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Frankie Darro

Frankie Darro

Actor · Died December 25, 1976, aged 59 · Chicago, Illinois, USA

Frankie Darro (December 22, 1917 – December 25, 1976) was an American actor. Born into a show-business family - his parents were circus aerialists - 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 .

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
December 22, 1917
Died
December 25, 1976 (aged 59)
From
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
46 on MovieCove · 162 credits in all
TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 41% in 30 days

What are Frankie Darro's films like?

Across their 21 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

What they feel like to watch

their average across 21 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category

Light 15 · Serious 3 · Dark 3

A split, not a type: Grounded 12 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 3

Gentle 8 · Charged 9 · Intense 4

Steady 8 · Shifting 11 · Whiplash 2

Straight-faced 8 · Some laughs 11 · Funny 2

Slow burn 7 · Even-paced 11 · Relentless 3

Casual 16 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 1

Resolved 20 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

12 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 8 of 12 analyzed roles.

Hero
8 of 12
Ally
4 of 12
Show the 12 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
12
Thrilling
8
Warm
7
Hopeful
9
Melancholic
6
Other
11

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy15
  • Bittersweet5
  • Tragic1

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 Frankie Darro's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 26 of their 46 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (18).

Subscription and free streaming for Frankie Darro'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

162 credits, 46 with a MovieCove page; 5 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Fugitive Lovers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Lester the Drunk

  • The Girl on the Late, Late Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Studio Guard

  • Hook, Line and Sinker(1969)

    as Delivery Man (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films
  • The Guns of Will Sonnett (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as Bartender (uncredited)

  • Batman(1966)

    Show 2 episodes · as Newsman

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows
  • The Addams Family(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Delivery Boy

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows
  • Going My Way (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Elevator Operator

  • Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films
  • Mister Ed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

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

    Show 1 episode · as Sonny

  • Operation Petticoat(1959)

    as Pharmacist's Mate 3rd Class Dooley

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films
  • Mr. Lucky(1959)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows
  • Bat Masterson(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Edward 'Snapper' Garrison

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows
  • Peter Gunn(1958)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows
  • Perry Mason(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Elevator Operator · as Messenger

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows
  • Have Gun, Will Travel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Ten Commandments(1956)

    as Slave (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films
  • Hey, Jeannie! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 1 episode · as Caddy

  • Forbidden Planet(1956)

    as Robby the Robot (interior) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films
  • Alfred Hitchcock Presents(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Boots · as Little Dandy Dorf

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows
  • Living It Up(1954)

    as Bellboy Captain (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films
  • The Lawless Rider (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Jim Bascom

  • Public Defender (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Racing Blood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Ben

  • Two Gun Marshal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Clint Slocum

  • Pat and Mike(1952)

    as Caddy (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films
  • Westward the Women(1951)

    as Jean's Awaiting Groom (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films
  • Across the Wide Missouri(1951)

    as Cadet (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films
  • The Red Skelton Hour(1951)

    Show 1 episode · as Maw Kadiddlehopper

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows
  • The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Pride of Maryland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Steve Loomis

  • Wyoming Mail(1950)

    as Rufe

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films
  • The Next Voice You Hear...(1950)

    as Newsboy (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films
  • Riding High (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Jockey Williams

  • Sons of New Mexico(1949)

    as Gig Jackson

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films
  • Hold That Baby! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Bananas Stewart

  • Fighting Fools (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Johnny Higgins

  • Trouble Makers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Ben Feathers

  • Heart of Virginia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Jimmy Easter

  • Angels' Alley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Cousin Jimmy

  • Smart Politics (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Roy Donne

  • That's My Man(1947)

    as Jockey

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films
  • Sarge Goes to College (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Roy Donne

  • Vacation Days (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Roy Donne

  • High School Hero (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Roy Donne

  • Freddie Steps Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Roy Donne

  • Junior Prom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Roy Donne

  • Take It or Leave It (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as Radio Listener

