Franklin Pangborn
Acting • Born 1889-01-23 – Died 1958-07-20
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Franklin Pangborn (January 23, 1889 – July 20, 1958) was an American comedic character actor famous for playing small but memorable roles with comic flair. He appeared in scores of feature films playing essentially the same character: prissy, polite, elegant, highly energetic, often officious, fastidious, somewhat nervous, prone to becoming flustered but essentially upbeat, and with immediately recognizable high-speed, patter-type speech. He typically played an officious desk clerk in a hotel, a self-important musician, a fastidious headwaiter, an enthusiastic birdwatcher, and the like, and was usually put in a situation of frustration or flustered by the antics of others. Pangborn was an effective foil for many major comedians.
Filmography
198 credits
The Bank Dick
Movie • 1940
J. Pinkerton Snoopington
Reno or Bust
Movie • 1930
The Sin of Harold Diddlebock
Movie • 1947
Formfit Franklin
King Kelly of the U.S.A.
Movie • 1934
J. Ashton Brockton
My Dream Is Yours
Movie • 1949
Sourpuss Manager
A Star Is Born
Movie • 1937
Billy Moon (uncredited)
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town
Movie • 1936
The Tailor (uncredited)
Bluebeard's 8th Wife
Movie • 1938
Assistant Hotel Manager
The Palm Beach Story
Movie • 1942
Manager
Now, Voyager
Movie • 1942
Mr. Thompson
Christmas in July
Movie • 1940
Don Hartman - Radio Announcer
Never Give a Sucker an Even Break
Movie • 1941
The Producer
George Washington Slept Here
Movie • 1942
Mr. Gibney
Hail the Conquering Hero
Movie • 1944
Reception Committee Chairman
The Great Moment
Movie • 1944
Dr. Heywood
Carefree
Movie • 1938
Roland Hunter
Tillie the Toiler
Movie • 1941
Perry Tweedale
The Story of Mankind
Movie • 1957
Marquis de Varennes
Just Around the Corner
Movie • 1938
Waters
The Flame of New Orleans
Movie • 1941
Bellows
Romance on the High Seas
Movie • 1948
Rio Hotel Clerk
Stage Door
Movie • 1937
Harcourt
Fifth Avenue Girl
Movie • 1939
Higgins
Sullivan's Travels
Movie • 1941
Mr. Casalsis
The Mandarin Mystery
Movie • 1936
Mellish
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm
Movie • 1938
Hamilton Montmarcy
The Horn Blows at Midnight
Movie • 1945
Radio Engineer / Sloan
Four's a Crowd
Movie • 1938
Preston
Easy Living
Movie • 1937
Van Buren
Topper Takes a Trip
Movie • 1938
Louis - Hotel Manager
Trying Out Torchy
Movie • 1933
Office manager
Hollywood and Vine
Movie • 1945
Reggie
Design for Living
Movie • 1933
Mr. Douglas
The Half-Naked Truth
Movie • 1932
Hotel Clerk
Reveille with Beverly
Movie • 1943
Vernon Lewis (uncredited)
Swing High, Swing Low
Movie • 1937
Henri
Cockeyed Cavaliers
Movie • 1934
Town Crier
I'll Be Yours
Movie • 1947
Barber
Blue of the Night
Movie • 1931
Gilbert Sinclair
Broadway Serenade
Movie • 1939
Gene, Collier's Composer
A Fool's Advice
Movie • 1932
Egbert - Hotel Clerk
Danger – Love at Work
Movie • 1937
Train dining car headwaiter
Her Man
Movie • 1930
Sport
Calendar Girl
Movie • 1947
Dilly Dillingsworth
It Happened in Hollywood
Movie • 1937
Mr. Forsythe
Obliging Young Lady
Movie • 1942
Professor Gibney
Holy Matrimony
Movie • 1943
Duncan Farll
Art in the Raw
Movie • 1933
A Blonde for a Night
Movie • 1928
Hector
Manhattan Love Song
Movie • 1934
Garrett Wetherby
Menu
Movie • 1933
John Xavier Omsk (uncredited)
Tomorrow's Youth
Movie • 1934
Thornton
