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Fred 'Snowflake' Toones

Fred 'Snowflake' Toones

Actor · Died February 13, 1962, aged 56 · North Carolina, USA

Fred "Snowflake" Toones was a character actor who appeared in over 200 films between 1928 and 1951. He often worked under contract for Republic Pictures, appearing in about 40 of its films. He played a bootblack or shoeshine man in at least six of his movies, and Toones actually ran the shoeshine stand at Republic Studios. He first appeared as a porter in 1932 in The Hurricane Express and was usually typecast as a porter - appearing in over 50 films in such a role. He also played a variety of other service-oriented or domestic worker roles such as stable grooms, janitors, elevator operators, valets, cooks, bellhops, doormen, butlers, and bartenders. Like other actors of the time, i.e. Anna May Wong and Franklin Pangborn, Toones is a prime example of racial and social stereotyping in the Hollywood film industry. His standard characterization was that of a middle-aged "colored" man with a high-pitched voice and childlike mannerisms. "Snowflake" was the stage name Toones was best known by, and he used this name as his credit as early as his third film, 1931's Shanghaied Love. Likewise, in Shanghaied Love and over 35 other films, "Snowflake" was also Toones' character name. He acted in films such as Mississippi (1935), Hawk of the Wilderness (1938), and Daredevils of the Red Circle (1939) with Bruce Bennett and in many "B" westerns such as The Lawless Nineties (1936) with John Wayne. He also appeared in dozens of two-reelers such as Columbia's Woman Haters (1934) with the Three Stooges, and had a bit role in Laurel and Hardy's classic feature Way Out West (1937). Toones is also a familiar face in four Preston Sturges comedies: Twentieth Century (1934), Remember the Night (1940), Christmas in July (1940), and The Palm Beach Story (1942). He died on 13 February 1962 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 5, 1906
Died
February 13, 1962 (aged 56)
From
North Carolina, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
56 on MovieCove · 149 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 39 days to Oct 28Down 2% in 30 days

What are Fred 'Snowflake' Toones' films like?

Across their 11 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 23rd percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 26th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime 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
54%
Bonds
27%
Self
11%
Society
6%
Power
2%
Justice9 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition3 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 11 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 0 · Dark 0

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

Grounded 8 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 0

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

Gentle 4 · Charged 7 · Intense 0

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

Steady 9 · Shifting 2 · Whiplash 0

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

Straight-faced 5 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 1

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

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 6 · 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 1 · Full focus 0

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

Resolved 11 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

1 analyzed role

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
8
Hopeful
7
Thrilling
4
Joyful
3
Absurd
1
Other
4

How their films linger

Feel-good8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy10
  • Bittersweet1

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 Fred 'Snowflake' Toones' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 25 of their 56 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (18).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Fred 'Snowflake' Toones' 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

149 credits, 56 with a MovieCove page.

  • Racket Squad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Where There's Life(1947)

    as Department Store Mover (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Bells of San Angelo(1947)

    as The Cook

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • The Secret of the Whistler(1946)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Fool's Gold (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Speed

  • G.I. War Brides(1946)

    as Pullman Porter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Two Sisters from Boston(1946)

    as Porter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • The Lost Weekend(1945)

    as Washroom Attendant at Harry & Joe's (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Barbary Coast Gent (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as Train Porter

  • Hidden Valley Outlaws (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as Snowflake

  • The Mystery of the 13th Guest(1943)

    as Joe (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Here Comes Mr. Zerk (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Shooting Galley Man

  • Spy Train (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Pullman Car Porter (as Snowflake)

  • Land of Hunted Men(1943)

    as Snowflake

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Haunted Ranch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Sam

  • Who's Superstitious? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Dice Player

  • Queen of Broadway (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Mose (as Snowflake)

  • Silver Queen(1942)

    as Butler (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Give Out, Sisters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Nightclub Valet

  • The Palm Beach Story(1942)

    as Colored Bartender

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Groom and Bored (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Train Porter

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

    as George - Train Porter (uncredited)

