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Frank Cady

Frank Cady

Actor · Died June 8, 2012, aged 96 · Susanville, California, USA

Frank Cady (September 8, 1915 – June 8, 2012) was an American actor. His most famous role was general-store owner Sam Drucker, one of the less-nutty residents of Hooterville in both Green Acres (1965) and Petticoat Junction (1963). He had a history as a film, stage, and television actor long before those shows, and also appeared on some radio programs including Gunsmoke. In the 1950s, Cady played Doc Williams in The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (1952), along with numerous supporting parts in movies and also appeared in television commercials for (among other products) Shasta Grape Soda. Cady has been most prolific in television and was the only actor to play a recurring character on three TV sitcoms at the same time, The Beverly Hillbillies (1962), Green Acres (1965), and Petticoat Junction (1963). Usually cast as a gregarious small-town businessman, druggist, store clerk or other type of all-around Midwestern-type good guy, Cady was actually a California native, born in Susanville in 1915. The acting bug bit him when he sang in an elementary school play, and after graduating from Stanford University he headed to London, England, to train in the theater. When World War II broke out he was already in Europe, so he enlisted in the Army Air Force and spent the next several years in postings all over the continent. After his discharge he returned to the US and headed for Hollywood. An agent saw him in a local play, signed him, and he was on his way. One of his earlier--and more atypical--roles was as a seedy underworld character pulled in for questioning in a cop's murder in the noir classic He Walked by Night (1948), and he played a succession of hotel clerks, bureaucrats, henpecked husbands and the like for the next 40+ years. He did much television work from the mid-'50s onward. Cady resided in Wilsonville, Oregon and at the time of his death had two children, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
September 8, 1915
Died
June 8, 2012 (aged 96)
From
Susanville, California, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
51 on MovieCove · 91 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Down 40% in 30 days

What are Frank Cady's films like?

Across their 18 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 32nd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 87th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 55th percentile
: browse their Action movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
29%
Self
25%
Morality
16%
Society
13%
Power
7%
Ideas
6%
Survival
5%
Family bonds8 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth3 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 16 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 8 · Serious 1 · Dark 7

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 13 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 8 · Charged 4 · Intense 4

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 13 · Shifting 3 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 9 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 5

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 8 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 10 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 2

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 14 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 0

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
8
Joyful
8
Warm
6
Hopeful
5
Melancholic
4
Other
16

How their films linger

Feel-good10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy10
  • Bittersweet5
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Frank Cady's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 25 of their 51 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (16).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Frank Cady's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

91 credits, 51 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Return to Green Acres(1990)

    as Sam Drucker

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • AfterMASH (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 1 episode · as Gus Bell

  • Soup and Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Mr. Sutter

  • ABC Weekend Specials (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 4 episodes · Actor

  • Monster Squad(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as The Farmer

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows

  • Hearts of the West(1975)

    as Pa Tater

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • These Are the Days (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 16 episodes · Actor

  • Zandy's Bride(1974)

    as Pa Allan

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • The Boy and the Bronc Buster (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Clothing Store Proprietor

  • The Million Dollar Duck(1971)

    as Assayer

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Hawaii Five-O(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Bergstrom

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Green Acres(1965)

    Show 130 episodes · as Sam Drucker

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • 7 Faces of Dr. Lao(1964)

    as Mayor James Sargent

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • The Great Adventure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Drover

  • Glynis (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Petticoat Junction(1963)

    Show 222 episodes · as Sam Drucker

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • Grindl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Beverly Hillbillies(1962)

    Show 10 episodes · as Sam Drucker

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • The Virginian (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Hardy

  • Hazel(1961)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Klondike (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Andy Griffith Show(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Farley Upchurch · as Luke

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Guestward, Ho! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Pete and Gladys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Untouchables (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Larry Croft

  • Hawaiian Eye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Dennis the Menace(1959)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • The Alaskans (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Man Who Understood Women(1959)

    as John Milstead

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • The Deputy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Harry Rickert

  • Rawhide (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Storekeeper

  • Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Girl Most Likely (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Pop

  • The Missouri Traveler(1958)

    as Willie Poole

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • The Tin Star(1957)

    as Abe Pickett (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Trackdown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Bob-Tail

  • The Real McCoys(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Ed Oliver

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Maverick(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Hamelin