Tell It to a Star
Movie • 1945
Horace Lovelace
All Over Town
Movie • 1937
The Costumer
Sweepings
Movie • 1933
Photographer (Uncredited)
Dream Stuff
Movie • 1933
Gordon
My Friend from India
Movie • 1927
William / Tommy Valentine
The Loud Mouth
Movie • 1932
A Girl, a Guy, and a Gob
Movie • 1941
Pet Shop Owner
Cradle Snatchers
Movie • 1927
Howard Drake
The Girl Downstairs
Movie • 1938
Adolf Pumpfel
Hats Off
Movie • 1936
Mr. Churchill
Not So Dumb
Movie • 1930
Leach
Tango
Movie • 1936
Oscar, the Photographer
The Chumps
Movie • 1930
Eddie Gray
Jimmy's New Yacht
Movie • 1932
Everett
Torchy Raises the Auntie
Movie • 1932
Office Manager
Torchy's Night Cap
Movie • 1932
Office Manager
Torchy
Movie • 1931
Office Manager
Torchy Turns the Trick
Movie • 1932
Office Manager
Torchy Passes the Buck
Movie • 1931
Office Manager
Torchy's Two Toots
Movie • 1932
Office Manager
Torchy's Kitty Coup
Movie • 1933
Office Manager
Torchy Rolls His Own
Movie • 1932
Office Manager
Torchy's Busy Day
Movie • 1932
Office Manager
Torchy Turns Turtle
Movie • 1933
Office Manager
Torchy's Loud Spooker
Movie • 1933
Office Manager
Professional Sweetheart
Movie • 1933
Herbert
High Hat
Movie • 1937
Renaldo Breton
Lover Come Back
Movie • 1946
Hotel desk clerk
Flirtation
Movie • 1934
Veterinarian
Weekend for Three
Movie • 1941
Number Seven, Old Field Inn Waiter
Tee for Two
Movie • 1932
Henry
Dangerous Holiday
Movie • 1937
Doffle
She's Dangerous
Movie • 1937
Fashion Designer
Rich Relations
Movie • 1937
Mr. Dwight
Doctor's Orders
Movie • 1932
Doctor Rhythm
Movie • 1938
Mr. Stenchfield (Store Clerk)
It's All Yours
Movie • 1937
Schultz
Always Goodbye
Movie • 1938
Bicycle Salesman
Cheer Up and Smile
Movie • 1930
Professor
Three Blind Mice
Movie • 1938
Clerk
Breakfast in Bed
Movie • 1930
John
Spring Parade
Movie • 1940
Wiedlemeyer
A Lady Surrenders
Movie • 1930
Lawton
Over the Counter
Movie • 1932
Drake's Assistant
You Came Along
Movie • 1945
Hotel Clerk
The Important Witness
Movie • 1933
Groom
Joy of Living
Movie • 1938
Orchestra Leader
Going Hollywood: The '30s
Movie • 1984
(archive footage)
Getting Gertie's Garter
Movie • 1927
Algy Brooks
Hollywood Victory Caravan
Movie • 1945
Railroad Agent
What Price Taxi
Movie • 1932
Taxi Boy
Call Out the Marines
Movie • 1942
Wilbur
The Captain Hits the Ceiling
Movie • 1935
Jimmy Martin
Vivacious Lady
Movie • 1938
Apartment Manager
Easy on the Eyes
Movie • 1933
Franklyn Pierce
She Married an Artist
Movie • 1937
Paul
A Woman of Experience
Movie • 1931
Hans
Doughnuts and Society
Movie • 1936
Benson
The Life of the Party
Movie • 1937
Beggs
Bed of Roses
Movie • 1933
Floorwalker
Dangerous Number
Movie • 1937
Hotel Desk Clerk
Living on Love
Movie • 1937
Ogilvie O. Oglethorpe
The Sap
Movie • 1929
Ed Mason
Young and Beautiful
Movie • 1934
Radio Announcer
We Have Our Moments
Movie • 1937
Joe
I'll Take Romance
Movie • 1937
Kane's Secretary
Turnabout
Movie • 1940
Mr. Pingboom
Eight Bells
Movie • 1935
Finch
Mr. District Attorney in the Carter Case
Movie • 1941
Charley Towne
The Lady Escapes
Movie • 1937
Pierre
Three Smart Girls
Movie • 1936
Jeweler
Hit Parade of 1941
Movie • 1940
Carter
Moonlight Masquerade
Movie • 1942
Fairchild
My Best Gal
Movie • 1944
Mr. Porter
She Married Her Boss
Movie • 1935
Window Dresser (uncredited)
Parachute Jumper
Movie • 1933
Man in Private Office (uncredited)
Give Us This Night
Movie • 1936
Forcellini's Secretary
What's Cookin'?