  • A Missouri Outlaw (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Snowflake (as Snowflake)

  • The Great Man's Lady(1941)

    as Pogey

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Death Valley Outlaws (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Snowflake (as Snowflake)

  • The Apache Kid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Snowflake (as Snowflake)

  • Two Gun Sheriff (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Snowflake (as Snowflake)

  • Repent at Leisure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Rufe

  • Back in the Saddle(1941)

    as Train Porter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Sleepers West (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

  • Golden Hoofs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Snowflake

  • Texas Terrors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Snowflake (as Snowflake)

  • Christmas in July(1940)

    as Sam (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Frontier Vengeance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Snowflake (as Snowflake)

  • I Want a Divorce (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Porter

  • Ride, Tenderfoot, Ride(1940)

    as Train Porter

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • The Tulsa Kid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Snowflake - the Cook (as Snowflake)

  • Carolina Moon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Sam (uncredited)

  • One Man's Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Snowflake (as Snowflake)

  • The Biscuit Eater (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Sermon

  • Gaucho Serenade(1940)

    as New York City Pier Worker

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Pardon My Berth Marks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Train Porter

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

    as Genesis

  • Remember the Night(1939)

    as Rufus

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Mr. Smith Goes to Washington(1939)

    as Porter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Hollywood Cavalcade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Train Porter

  • Daredevils of the Red Circle(1939)

    as Snowflake

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Dodge City(1939)

    as Willie (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • King of the Turf (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Groom

  • Navy Secrets(1939)

    as Steve's Shoe-Shiner

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Red River Range(1938)

    as Bellhop (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Hawk of the Wilderness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as George

  • The Nightshirt Bandit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Sam

  • Under the Big Top (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Juba

  • Riders of the Black Hills (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Snowflake (as Snowflake)

  • She Loved a Fireman(1937)

    as Joe

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Wild Horse Rodeo(1937)

    as Snowflake

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Duke Comes Back (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Snowflake

  • Youth on Parole (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Redcap (uncredited)

  • Range Defenders(1937)

    as Cook

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Yodelin' Kid from Pine Ridge(1937)

    as Sam

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • A Day at Santa Anita (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Cloudy (uncredited)

  • Gunsmoke Ranch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Snowflake (unconfirmed)

  • A Star Is Born(1937)

    as Witness (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Way Out West(1937)

    as Janitor

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Fair Warning (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Porter

  • Off to the Races (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Ebbie

  • Smart Blonde (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Redcap Getting Tip (uncredited)

  • Gold Diggers of 1937(1936)

    as Snowflake (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Aces Wild(1936)

    as Snowflake

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • College Holiday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Porter (uncredited)

  • Racing Blood(1936)

    as Sad Sam

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Come and Get It(1936)

    as Snowflake (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Born to Fight(1936)

    as Snowflake

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Frontier Justice(1935)

    as Snowflake

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • The Girl on the Front Page (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    Actor

  • The Gorgeous Hussy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Horatius (uncredited)

  • The Green Pastures(1936)

    as Zubo (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Palm Springs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Porter

  • The Lonely Trail(1936)

    as Snowflake

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Romance in the Air (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Janitor

  • The Peppery Salt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Black Henchman

  • Florida Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

  • Desert Justice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Snowflake - Bank Janitor

  • Big Brown Eyes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Chalky (Uncredited)

  • Wildcat Saunders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Snowflake

  • Hair-Trigger Casey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Snowflake

  • The Lawless Nineties (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Moses

  • Black Gold(1936)

    as Snowflake

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Freshman Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Mose (uncredited)

  • Riddle Ranch(1935)

    as Snowflake

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

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

    as Snowflake

  • Hands Across the Table(1935)

    as Snowflake (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Honeymoon Bridge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    Actor

  • Cheers of the Crowd(1935)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Alibi Ike (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Night Porter

  • $10 Raise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Bootblack (uncredited)

  • Social Error (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Shadow

  • Love, Honor and Obey (the Law!) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Phone operator (uncredited)

