and Mike (1952)
• Bugles in the Afternoon (1952) as Minor Role (uncredited)
• The Mississippi Gambler (1953) as Bartender
• Paris Follies of 1956 (1955) as himself

Notes and References

1. Web site: Franklin Parker . Find a Grave . October 16, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141017014653/https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/24242867 . October 17, 2014.
2. Web site: Franklin Parker Biography . Allmovie.com . Erickson . Hal . October 16, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141017015258/http://www.allmovie.com/artist/franklin-parker-p55091 . October 17, 2014.
3. Web site: The Merry Month of April . tv.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20141017020641/http://www.tv.com/shows/the-donna-reed-show/the-merry-month-of-april-22664/ . October 17, 2014.
4. Web site: Franklin Parker . American Film Institute . October 16, 2014.
5. Web site: Sweet Surrender: Detail View . American Film Institute . October 16, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140330001024/http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=7834 . March 30, 2014.