Movie • 1942
Professor Bistell
Love on Toast
Movie • 1937
Finley
Stage Door Canteen
Movie • 1943
Franklin Pangborn
$1,000 a Minute
Movie • 1935
Reville
When Love Is Young
Movie • 1937
John Dorman
Where Did You Get That Girl?
Movie • 1941
Digby
Never a Dull Moment
Movie • 1943
Sylvester
Allergic to Love
Movie • 1944
Stewart Ives III
Honeymoon Lodge
Movie • 1943
Cathcart
My Grandfather's Clock
Movie • 1934
Dr. Watkins
The Eternal Melody
Movie • 1949
The Cat Lover
International House
Movie • 1933
Hotel Manager
To Mary - with Love
Movie • 1936
Guest
Next Door Neighbors
Movie • 1931
Landlord
Two Guys from Milwaukee
Movie • 1946
Theatre Manager
Flying Down to Rio
Movie • 1933
Hammerstein (uncredited)
Exit Smiling
Movie • 1926
Cecil Lovelace
Sunny
Movie • 1930
Party Guest (uncredited)
Unknown Blonde
Movie • 1934
Male Co-Respondent
Don't Gamble with Love
Movie • 1936
Salesman
Poor Aubrey
Movie • 1930
Aubrey Piper
The Unchained Goddess
Movie • 1958
the Cloud Painter (voice)
Hollywood Trouble
Movie • 1935
Tailor
Wild Poses
Movie • 1933
Otto Phocus
Headline Shooter
Movie • 1933
Adolphus G. Crocker
On Trial
Movie • 1928
Turnbull
Thrill of a Lifetime
Movie • 1937
Sam Williams
College Rhythm
Movie • 1934
Peabody
Swing Banditry
Movie • 1936
Radio Announcer (uncredited)
The Giddy Age
Movie • 1932
George
Public Deb No. 1
Movie • 1940
Bartender
Two Weeks to Live
Movie • 1943
Mr. Pinkney
My Man Godfrey
Movie • 1936
Guthrie (uncredited)
Sing, Bing, Sing
Movie • 1933
Herbert
Bad Housekeeping
Movie • 1937
Piano Tuner
The Girl in the Pullman
Movie • 1927
Hector Brooks
See My Lawyer
Movie • 1945
B.J. Wagonhorn
She Had to Eat
Movie • 1937
Mr. Phoecian-Wylie
Bachelor Daddy
Movie • 1941
Williams, Club Manager
Crazy House
Movie • 1943
Hotel Clerk
Reckless Age
Movie • 1944
Mr. Thurtle
She Couldn't Take It
Movie • 1935
Spot's Secretary
Finger Prints
Movie • 1927
The Bandoline Kid
Only Yesterday
Movie • 1933
Tom (Uncredited)
Lighthouse Love
Movie • 1932
Pvt. Jerry Stone
Imitation of Life
Movie • 1934
Mr. Carven (uncredited)
Step Lively, Jeeves!
Movie • 1937
Head Waiter
Screen Snapshots Series 18, No. 8
Movie • 1939
Franklin Pangborn
Lighthouse Love
Movie • 1932
Pvt. Jerry Stone
Many Happy Returns
Movie • 1934
Allen's Secretary
Strictly Dynamite
Movie • 1934
Mr. Bailey
Strictly in the Groove
Movie • 1942
Cathcart
Lady of the Pavements
Movie • 1929
M'sieu Dubrey, Dance Master
The Villain Still Pursued Her
Movie • 1940
Bartender (uncredited)
The Headline Woman
Movie • 1935
Hamilton
Down Memory Lane
Movie • 1949
(archive footage)
Hollywood Halfbacks
Movie • 1931
The Luckiest Girl in the World
Movie • 1936
Cashier
She Married Her Boss
Movie • 1935
Window Dresser
That's Gratitude
Movie • 1934
Photographer
The Candid Camera
Movie • 1932
Jack Townes
The Rejuvenation of Aunt Mary
Movie • 1927
Melville
Divorce Sweets
Movie • 1933
Uncle Jeremiah
The Colgate Comedy Hour
TV • 1950
Self
This Is Your Life
TV • 1952
Self
Tonight Starring Jack Paar
TV • 1957
Self - Announcer
Hey Mulligan
TV • 1954
Mr. Bean
The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet
TV • 1952
Mr. Canfield (uncredited)
Revlon Mirror Theatre
TV • 1953