  • Dead End Kids Go To War (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Jack

  • Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films
  • Tuxedo Junction (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Jack 'Sock' Anderson

  • Let's Go Collegiate (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Frankie Monahan

  • The Gang's All Here(1941)

    as Frankie O'Malley

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films
  • You're Out of Luck (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Frankie O'Reilly

  • Up in the Air(1940)

    as Frankie Ryan

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films
  • Laughing at Danger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Frankie Kelly

  • On the Spot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Frankie 'Doc' Kelly

  • Radio Ranch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Frankie Baxter

  • Pinocchio(1940)

    as Lampwick (voice) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films
  • Chasing Trouble (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Jimmy O'Brien

  • Irish Luck(1939)

    as Buzzy O'Brien

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films
  • Boys' Reformatory (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Tommy Ryan

  • Tough Kid(1938)

    as 'Skipper' Murphy

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
  • Wanted by the Police (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Danny Murphy

  • Juvenile Court (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Stubby

  • The Great Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Jerry

  • Reformatory (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Louie Miller

  • Young Dynamite(1937)

    as Freddie Shields

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
  • Thoroughbreds Don't Cry (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as "Dink" Reid

  • Headline Crasher(1937)

    as James 'Jimmy' Forbush Tallant, Jr.

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
  • Saratoga(1937)

    as Dixie Gordon

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films
  • Anything for a Thrill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Dan Mallory

  • Tough to Handle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Mike Sanford

  • The Devil Diamond (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Lee

  • Mind Your Own Business (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Bob

  • Racing Blood(1936)

    as Frankie Reynolds

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
  • Born to Fight(1936)

    as 'Babyface' Madison

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films
  • Charlie Chan at the Race Track(1936)

    as 'Tip' Collins, Jockey

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films
  • The Ex-Mrs. Bradford(1936)

    as Spike Salisbury (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films
  • Black Gold(1936)

    as Clifford 'Fishtail' O'Reilly

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films
  • 3 Kids and a Queen(1935)

    as Blackie

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
  • Valley of Wanted Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Slivers Sanderson

  • Men of Action (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Johnny Morgan

  • Stranded (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as James 'Jimmy' Rivers

  • Unwelcome Stranger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Charlie Anderson

  • The Phantom Empire(1935)

    as Frankie Baxter

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films
  • Red Hot Tires (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Johnny

  • The Payoff (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Jimmy Moore

  • Broadway Bill(1934)

    as Ted Williams

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films
  • Burn 'Em Up Barnes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Bobbie Riley

  • The Merry Frinks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Norman Frink

  • No Greater Glory (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Feri Ats

  • Hollywood on Parade No. B-1 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    Actor

  • The Big Race (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Knobby

  • Little Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Dan

  • Wild Boys of the Road(1933)

    as Eddie Smith

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films
  • The Wolf Dog (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Frank Courtney

  • Tugboat Annie(1933)

    as Alec, as a Child

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films
  • Laughing at Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Chango

  • The Mayor of Hell(1933)

    as James 'Jimmie' Smith

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films
  • The Devil Horse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    as Frankie Graham - The Wild Boy

  • Three on a Match(1932)

    as Bobby (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films
  • Amateur Daddy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    as Pete Smith

  • The Cheyenne Cyclone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1931)

    as Orphan McGuire

  • Way Back Home (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1931)

    as Robbie

  • The Lightning Warrior (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1931)

    as Jimmy Carter

  • The Sin of Madelon Claudet(1931)

    as Larry Claudet - as a Boy (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films
  • The Mad Genius (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1931)

    as Fedor as a Boy

  • The Vanishing Legion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1931)

    as Jimmie Williams

  • The Public Enemy(1931)

    as Matt as a Boy (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films
  • Blaze o' Glory (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    as Jean Williams

  • The Pride of Pawnee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    as Jerry Wilson

  • Rainbow Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    as Billy Ryan

  • Idaho Red (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    as Tadpole

  • Gun Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    as Buster Brown

  • Trail of the Horse Thieves (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    as Buddy

  • Tyrant of Red Gulch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1928)

    as Tip

  • The Avenging Rider (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1928)

    as Frankie Sheridan

  • The Circus Kid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1928)

    as Buddy

  • Terror Mountain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1928)

    as Buddy Roberts

  • The Texas Tornado(1928)

    as Buddy Martin

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
  • The Phantom of the Range (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1928)

    as Spuds O'Brien

  • When the Law Rides (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1928)

    as Frankie Ross

  • Little Mickey Grogan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1927)

    as Mickey Grogan

  • The Desert Pirate (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1927)

    as Jimmy Rand

  • The Flying U Ranch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1927)

    as Chip Jr.

  • Judgement Of The Hills (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1927)

    as Tad Dennison

  • Tom's Gang (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1927)

    as Spuds

  • Cyclone of the Range (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1927)

    as Frankie Butler

  • Long Pants (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1927)

    as Young Harry Shelby (uncredited)

  • Moulders of Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1927)

    as Sandy Barry

  • Lightning Lariats (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1927)

    as Alexis, King of Roxenburg

  • Her Father Said No (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1927)

    as Matt Doe

  • Flesh and the Devil(1926)

    as Boy who dances with Hertha (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films
  • Red Hot Hoofs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)

    as Frankie Buckley

  • Out of the West (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)

    as Frankie O'Connor

  • Tom and His Pals (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)

    as Frankie Smith

  • The Cowboy Cop (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)

    as Frankie

  • Hearts and Spangles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)

    as Bobby

  • The Masquerade Bandit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)

    as Tim Marble

  • Mike (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)

    as Boy

  • Wild to Go (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)

    as Frankie Blake

  • Kiki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)

    as Pierre

  • Memory Lane (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)

    as Urchin

  • The Thrill Hunter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)

    as Boy Prince

  • Born to Battle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)

    as Birdie

  • The Cowboy Musketeer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    as Billy Gordon

  • The Midnight Flyer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    as Young Davey

  • The People vs. Nancy Preston (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    as Bubsy

  • The Phantom Express (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    as 'Daddles' Lane - Nora's Brother

  • Let's Go, Gallagher (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    as Little Joey

  • Fighting the Flames (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    as Mickey

  • Confessions of a Queen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    as Prince Zara

  • Her Husband's Secret (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    as Young Elliot Owen

  • Women and Gold (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    as Dan Barclay Jr.

  • The Wyoming Wildcat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    as Barnie Finn

  • So Big (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    as Dirk DeJong (child)

  • Roaring Rails (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    as Little Bill

  • Racing for Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    as Jimmy Danton

  • The Signal Tower (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    as Sonny Tolliver

  • Half-a-Dollar Bill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    as Half-a-Dollar Bill

  • Judgment of the Storm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    as Heath Twin

Career shape

Star power in the 93rd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 162 titles from 1924 to 1975.

Film career

Top draw in 3 MovieCove titles.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting161 of 162: 161 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score62ndOther crew1 of 162: 1 only other crew, 0 with another role

By decade

1920s52 · acting1930s50 · acting1940s26 · acting1950s24 · acting1960s8 · 7 acting · 1 crew1970s2 · acting

Billing

usually 14th · top billed in 8% of 13 roles
2636

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 Frankie Darro's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 59th percentile, the median of all 38; across their 21 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 51st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

51stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Approval · how many liked their films

30thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Reach · how many have seen their films

18thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Midcredits score across 46 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up19
  • 50th to 74th11
  • 25th to 49th9
  • Below 25th7

Shape of the crowd

22 of their 46 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser22
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed14

Reviewers score the acting 67/100 in their films, across 19 reviewed titles; fans 76, detractors 48. 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.

Who does Frankie Darro work with?

People who share at least 2 of Frankie Darro's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Peter B. Kyne shares the most, 5.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles