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.
Watermelon Man is a 1970 American comedy film directed by Melvin Van Peebles and starring Godfrey Cambridge, Estelle Parsons, Howard Caine, D'Urville Martin, Kay Kimberley, Mantan Moreland, and Erin Moran. Written by Herman Raucher, it tells the story of an extremely bigoted 1960s-era white insurance salesman named Jeff Gerber, who wakes up one morning to find that he has become black. The premise for the film was inspired by Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis, and by John Howard Griffin's autobiographical Black Like Me.
Mantan Moreland was an American actor and comedian most popular in the 1930s and 1940s. He starred in numerous films. His daughter Marcella Moreland appeared as a child actress in several films.
King of the Zombies is a 1941 American zombie comedy film directed by Jean Yarbrough and starring Dick Purcell, Joan Woodbury, and Mantan Moreland. The film was produced by Monogram Pictures, and was typical of its B films produced by the Pine-Thomas team. Along with flying scenes, the use of zany characters and slapstick efforts were juxtaposed with a spy and zombie story.
Chasing Trouble is a 1940 American comedy-drama film directed by Howard Bretherton, from Monogram Pictures.
Irish Luck is a 1939 American comedy adventure film directed by Howard Bretherton.
Let's Go Collegiate is a 1941 American musical comedy film directed by Jean Yarbrough and produced by Monogram Pictures. It was released as Farewell to Fame in the United Kingdom.
Law of the Jungle is a 1942 American adventure film directed by Jean Yarbrough.
Revenge of the Zombies is a 1943 horror film directed by Steve Sekely, starring John Carradine and Gale Storm. Dr. Max Heinrich von Altermann, is a mad scientist working to create a race of living dead warriors for the Third Reich.
Up in the Air is a 1940 American comedy mystery film directed by Howard Bretherton and starring Frankie Darro, Marjorie Reynolds and Mantan Moreland. It was produced and released by Monogram Pictures. It was remade in 1945 as There Goes Kelly.
Katherine Warburton "Kay" Sutton was an American actress.
Twilight on the Trail is a 1941 American Western film directed by Howard Bretherton, written by J. Benton Cheney, Ellen Corby and Cecile Kramer, and starring William Boyd, Andy Clyde, Brad King, Wanda McKay, Jack Rockwell, Norman Willis and Robert Kent. It was released on September 29, 1941, by Paramount Pictures.
Tuxedo Junction is a 1941 American comedy film directed by Frank McDonald, written by Dorrell McGowan and Stuart E. McGowan, and starring the vaudeville comedy troupe the Weaver Brothers and Elviry, with Thurston Hall, Frankie Darro and Sally Payne. It was released on November 25, 1941, by Republic Pictures.
Laughing at Danger is a 1940 American crime film directed by Howard Bretherton and written by George Waggner and John W. Krafft. The film stars Frankie Darro, Joy Hodges, George F. Houston, Mantan Moreland, Kay Sutton and Guy Usher. The film was released on August 12, 1940, by Monogram Pictures.
On the Spot is a 1940 American comedy film directed by Howard Bretherton and written by George Waggner and Dorothy Davenport. The film stars Frankie Darro, Mary Kornman, Mantan Moreland, John St. Polis, Robert Warwick and Maxine Leslie. The film was released on June 11, 1940, by Monogram Pictures.
Hello, Sucker is a 1941 American comedy film directed by Edward F. Cline and written by Maurice Leo and Paul Gerard Smith. The film stars Hugh Herbert, Tom Brown, Peggy Moran, Lewis Howard, June Storey, Walter Catlett and Robert Emmett Keane. The film was released on July 11, 1941, by Universal Pictures.
Sign of the Wolf is a 1941 American adventure film directed by Howard Bretherton and written by Elizabeth Sutphin and Edmond Kelso. The film stars Michael Whalen, Grace Bradley, Darryl Hickman, Mantan Moreland, Louise Beavers and Wade Crosby. The film was released on March 25, 1941, by Monogram Pictures.
Wanted by the Police is a 1938 American crime film directed by Howard Bretherton and written by Wellyn Totman. The film stars Frankie Darro, Evalyn Knapp, Robert Kent, Matty Fain, Lillian Elliott and Don Rowan. The film was released on September 21, 1938, by Monogram Pictures.
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.
