In Remembrance: Frankie Thomas

     Frankie Thomas, the 1930s juvenile actor who appeared in the classic Boys Town (1938) and the Nancy Drew mystery series as well as starring in the 1950s television series Tom Corbett, Space Cadet, has passed away on May 11, 2006 in Sherman Oaks, CA. He was 85.

     Born Frank M. Thomas on April 9, 1921 in New York City, Thomas established himself on Broadway before he was in his teens. Following his appearance in the drama Wednesday’s Child, Thomas moved to Hollywood to star in the 1934 film adaptation of the play being filmed at RKO Studios. Thomas’ parents, Frank M. Thomas and Mona Bruns, both seasoned stage actors, made their film debuts in the picture also, in small supporting roles.

     Liking what they saw in the young actor, RKO studio heads cast Thomas in the lead of the 1935 sentimental drama A Dog Of Flanders. Two years later, Thomas appeared in the title role of the 12-part adventure serial Tim Tyler’s Luck, based on the comic strip by Lyman Young. Although the story had Thomas’ character searching the African jungles to find his lost father, the film was actually shot on the Universal Studios lot. In between his early film assignments Thomas would return to New York and appear in plays such as Remember The Day, Seen But Not Heard and Your Loving Son.

     Thomas’ busiest time in Hollywood came between 1938 and 1939, bouncing from studio to studio. He appeared in the classic Boys Town at MGM Studios, teamed with the Dead End Kids for two films at Warner Brothers (Angels Wash Their Faces and On Dress Parade, both 1939) and appeared twice with the Dead End Kids knockoff troop Little Tough Guys for a pair of films at Universal (Little Tough Guys in Society (1938) and Code Of The Streets (1939)). Thomas also appeared in all four Nancy Drew mysteries produced by Warner Brothers (Nancy Drew- Detective (1938), Nancy Drew… Reporter, Nancy Drew… Trouble Shooter and Nancy Drew And The Hidden Staircase (all 1939)) as Nancy’s (Bonita Granville) loyal boyfriend Ted Nickerson.

     Thomas also appeared in such films as the dramas One Foot In Heaven (1941) and Always In My Heart (1942). In 1942, Thomas appeared in what would be his last film, the comedy The Major And The Minor. Soon afterwards he served in both the Navy and the Coast Guard during World War II. Following the war, Thomas relocated to New York City, working in radio and television. He appeared in recurring roles in two early soap operas, One Man’s Family and A Woman To Remember.

     In 1950, Thomas was cast in the title role of the children’s science-fiction adventure television series Tom Corbett, Space Cadet. The show aired three 15-minute episodes a week and was a success not only with children but with adults, too.

     After the series ended in 1955, Thomas turned from acting to writing for television and radio. He also became interested in bridge, playing on a tournament circuit and teaching the card game for many years. He also served as an editor of the American Bridge Teachers’ Association Quarterly Magazine. Thomas also wrote several novels and short story collections featuring Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic Sherlock Holmes character.