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.
Acted in 161
1980s
- 1984
Going Hollywood: The '30s
(archive footage)
1950s
- 1957
The Story of Mankind
Marquis de Varennes
- 1953
Revlon Mirror Theatre
TV
- 1952
1940s
- 1949
Down Memory Lane
Gilbert Sinclair
- 1948
- 1947
I'll Be Yours
Barber
Calendar Girl
Dilly Dillingsworth
- 1946
Two Guys from Milwaukee
Theatre Manager
Lover Come Back
Hotel desk clerk
- 1945
Hollywood Victory Caravan
Railroad Agent
Tell It to a Star
Horace Lovelace
You Came Along
Hotel Clerk
Hollywood and Vine
Reggie
See My Lawyer
B.J. Wagonhorn
- 1944
Hail the Conquering Hero
Reception Committee Chairman
Reckless Age
Mr. Thurtle
The Great Moment
Dr. Heywood
My Best Gal
Mr. Porter
- 1943
Never a Dull Moment
Sylvester
Crazy House
Hotel Clerk
Holy Matrimony
Duncan Farll
Honeymoon Lodge
Cathcart
Two Weeks to Live
Mr. Pinkney
Reveille with Beverly
Vernon Lewis (uncredited)
- 1942
Strictly in the Groove
Cathcart
George Washington Slept Here
Mr. Gibney
Moonlight Masquerade
Fairchild
Obliging Young Lady
Professor Gibney
What's Cookin'?
Professor Bistell
Call Out the Marines
Wilbur
- 1941
Mr. District Attorney in the Carter Case
Charley Towne
Weekend for Three
Number Seven, Old Field Inn Waiter
Sullivan's Travels
Mr. Casalsis
Never Give a Sucker an Even Break
The Producer
Tillie the Toiler
Perry Tweedale
The Flame of New Orleans
Bellows
A Girl, a Guy, and a Gob
Pet Shop Owner
Where Did You Get That Girl?
Digby
- 1940
The Bank Dick
J. Pinkerton Snoopington
Christmas in July
Don Hartman - Radio Announcer
Hit Parade of 1941
Carter
Spring Parade
Wiedlemeyer
Public Deb No. 1
Bartender
Turnabout
Mr. Pingboom
1930s
- 1939
Screen Snapshots Series 18, No. 8
Franklin Pangborn
Broadway Serenade
Gene, Collier's Composer
- 1938
Topper Takes a Trip
Louis - Hotel Manager
The Girl Downstairs
Adolf Pumpfel
Just Around the Corner
Waters
Carefree
Roland Hunter
Four's a Crowd
Preston
Always Goodbye
Bicycle Salesman
Three Blind Mice
Clerk
Joy of Living
Orchestra Leader
- 1937
Love on Toast
Finley
Thrill of a Lifetime
Sam Williams
She Married an Artist
Paul
I'll Take Romance
Kane's Secretary
Living on Love
Ogilvie O. Oglethorpe
Stage Door
Harcourt
Danger – Love at Work
Train dining car headwaiter
It Happened in Hollywood
Mr. Forsythe
The Life of the Party
Beggs
It's All Yours
Schultz
All Over Town
The Costumer
The Lady Escapes
Pierre
She Had to Eat
Mr. Phoecian-Wylie
Step Lively, Jeeves!
Head Waiter
Dangerous Holiday
Doffle
Turn Off the Moon
Mr. Perkins
We Have Our Moments
Joe (uncredited)
When Love Is Young
John Dorman
Rich Relations
Mr. Dwight
Dangerous Number
Hotel Desk Clerk
High Hat
Renaldo Breton
- 1936
The Mandarin Mystery
Mellish
Three Smart Girls
Jeweler
Hats Off
Mr. Churchill
The Luckiest Girl in the World
Cashier
Swing Banditry
Radio Announcer (uncredited)
To Mary - with Love
Guest
Doughnuts and Society
Benson
Give Us This Night
Forcellini's Secretary
Don't Gamble with Love
Salesman
- 1935
$1,000 a Minute
Reville
She Couldn't Take It
Spot's Secretary
She Married Her Boss
Window Dresser (uncredited), Window Dresser
The Headline Woman
Hamilton
Eight Bells
Finch
- 1934
College Rhythm
Peabody
Imitation of Life
Mr. Carven (uncredited)
Flirtation
Veterinarian
My Grandfather's Clock
Dr. Watkins
Tomorrow's Youth
Thornton
King Kelly of the U.S.A.
J. Ashton Brockton
Many Happy Returns
Allen's Secretary
Strictly Dynamite
Mr. Bailey
Manhattan Love Song
Garrett Wetherby
Unknown Blonde
Male Co-Respondent
- 1933
Design for Living
Mr. Douglas
Only Yesterday
Tom (Uncredited)
Wild Poses
Otto Phocus
Menu
John Xavier Omsk (uncredited)
Headline Shooter
Adolphus G. Crocker
The Important Witness
Groom
Bed of Roses
Floorwalker
Professional Sweetheart
Herbert
International House
Hotel Manager
Sweepings
Photographer (Uncredited)
Sing, Bing, Sing
Herbert
- 1932
The Half-Naked Truth
Hotel Clerk
Over the Counter
Drake's Assistant
What Price Taxi
Taxi Boy
The Loud Mouth
Movie
Jimmy's New Yacht
Everett
A Fool's Advice
Egbert - Hotel Clerk
- 1931
Blue of the Night
Gilbert Sinclair
A Woman of Experience
Hans
Next Door Neighbors
Landlord
- 1930
Sunny
Party Guest (uncredited)
A Lady Surrenders
Lawton
Her Man
Sport
Cheer Up and Smile
Professor
Not So Dumb
Leach
Poor Aubrey
Aubrey Piper
1920s
- 1929
The Sap
Ed Mason
Lady of the Pavements
M'sieu Dubrey, Dance Master
- 1928
On Trial
Turnbull
A Blonde for a Night
Hector
- 1927
My Friend from India
William / Tommy Valentine
The Girl in the Pullman
Hector Brooks
The Rejuvenation of Aunt Mary
Melville
Cradle Snatchers
Howard Drake
Getting Gertie's Garter
Algy Brooks
Finger Prints
The Bandoline Kid
- 1926
Exit Smiling
Cecil Lovelace
