Franklyn Farnum

Born:June 5, 1878

Place of Birth:Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Died:July 4, 1961

Known For:Acting

Biography

Franklyn Farnum, a versatile and enduring presence in the early days of Hollywood, made his mark as a leading man in silent films during the 1920s. As the era transitioned into "talkies," Farnum gracefully shifted gears to become a sought-after character actor, showcasing his range and adaptability on the silver screen. Known for his magnetic on-screen presence and ability to inhabit a variety of roles, Farnum's talent and dedication to his craft solidified his reputation as a reliable and skilled performer.

Despite the changing landscape of the film industry, Farnum's passion for storytelling and performance never waned. In the later years of his career, he found a new niche as a paid extra, bringing depth and authenticity to countless films and television shows. His commitment to his work and his willingness to contribute to the magic of cinema in any capacity exemplified his enduring love for the art form.

Throughout his extensive career, Farnum's contributions to the entertainment industry were invaluable, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of audiences and fellow professionals alike. His ability to seamlessly transition between leading roles and character parts demonstrated his versatility and adaptability as an actor. Whether portraying a romantic hero or a supporting player, Farnum brought a level of professionalism and artistry to each role he undertook.

Beyond his on-screen accomplishments, Farnum's dedication to his craft and his commitment to his fellow performers set him apart in an industry known for its competitiveness and challenges. His willingness to take on any role, no matter how big or small, showcased his humility and his genuine love for the art of acting. Farnum's legacy as a consummate professional and a beloved figure in Hollywood endures to this day, a testament to his enduring impact on the world of film and television.

As a pioneer in the early days of cinema, Farnum's contributions to the evolution of the film industry cannot be overstated. His ability to navigate the transition from silent films to talkies with grace and skill speaks to his adaptability and resilience as an artist. By embracing new challenges and opportunities throughout his career, Farnum cemented his status as a true trailblazer in the world of entertainment.

In an industry known for its fleeting nature and ever-changing trends, Farnum's enduring presence and lasting impact serve as a reminder of the timeless power of storytelling and performance. His work continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the world, a testament to his enduring legacy as a beloved and respected figure in Hollywood history. Franklyn Farnum's contributions to the art of cinema will forever be treasured and celebrated, ensuring that his legacy lives on for generations to come.

Images

Filmography

Acting

Some Like It Hot

Party Guest (uncredited)

1959

Two musicians witness a mob hit and struggle to find a way out of the city before they are found by the gangsters. Their only opportunity is to join an all-girl band as they leave on a tour. To make their getaway they must first disguise themselves as women, then keep their identities secret and deal with the problems this brings - such as an attractive bandmate and a very determined suitor.

The Apartment

Office Worker (uncredited)

1960

Bud Baxter is a minor clerk in a huge New York insurance company, until he discovers a quick way to climb the corporate ladder. He lends out his apartment to the executives as a place to take their mistresses. Although he often has to deal with the aftermath of their visits, one night he's left with a major problem to solve.

Sunset Boulevard

Undertaker

1950

A hack screenwriter writes a screenplay for a former silent film star who has faded into Hollywood obscurity.

Stagecoach

Deputy Frank (uncredited)

1939

A group of people traveling on a stagecoach find their journey complicated by the threat of Geronimo, and learn something about each other in the process.

Witness for the Prosecution

Barrister (uncredited)

1957

An ailing famous barrister agrees to defend a man in a sensational murder trial where his self-possessed wife's unconvincing testimony confuses him.

East of Eden

Townsman at Carnival (uncredited)

1955

In the Salinas Valley in and around World War I, Cal Trask feels he must compete against overwhelming odds with his brother for the love of their father. Cal is frustrated at every turn, from his reaction to the war, how to get ahead in business and in life, and how to relate to his estranged mother.

Strangers on a Train

Party Guest (uncredited)

1951

Having met on a train, a smooth-talking psychotic socialite shares his theory on how two complete strangers can get away with murder to an amateur tennis player — a theory he plans to test out.

White Christmas

Club Patron (uncredited)

1954

Two talented song-and-dance men team up after the war to become one of the hottest acts in show business. In time they befriend and become romantically involved with the beautiful Haynes sisters who comprise a sister act.

All About Eve

Sarah Siddons Awards Guest (uncredited)

1950

From the moment she glimpses her idol at the stage door, Eve Harrington is determined to take the reins of power away from the great actress Margo Channing. Eve maneuvers her way into Margo's Broadway role, becomes a sensation and even causes turmoil in the lives of Margo's director boyfriend, her playwright and his wife. Only the cynical drama critic sees through Eve, admiring her audacity and perfect pattern of deceit.

The Killing

Racetrack Spectator (uncredited)

1956

Career criminal Johnny Clay recruits a sharpshooter, a crooked police officer, a bartender and a betting teller named George, among others, for one last job before he goes straight and gets married. But when George tells his restless wife about the scheme to steal millions from the racetrack where he works, she hatches a plot of her own.

An Affair to Remember

Ballet Audience Member (uncredited)

1957

A couple falls in love and agrees to meet in six months at the Empire State Building - but will it happen?

Guys and Dolls

Spectator at Hot Box Club (uncredited)

1955

Gambler Nathan Detroit has few options for the location of his big craps game. Needing $1,000 to pay a garage owner to host the game, Nathan bets Sky Masterson that Sky cannot get virtuous Sarah Brown out on a date. Despite some resistance, Sky negotiates a date with her in exchange for bringing people into her mission. Meanwhile, Nathan's longtime fiancée, Adelaide, wants him to go legit and marry her.

The Lost Weekend

Concert Attendee (uncredited)

1945

Don Birnam, a long-time alcoholic, has been sober for ten days and appears to be over the worst... but his craving has just become more insidious. Evading a country weekend planned by his brother and girlfriend, he begins a four-day bender that just might be his last - one way or another.

Around the World in Eighty Days

Extra (uncredited)

1956

Based on the famous book by Jules Verne the movie follows Phileas Fogg on his journey around the world. Which has to be completed within 80 days, a very short period for those days.

Monsieur Verdoux

Victim of the Stock Market Crash (uncredited)

1947

The film is about an unemployed banker, Henri Verdoux, and his sociopathic methods of attaining income. While being both loyal and competent in his work, Verdoux has been laid-off. To make money for his wife and child, he marries wealthy widows and then murders them. His crime spree eventually works against him when two particular widows break his normal routine.

The Greatest Show on Earth

Spectator (uncredited)

1952

To ensure a full profitable season, circus manager Brad Braden engages The Great Sebastian, though this moves his girlfriend Holly from her hard-won center trapeze spot. Holly and Sebastian begin a dangerous one-upmanship duel in the ring, while he pursues her on the ground.

You Only Live Once

Plainclothesman (uncredited)

1937

Based partially on the story of Bonnie and Clyde, Eddie Taylor is an ex-convict who cannot get a break after being released from prison. When he is framed for murder, Taylor is forced to flee with his wife Joan Graham and baby. While escaping prison after being sentenced to death, Taylor becomes a real murderer, condemning himself and Joan to a life of crime and death on the road.

The Lady Eve

Tailor in Montage (uncredited)

1941

It's no accident when wealthy Charles falls for Jean. Jean is a con artist with her sights set on Charles' fortune. Matters complicate when Jean starts falling for her mark. When Charles suspects Jean is a gold digger, he dumps her. Jean, fixated on revenge and still pining for the millionaire, devises a plan to get back in Charles' life. With love and payback on her mind, she re-introduces herself to Charles, this time as an aristocrat named Lady Eve Sidwich.

The Bad and the Beautiful

Assistant on Set (uncredited)

1952

Told in flashback form, the film traces the rise and fall of a tough, ambitious Hollywood producer, Jonathan Shields, as seen through the eyes of various acquaintances, including a writer, James Lee Bartlow; a star, Georgia Lorrison; and a director, Fred Amiel. He is a hard-driving, ambitious man who ruthlessly uses everyone on the way to becoming one of Hollywood's top movie makers.

Some Came Running

Passerby Outside Bar (uncredited)

1958

A former novelist returns to his small Midwest town after serving in the Army during WWII, to the chagrin of his social-climbing brother, and becomes close with an easy-going professional gambler and torn between two very different women.