On the right is Frankie Darro in a 1934 photo when he was about seventeen years of age.

"His mother, the former Italian aerialist who had never worked again after her nervous breakdown in Long Beach ..."

"With his wife prostrate and himself untrained at anything outside his own specialty, the elder Johnson looked to dark-eyed, muscular, five-year-old Frankie as a potential source of income. Somewhere in his travels Johnson had made the acquaintance of a man named Ralph Ince, who was now a movie producer in Hollywood. He took the boy out to his old friend's studio, where he was interviewed. Ince needed a five-year-old to appear in a movie called Judgment of the Storm, starring Wallace Beery. Changing the boy's name to Frankie Darro, he gave him the role."

Frankie's film debut was JUDGMENT OF THE STORM (Palmer Photoplay/F. B. O., 1924), but Wallace Beery was not in the cast. The star was Lloyd Hughes and Frankie was 6 - 7 years old. A few more child roles came his way at First National, Universal, Columbia, other production companies.

Film Booking Office (F. B. O.) was a prolific silent film producer and distributor, and the forerunner of RKO. In the 1920s, it was run by Joseph Kennedy, Sr., President John F. Kennedy's father, and their films included scores of westerns starring Fred Thomson, Bob Steele, Tom Tyler, teenager Buzz Barton ... and even Tom Mix did a few in 1928 after his exit from Fox.

The Tyler series amounted to twenty-nine oaters released in 1925 - 1929. Little Frankie played his kid helper in over two dozen.

• THE LIGHTNING WARRIOR (1931; 12 chapters) has Darro billed second after canine star Rin-Tin-Tin Sr.
• THE VANISHING LEGION (1931; 12 chapters) has Darro billed fourth after Harry Carey, heroine Edwina Booth, and William Desmond.
• THE DEVIL HORSE (1932; 12 chapters) has Darro billed third after Harry Carey and villain Noah Beery, Sr.
• THE WOLF DOG (1933; 12 chapters) has Darro billed second after canine star Rin-Tin-Tin Jr.
• BURN 'EM UP BARNES (1934; 12 chapters) has Darro billed first followed by Jack Mulhall and Lola Lane.
• THE PHANTOM EMPIRE (1935; 12 chapters) has Darro billed second after Gene Autry.

Let's do some math. We have six cliffhangers times 12 chapters each for a total of 72 episodes ... and that equates to being seen at 72 Saturday matinees.

Guessing that young MALE theater patrons were thrilled to see a teenager with lots of screen time ... and playing a hero.

(Courtesy of Bruce Hickey)

Above - Rin-Tin-Tin Sr. and Frankie Darro in a chapter 1 lobby card for THE LIGHTNING WARRIOR (Mascot, 1931). This was Rinty Sr.'s last film, and Darro's first for Mascot.

(Courtesy of Bruce Hickey)

(From Old Corral collection)

He worked with James Cagney in gangster drama THE PUBLIC ENEMY (First National, 1931) and THE MAYOR OF HELL (First National, 1933) which had a reform school plot.

He was an orphan in the low budget Lane Chandler western, THE CHEYENNE CYCLONE (Willis Kent, 1931).

Noted director William Wellman helmed Cagney's THE PUBLIC ENEMY. A couple years later, Frankie was back with Wellman and starring in the Pre-code WILD BOYS OF THE ROAD (First National, 1933), a gritty and gutsy Depression era saga of broken families, displaced teens, hobo camps, and "riding the rails". Filmed and released prior to the establishment of the 1934 Hays Code, WILD BOYS is a bleak but interesting social commentary.

His small size and riding skills got him typecast as a jockey. Examples include: Frank Capra's BROADWAY BILL (Columbia, 1934) with Warner Baxter and Myrna Loy; THE BIG RACE (Showmen's Pictures / Screencraft, 1934) with Boots Mallory, John Darrow, and Paul Hurst; A DAY AT THE RACES (MGM, 1937) with the Marx Brothers; and THOROUGHBREDS DON'T CRY (MGM, 1937) with Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney. And in CHARLIE CHAN AT THE RACE TRACK (Fox, 1936), crooked jockey Frankie takes a payoff from a gambling ring, throws the horse race, complains about the money he received ... and winds up dead. Lots more jockey roles for him in later years.

Then he starred in a series for independent producer Maurice Conn (Conn Productions and Ambassador Pictures) and adult helpers were Le Roy Mason (billed as Roy Mason) followed by Kane Richmond. Ten films were released in 1935 - 1937 and each had a unique plot. In addition to the Darros, Conn produced other low budget fare, including Ken Maynard's brother Kermit in a respectable batch of westerns and mounted police adventures. Then bad luck for both Kermit and Frankie - in late 1937 - early 1938, Maurice Conn filed for bankruptcy and took his production unit to Monogram where he did some Tim McCoy and Jack Randall oaters. Among the Darro / Kane Richmond adventures was RACING BLOOD (Conn, 1936), another jockey flick for Frankie.

Frankie had a substantial role in THE GREAT ADVENTURES OF WILD BILL HICKOK (Columbia, 1938; 15 chapters). The star was Gordon Elliott (before he became "Wild Bill" Elliott). Frankie was billed fourth, after Elliott, Monte Blue, and leading lady Carol Wayne. And he dies in Chapter 10 when he falls off a cliff during a struggle with one of the raider gang.

Next was Monogram Pictures and ten films were released in 1938 - 1941. Great comedic foil Mantan Moreland was his sidekick in eight. The other Monograms - without Moreland - were boxing yarn TOUGH KID (Monogram, 1938) and BOYS REFORMATORY (Monogram, 1939), a tale about a corrupt reform school.

In 1940, he was at Disney doing the voice of "Lampwick" in the animated PINOCCHIO (Walt Disney/RKO, 1940). (Several other western film performers did voices in that - Dick (Dickie) Jones was "Pinocchio" and Cliff "Ukulele Ike" Edwards voiced "Jiminy Cricket".) Darro and Dickie Jones were also in the one-hour radio version of "Pinochio" which was broadcast December 25, 1939 on the Lux Radio Theater on CBS.

He was doing well financially, and in the 1940 census, he reported his 1939 income as $5,000.00+. That was big money - according to the Census Bureau, the median income for a man in 1940 was $956.00.

World War II intervened and his service in the Navy began April 6, 1942. He was twenty-four years old.

Among his last films prior to Navy duty was a tough teen in the forgettable TUXEDO JUNCTION (Republic, 1941) with the Weaver Brothers and Elviry. And he was a good guy chemist helping Billy Halop and the Dead End Kids and Little Tough Guys in JUNIOR G-MEN OF THE AIR (Universal, 1942; 12 chapters).

Frankie's time as a leading man and star was now over.

"Frankie was fired, it's open for discussion whether it was due to drink or the heat inside the robot. I'm almost certain it was due to drink."

Circa 1950, he became owner of a saloon and eatery on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles, and named it the "Try Later". August 16, 1951 Los Angeles Daily News had a Darro interview with details on his new business venture:

"His cocktail lounge is dubbed 'Try Later' and caters to 'the kids from pictures'. Darro explains the 'Try Later' as follows: You know, when you call Central Casting, they tell you only two things on the phone, 'No work' or 'Try Later'."

"This is my first venture into this business. I've always wanted to have a bar. I've spent so much money on the other side of bars that I thought I'd get behind one and get even."

"Associated with him in the enterprise is Lee Carroll, an ex-Hollywood agent."

He was married two or three times. Wife number one was Aloha Wright and they married in 1939. She appeared in a few films using the screen name "Aloha Wray". In 1943, he tied the knot with Betty Marie Morrow. In the 1950 census, the occupations of bar owner Frankie and Betty were "Bar tender" and "Cocktail waitress". His only child, daughter Darlene A. Darro, was born to he and Betty on January 25, 1946 in Los Angeles. Betty filed for divorce due to his drinking and money problems, and in August, 1951, she was granted a divorce and custody of Darlene. Dorothy Carroll may be wife number three - or they had a common law relationship - and they were together through his passing.

Frankie Darro died from a heart attack on Christmas Day, 1976 during a visit with daughter Darlene. He was 59 years old.

The California Death Index and the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) have records - he was born December 22, 1917 in Illinois and passed away in Orange County, California on December 25, 1976. No luck finding a death or funeral announcement in trade publications or newspapers.

He was spunky, athletic, a good rider, chock full of energy and enthusiam, and a pretty good actor. His peak Hollywood years were 1924 - 1941, and his total movie and TV career spanned 50+ years, 1924 - 1975.

