Monogram Pictures Corporation was an American film studio that produced mostly low-budget films between 1931 and 1953, when the firm completed a transition to the name Allied Artists Pictures Corporation. Monogram was among the smaller studios in the golden age of Hollywood, generally referred to collectively as Poverty Row. Lacking the financial resources to deliver the lavish sets, production values, and star power of the larger studios, Monogram sought to attract its audiences with the promise of action and adventure.
Frankie Darro was an American actor and later in his career a stuntman. He began his career as a child actor in silent films, progressed to lead roles and co-starring roles in adventure, western, dramatic, and comedy films, and later became a character actor and voice-over artist. He is perhaps best known for his role as Lampwick, the unlucky boy who turns into a donkey in Walt Disney's second animated feature, Pinocchio (1940). In early credits, his last name was spelled Darrow.
Tom Tyler was an American actor known for his leading roles in low-budget Western films in the silent and sound eras, and for his portrayal of superhero Captain Marvel in the 1941 serial film The Adventures of Captain Marvel. Tyler also played Kharis in 1940's The Mummy's Hand, a popular Universal Studios monster film.
The Phantom Empire is a 1935 American Western serial film directed by Otto Brower and B. Reeves Eason and starring Gene Autry, Frankie Darro, and Betsy King Ross. This 12-chapter Mascot Pictures serial combined the Western, musical and science-fiction genres. The first episode is 30 minutes, the rest about 20 minutes. The serial film is about a singing cowboy who stumbles upon an ancient subterranean civilization living beneath his own ranch that becomes corrupted by unscrupulous greedy speculators from the surface. In 1940, a 70-minute feature film edited from the serial was released under the titles Radio Ranch or Men with Steel Faces. This was Gene Autry's first starring role, playing himself as a singing cowboy. It is considered to be the first science-fiction Western.
LeRoy Franklin Mason was an American film actor who worked primarily in Westerns in both the silent and sound film eras. Mason was born in Larimore, North Dakota, on July 2, 1903.
Nat Levine, was an American film producer. He produced 105 films between 1921 and 1946. Born in New York City, he entered the film industry as an accountant for Metro Pictures and became personal secretary to Metro head Marcus Loew.
The Cowboy Cop is a 1926 American silent Western romance film produced by Robertson-Cole and released through Film Booking Offices of America, better known as FBO. The young female lead is played by Jean Arthur.
Vacation Days is a 1947 American Western musical film directed by Arthur Dreifuss and starring Freddie Stewart, June Preisser, and Frankie Darro. It is part of The Teen Agers series.
Sarge Goes to College is a 1947 American musical comedy film directed by Will Jason and starring Freddie Stewart, June Preisser and Frankie Darro. It was produced and distributed by Monogram Pictures as part of The Teen Agers series.
Red Hot Hoofs is a 1926 American silent Western film directed by Robert De Lacey and starring Tom Tyler, Frankie Darro and Dorothy Dunbar.
The Arizona Streak is a 1926 American silent Western film directed by Robert De Lacey and starring Tom Tyler, Frankie Darro, and Ada Mae Vaughn.
Wild to Go is a 1926 American silent Western film directed by Robert De Lacey and starring Tom Tyler, Frankie Darro and Eugenia Gilbert.
The Cowboy Musketeer is a 1925 American silent Western film directed by Robert De Lacey and starring Tom Tyler, Frankie Darro, and David Dunbar. In the film, a cowboy helps a woman find the hidden gold mine she has inherited from her father before others can get their hands on it.
The Flying U Ranch is a 1927 American silent Western film directed by Robert De Lacey and starring Tom Tyler, Nora Lane and Bert Hadley.
The Wyoming Wildcat is a 1925 American silent Western film directed by Robert De Lacey and starring Tom Tyler, Billie Bennett, and Frankie Darro.
Let's Go, Gallagher is a 1925 American silent Western film directed by Robert De Lacey and starring Tom Tyler, Barbara Starr, and Olin Francis.
Tom and His Pals is a 1926 American silent Western film directed by Robert De Lacey and starring Tom Tyler, Doris Hill and Frankie Darro. It was released in Britain under the alternative title of Movie Struck.
The Avenging Rider is a 1928 American silent Western film directed by Wallace Fox and starring Tom Tyler, Florence Allen and Frankie Darro.
Born to Fight is a 1936 American drama film directed by Charles Hutchison from a screenplay by Stephen Norris, based on the short story, "To Him Who Dares" by Peter B. Kyne. The film stars Frankie Darro, Kane Richmond, and Jack LaRue.
Wild Horse Range is a 1940 American Western film written by Carl Krusada from a story by Tom Gibson. It was directed by Raymond K. Johnson, and stars Jack Randall.
