Frankie Darro
from Chicago, Illinois, USA
from Chicago, Illinois, USA
Born into a show-business family - his parents were circus aerialists - Frankie 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 .
Self (archive footage)
Lester the Drunk
Studio Guard
Delivery Man (uncredited)
Self (archive footage)
Stunts
Pharmacist's Mate 3rd Class Dooley
Robby the Robot (interior) (uncredited)
Slave (uncredited)
Ben
Jim Bascom
Bellboy Captain (uncredited)
Clint Slocum
Caddy (uncredited)
Steve Loomis
Cadet (uncredited)
Jean's Awaiting Groom (uncredited)
Jockey Williams
Newsboy (uncredited)
Rufe
Johnny Higgins
Bananas Stewart
Gig Jackson
Roy Donne
Cousin Jimmy
Jimmy Easter
Ben Feathers
Roy Donne
Roy Donne
Jockey
Roy Donne
Roy Donne
Roy Donne
Radio Listener
Jack
Dead End Kids Go To War
Jack
Frankie O'Reilly
Frankie O'Malley
Frankie Monahan
Jack 'Sock' Anderson
Jimmy O'Brien
Lampwick (voice) (uncredited)
Frankie Baxter
Frankie 'Doc' Kelly
Frankie Kelly
Frankie Ryan
Tommy Ryan
Buzzy O'Brien
Louie Miller
Jerry
Stubby
Danny Murphy
'Skipper' Murphy
Lee
Mike Sanford
Dan Mallory
Dixie Gordon
James 'Jimmy' Forbush Tallant, Jr.
"Dink" Reid
Freddie Shields
Self
Clifford 'Fishtail' O'Reilly
Spike Salisbury (uncredited)
'Tip' Collins, Jockey
'Babyface' Madison
Frankie Reynolds
Bob
Jimmy Moore
Johnny
Frankie Baxter
Charlie Anderson
James 'Jimmy' Rivers
Johnny Morgan
Slivers Sanderson
Blackie
Dan
Knobby
(Unknown)
Feri Ats
Norman Frink
Bobbie Riley
Ted Williams
James 'Jimmie' Smith
Chango
Alec, as a Child
Frank Courtney
Eddie Smith
Pete Smith
Self
Self (uncredited)
Bobby (uncredited)
Frankie Graham - The Wild Boy
Matt as a Boy (uncredited)
Jimmie Williams
Fedor as a Boy
Larry Claudet - as a Boy (uncredited)
Jimmy Carter
Robbie
Orphan McGuire
Trail of the Horse Thieves
Buddy
Buster Brown
Tadpole
Billy Ryan
Jerry Wilson
Jean Williams
Frankie Ross
Spuds O'Brien
Buddy Martin
Buddy Roberts
Frankie Sheridan
Buddy
Tyrant of Red Gulch
Tip
Matt Doe
Alexis, King of Roxenburg
Sandy Barry
Young Harry Shelby (uncredited)
Cyclone of the Range
Frankie Butler
Spuds
Tad Dennison
The Flying U Ranch
Chip Jr.
Jimmy Rand
Mickey Grogan
Birdie
Boy Prince
Urchin
Pierre
Frankie Blake
Mike
Boy
Tim Marble
Bobby
Frankie
Frankie Smith
Frankie O'Connor
Red Hot Hoofs
Frankie Buckley
Boy who dances with Hertha (uncredited)
Barnie Finn
Dan Barclay Jr.
Young Elliot Owen
Prince Zara
Mickey
Little Joey
Bubsy
The Phantom Express
'Daddles' Lane - Nora's Brother
Young Davey
Billy Gordon
Heath Twin
Half-a-Dollar Bill
Sonny Tolliver
Jimmy Danton
Little Bill
Dirk DeJong (child)