Looking back at his career, his best are the six Mascot serials, WILD BOYS OF THE ROAD, and voicing "Lampwick" in Disney's PINOCCHIO.

My personal favorites are the Mascots. And did I mention that Frankie did jockey roles?

(Courtesy of John Gloske)
John Gloske and Darro in Frankie's room at
the St. Francis Hotel in Hollywood circa 1972.

John Gloske was friends with Darro during the last 4-5 years of Frankie's life and authored TOUGH KID: THE LIFE AND FILMS OF FRANKIE DARRO. John's book is at: http://frankiedarrobook.com/1.html

And his website includes some Darro photos, posters and lobby cards: http://frankiedarrobook.com/2.html.

I asked John if he could confirm some information and provide more details on Frankie's later years.

John writes:

"Frankie Darro, whose real name was Frank Johnson, Jr., was born December 22, 1917 in Chicago, Illinois. Frankie was literally born into show business as his parents were aerialists with the popular Sells-Floto Circus. Frankie's father got his young son his first role in movies when Frankie was just six years old. The film was JUDGEMENT OF THE STORM released in 1924.

Chiefly remembered today for his numerous jockey roles, Frankie appeared throughout his career in westerns. Between 1925 and 1929 Frankie co-starred in westerns for F. B. O. His co-star in the series was B-Western stalwart Tom Tyler. Frankie also appeared in western themed serials such as LIGHTNING WARRIOR (1931) and DEVIL HORSE (1932) starring Harry Carey. Frankie loved making westerns, especially as a child, because they were filmed outside and many on location. His love for horses is clearly evident in many of his early films. As a young adult, Frankie appeared in two western serials, the classic THE PHANTOM EMPIRE (1935) co-starring Gene Autry and THE GREAT ADVENTURES OF WILD BILL HICKOK (1938).

After returning from duty in the Navy during World War II, Frankie found it more and more difficult to find substantial roles in movies. With less and less work on the horizon, he turned more and more to drinking to pass the time of unemployment. The roles became smaller, mostly jockey roles, but a fair amount of roles in westerns too. Frankie appeared in WYOMING MAIL and SONS OF NEW MEXICO both released in 1950. The following year he had smaller roles in ACROSS THE WIDE MISSOURI and WESTWARD THE WOMEN. With the advent of television, Frankie had substantial roles on such popular shows as JUDGE ROY BEAN and BAT MASTERSON.

By the 1970's Frankie was destitute and living in a run down hotel on Hollywood Blvd. I met and befriended Frankie in June of 1972. His days of stardom had long since passed as he had been virtually forgotten by Hollywood. Even during this difficult period, Frankie remained optimistic and grateful for the career he once had. He loved telling stories about his days of stardom, but he was always careful never to say an unkind word about anyone.

Frankie was married at least twice. First to bit actress Aloha Wray in 1939. They divorced in 1941. In 1943 he married Betty Morrow, and that marriage lasted until 1951 and produced Frankie's only child, Darlene. Shortly after his divorce he moved in with Dorothy Carroll. Frankie would introduce her as his wife, however Frankie's daughter did extensive research and was never able to prove they actually married. Dorothy stayed with Frankie until he passed away.

Frankie had fond memories of working with Gene Autry in THE PHANTOM EMPIRE. As it was Autry's second film and his first starring role, Autry was apprehensive about the assignment. Frankie was the veteran of the leading players and coached Autry on the fine points of film acting. Autry was very grateful for the help. Autry hired Frankie for THE SONS OF NEW MEXICO in 1950. By this time Frankie was drinking heavily and it was not a pleasant experience, but Frankie turns in a fine performance in the finished film.

Frankie and Mantan Moreland were very close. Moreland suggested the name for Frankie's daughter. Frankie respected Mantan's talent and understood how important he was to the success of the films they did together. I had the pleasure of meeting Mantan a few times, and he spoke just as highly about Frankie. Frankie was an honorary pallbearer at Mantan's funeral in 1973.

Frankie died of a heart attack on December 25, 1976.

With easy access to many of his western and non-western movies on DVD, Frankie can still entertain us with his boundless energy and suburb acting skills. Search out his films, they are worth rediscovering."

John Gloske
July, 2009


As to Frankie being fired from FORBIDDEN PLANET (MGM, 1956): "Frankie was fired, it's open for discussion whether it was due to drink or the heat inside the robot. I'm almost certain it was due to drink."

John Gloske
June, 2025