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Perry Mason(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Joe Widlock / Hiram Widlock

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Wagon Train(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Hiram

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Sugarfoot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Jay Hollis

  • Three Violent People(1956)

    as Doctor

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • The Bad Seed(1956)

    as Henry Daigle

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • The Indian Fighter(1955)

    as Trader Joe

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Trial(1955)

    as Canford (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Cheyenne(1955)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Gunsmoke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Webb

  • The Jane Wyman Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • December Bride (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Rear Window(1954)

    as Man on Fire Escape

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • The Danny Thomas Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Show 1 episode · as Will Hoople - Town Drunk

  • Marry Me Again (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Dr. Day

  • Half a Hero(1953)

    as Mr. Watts

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • General Electric Theater (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Show 1 episode · as George Hanson

  • Private Secretary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • You Are There (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Show 1 episode · as John Stark

  • The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet(1952)

    Show 13 episodes · as Doc Williams · as Doctor Williams · as Dr. Williams · as Sporting Goods Salesman

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • The Sellout (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Bennie Amboy

  • The Atomic City(1952)

    as F.B.I. Agent George Weinberg

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Let's Make It Legal(1951)

    as Ferguson

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • When Worlds Collide(1951)

    as Harold Ferris

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Ace in the Hole(1951)

    as Mr. Federber

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Dear Brat(1951)

    as Parole Officer Creavy

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Lightning Strikes Twice(1951)

    as Gas Station Man

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Hunt the Man Down(1950)

    as Showbox Puppeteer (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Mrs. O'Malley and Mr. Malone(1950)

    as Harry (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Experiment Alcatraz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Max Henry

  • Three Husbands(1950)

    as Elevator Operator (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Dial 1119 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Fred Backett (uncredited)

  • Pal, Fugitive Dog (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Doctor

  • Pretty Baby(1950)

    as Janitor (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Convicted (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Eddie (uncredited)

  • The Next Voice You Hear...(1950)

    as Bald Plant Worker in Locker Room (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Father of the Bride(1950)

    as Timid Engagement Party Guest (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • The Asphalt Jungle(1950)

    as Night Clerk (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Perfect Strangers(1950)

    as Geologist (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • The Great Rupert(1950)

    as Mr. Taney - Tax Investigator

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Young Man with a Horn(1950)

    as Hotel Clerk (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • D.O.A.(1949)

    as Eddie - Bartender (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • The Lady Takes a Sailor(1949)

    as Mr. Wentworth (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Abandoned (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Nolan - City Editor (uncredited)

  • It's a Great Feeling(1949)

    as Oculist (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Take One False Step(1949)

    as Reporter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Special Agent(1949)

    as Motorist (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Flamingo Road(1949)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • The Crooked Way (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    Actor

  • He Walked by Night(1948)

    as Pete Hammond

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Bungalow 13 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Gus Barton

  • The Checkered Coat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Skinner

  • Sarge Goes to College (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Prof. Edwards

  • Front Row Center (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 95th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 91 titles from 1945 to 1990; peak year 1964.

Biggest box office

Rear Window (1954)

$38M worldwide

Highest rated

Rear Window (1954)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Petticoat Junction (1963)

Film career

19451990

Peak 1964 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Top draw in 1 MovieCove title. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting91 of 91: 91 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score58th

By decade

1940s13 · acting1950s54 · acting1960s14 · acting1970s8 · acting1980s1 · acting1990s1 · acting

Billing

usually 16th · top billed in 0% of 22 roles
4954

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Frank Cady's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 57th percentile, the median of all 37; across their 16 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 59th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

59thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Approval · how many liked their films

52ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Reach · how many have seen their films

46thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Midcredits score across 51 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up15
  • 50th to 74th22
  • 25th to 49th11
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

30 of their 51 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser30
  • Broadly Agreed6
  • Mixed7

Most divisive · actor

Return to Green Acres (1990)

88th percentile spread · 37% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Rear Window (1954)

Midcredits 99th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 67/100 in their films, across 15 reviewed titles; fans 79, detractors 47. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Frank Cady's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 32 · mildMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 11 · minimalMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 4 · minimalMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 32 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 45 · moderateMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Frank Cady work with?

People who share at least 2 of Frank Cady's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Jerry Hopper shares the most, 2.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors