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Frank M. Thomas

Frank M. Thomas

Actor · Died November 25, 1989, aged 100 · Saint Joseph, Missouri, USA

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Frank Marion Thomas (July 13, 1889 – November 25, 1989), was an American character actor of stage, screen and television fame. He and his wife, actress Mona Bruns, both lived to 100 years old. He died the day before her 90th birthday; she died 11 years later. Their son was Frankie Thomas Thomas' parents were Jesse and Virginia Thomas. He first appeared on Broadway in 1914. Thomas also played many supporting roles in films from the 1930s through the 1970s. His best-known films were We Who Are About To Die (1937), A Man to Remember (1938), A Shot In the Dark (1941), Desert Trail (1942), and No Place for a Lady (1943). His last screen appearance was in The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976). He performed frequently on television from the 1950s to the 1970s. He was president (Shepherd) of The Lambs (1962-63). His film appearances were so prolific at one point in his career that, in 1937 alone, he appeared in no fewer than 21 films.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 12, 1889
Died
November 25, 1989 (aged 100)
From
Saint Joseph, Missouri, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
34 on MovieCove · 106 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 37 days to Oct 26Down 18% in 30 days

What are Frank M. Thomas' films like?

Across their 13 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Drama5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 48th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 54th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 31st 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
Morality
52%
Bonds
20%
Society
14%
Self
9%
Power
3%
Ideas
2%
Justice6 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption2 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDuty2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 13 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 11 · Serious 2 · Dark 0

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

Grounded 9 · Stylized 4 · 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 7 · Charged 6 · Intense 0

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

A split, not a type: Steady 7 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 1

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

Straight-faced 3 · Some laughs 6 · Funny 4

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

Slow burn 1 · Even-paced 9 · Relentless 3

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 3 · Full focus 0

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

Resolved 13 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

4 analyzed roles

Usually the Mentor: 2 of 4 analyzed roles.

Mentor
2 of 4
Shadow
1 of 4
Herald
1 of 4

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Warm
7
Joyful
6
Hopeful
6
Tense
5
Thrilling
5
Other
3

How their films linger

Fun9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy10
  • Bittersweet3

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 M. Thomas' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 7 of their 34 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (7).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Frank M. Thomas' 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

106 credits, 34 with a MovieCove page.

  • The Shadow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Commissioner Weston

  • Horace Mann's Miracle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Horace

  • Hallmark Hall of Fame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Sleeping City(1950)

    as Police Lt. Lally (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Robert Montgomery Presents (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Martin Kane, Private Eye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    Show 4 episodes · Actor

  • Lights Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Clock (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

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

    Show 13 episodes · as Mr. Eggleston

  • The Philco Television Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    Show 1 episode · as Marley's Ghost

  • Doctor in Industry: The Story of Kennethh W. Randall, M.D. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as John Randall

  • Hello Frisco, Hello(1943)

    as Auctioneer

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • No Place for a Lady (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Webley, club owner

  • Mountain Rhythm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Dr. Elihu Prindle

  • Eyes in the Night(1942)

    as Police Lieutenant (Uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Sunset Serenade(1942)

    as Clifford Sheldon

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Apache Trail (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Maj. Lowden

  • The Postman Didn't Ring(1942)

    as Prosecutor

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • A Desperate Chance for Ellery Queen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Capt. H.T. Daley

  • Obliging Young Lady (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Bill Keenan - Editor (uncredited)

  • Sunset on the Desert(1942)

    as Judge Alvin Kirby

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Reap the Wild Wind(1942)

    as Dr. Jepson

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Wild Bill Hickok Rides(1942)

    as Tweed

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Dangerously They Live (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Ralph Bryan

  • Among the Living (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Sheriff

  • Sierra Sue(1941)

    as Banker Bromfield

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • The Great Man's Lady(1941)

    as Frisbee

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Three Sons o' Guns (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Reynolds

  • A Shot in the Dark(1941)

    as Klein

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Arkansas Judge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as August Huston

  • Life with Henry (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Joe Nye

  • Wyoming Wildcat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Frank Gannon

  • Chad Hanna (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Burke

  • Brigham Young(1940)

    as Hubert Crum

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Maryland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Dr. J. J. Bunker, Veterinarian

  • Queen of the Mob(1940)

    as Doctor

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Lillian Russell(1940)

    as Official

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Shooting High (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Calvin Pritchard

  • Women Without Names (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Prison Warden

  • High School (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as History Teacher

  • City of Chance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Publisher

  • Two Thoroughbreds (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Reeves

  • Geronimo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Politician

  • Saga of Death Valley(1939)

    as Ed Tasker

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Mr. Smith Goes to Washington(1939)

    as Hendricks (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Scandal Sheet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as District Attorney

  • $1000 a Touchdown(1939)

    as Dr. Black (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • They All Come Out(1939)

    as Superintendent - Chillicothe

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Bachelor Mother(1939)

    as Doctor

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Grand Jury Secrets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Benton

  • The Rookie Cop (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Police Chief Gordon H. Lane

  • They Made Her a Spy(1939)

    as Col. John Shaw

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Society Lawyer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Lt. Stevens

  • Secret Service of the Air(1939)

    as Doc

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Idiot's Delight(1939)

    as Bert

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Burn 'Em Up O'Connor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Jim Nixon

  • The Mysterious Miss X (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as District Attorney Al Ross

  • Disbarred (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Dist. Atty. G.H. Blanchard

  • Death of a Champion(1939)

    as Chief Sanders

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Strange Faces (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Ward

  • A Man to Remember(1938)

    as Jode Harkness

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Mr. Doodle Kicks Off (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Coach Hammond

  • Smashing the Rackets(1938)

    as Judge Wend

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Crime Ring (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Thomas Redwine

  • The Saint in New York(1938)

    as Prosecutor (Uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Blind Alibi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Larson

  • Vivacious Lady(1938)

    as Train Conductor (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Joy of Living (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Arthur (Uncredited)

  • Law of the Underworld (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Police Captain Gargan

  • Go Chase Yourself (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Police Chief

  • This Marriage Business (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Mayor Frisbee

  • Maid's Night Out(1938)

    as 'Mac' McCarthy

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Night Spot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Headwaiter

  • Everybody's Doing It(1938)

    as Charlie

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Crashing Hollywood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Detective Decker

  • Quick Money (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Jim Clark

  • Danger Patrol (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Rocky Sanders

  • High Flyers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Officer Collins

  • Breakfast for Two(1937)

    as Sam Ransome

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Forty Naughty Girls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Jeff "Pops" Plummer

  • The Big Shot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as A.C. Murdock

  • Meet the Missus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Barney Lott

  • Behind The Headlines (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Naylor

  • You Can't Buy Luck (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Lieutenant Bond

  • The Outcasts of Poker Flat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Mr. Redford

  • The Soldier and the Lady(1937)

    as Railroad Official (Uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • The Man Who Found Himself(1937)

    as Mr. Roberts

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • China Passage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Captain Williams

  • Don't Tell the Wife (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Insperator Mallory

  • We're on the Jury (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Mr. Van Cobb

  • They Wanted to Marry (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Detective

  • Criminal Lawyer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as William Walker

  • Racing Lady (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Bradford

  • We Who Are About to Die(1936)

    as M.L. Carter

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Wanted: Jane Turner (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Banks

  • Without Orders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Arthur Trueman

  • The Big Game (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Coach

  • Mummy's Boys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Phillip Browning

  • Don't Turn 'em Loose (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Attorney Pierce

  • Grand Jury (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as John Taylor

  • M'Liss (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Alf Edwards

  • The Last Outlaw (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Dr. Charles Mason

  • The Ex-Mrs. Bradford(1936)

    as Mike North (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Wednesday's Child (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Attorney for Mr. Phillips (in some prints as Tom Franklin)

  • Deadline at Eleven (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    as Jack Rawson

  • Nearly Married (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    as Harry Lindsey

Career shape

Star power in the 70th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 105 titles from 1917 to 1954.

Highest rated

Breakfast for Two (1937)

Midcredits 54th

Most popular right now

The Man Who Found Himself (1937)

Film career

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting105 of 105: 105 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score54th

By decade

1910s1 · acting1920s1 · acting1930s62 · acting1940s36 · acting1950s5 · acting

Billing

usually 17th · top billed in 0% of 5 roles

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.

How do Frank M. Thomas' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 54th percentile, the median of all 34; across their 13 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 52nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

52ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Approval · how many liked their films

38thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Reach · how many have seen their films

22ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Midcredits score across 34 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up5
  • 50th to 74th15
  • 25th to 49th11
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

15 of their 34 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Crowd Pleaser15
  • Broadly Agreed7
  • Mixed10

Most divisive · actor

Death of a Champion (1939)

63rd percentile spread · 25% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

Midcredits 97th · 87% liked

Reviewers score the acting 60/100 in their films, across 12 reviewed titles; fans 70, detractors 37. 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 Frank M. Thomas work with?

People who share at least 2 of Frank M. Thomas' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Joseph Kane shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers and editors

Producers