  • Go Into Your Dance(1935)

    as Snowflake

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Stolen Harmony (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Henry (uncredited)

  • A Night at the Ritz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Porter (uncredited)

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

    as Leadsman (uncredited)

  • Raised and Called (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    Actor

  • Speed Limited (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Vegas Station Pullman Porter

  • The Gay Bride (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as 1st bootblack (uncredited)

  • You Bring the Ducks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Snowflake

  • Imitation of Life(1934)

    as Man at Funeral (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Lady by Choice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Mose (uncredited)

  • Death on the Diamond(1934)

    as Porter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Something Simple (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Taxi Driver

  • Here Comes the Navy(1934)

    as Cookie (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Handy Andy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    Actor

  • Murder in the Private Car (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Titus

  • Here Comes the Groom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Porter

  • Half a Sinner (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Snowflake

  • Twentieth Century(1934)

    as George Washington Jones (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Woman Haters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Baggage Handler (uncredited) · as Baggage Man (uncredited)

  • Riptide(1934)

    as Slick

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Palooka(1934)

    as Smokey (as Snowflake)

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Sleepers East (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Porter (uncredited)

  • King for a Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Masseur

  • Before Midnight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as 1st Taxi Driver

  • Only Yesterday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Wall Street Bootblack (Uncredited)

  • Meet the Baron (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Stable Groom (uncredited)

  • Saturday's Millions (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Porter

  • Goodbye Again (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Train Porter (uncredited)

  • Deluge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Townsman

  • The Mayor of Hell(1933)

    as Mr. Hemingway (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Gold Diggers of 1933(1933)

    as Black Man in "Pettin' in the Park" Number (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Central Airport(1933)

    as Hotel Porter

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • The Mind Reader(1933)

    as Black Man - Shill at Hair Tonic (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Fast Workers(1933)

    as Mike (Uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Robbers' Roost (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    as Snowflake

  • A Strange Adventure(1932)

    as Jeff

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang(1932)

    as Marine on Ship (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • The Cabin in the Cotton(1932)

    as Ezzy Daniels (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Out of Singapore (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    as Snowball, the Ship's Cook

  • American Madness(1932)

    as Sam (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • The Hurricane Express(1932)

    as Sam (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • The Arm of the Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    as Jackson

  • The County Fair (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    as Curfew

  • Police Court (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    Actor

  • Single-Handed Sanders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    as Snowflake

  • Human Targets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    as 'Snowflake'

  • A Private Scandal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1931)

    as Snowflake

  • Who's Who in the Zoo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1931)

    as Park Worker with Harmonica (uncredited)

  • The Galloping Ghost (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1931)

    as Football Fan

  • Ladies' Night in a Turkish Bath (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1928)

    as Barbershop Attendant (uncredited)

Career shape

Star power in the 86th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 149 titles from 1928 to 1951.

Highest rated

Way Out West (1937)

Midcredits 92nd

Film career

  • 1932Screen debut· American Madness
  • 1937Career best· Way Out West

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting149 of 149: 149 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score55th

By decade

1920s1 · acting1930s104 · acting1940s43 · acting1950s1 · acting

Billing

usually 17th · top billed in 0% of 11 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 Fred 'Snowflake' Toones' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 55th percentile, the median of all 56; across their 11 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 25th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

25thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Approval · how many liked their films

15thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Reach · how many have seen their films

8thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Midcredits score across 56 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up19
  • 50th to 74th12
  • 25th to 49th13
  • Below 25th12

Shape of the crowd

21 of their 56 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved9
  • Universally Panned1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser19
  • Broadly Agreed5
  • Mixed21

Most divisive · actor

G.I. War Brides (1946)

71st percentile spread · 24% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932)

Midcredits 98th · 88% liked

Reviewers score the acting 54/100 in their films, across 10 reviewed titles; fans 64, detractors 39. 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 Fred 'Snowflake' Toones work with?

People who share at least 2 of Fred 'Snowflake' Toones' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Peter B. Kyne shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers and editors

Producers