Skip to content
Franklin Pangborn

Personal Information

Known ForActing
GenderMale
Born / DiedJan 23, 1889 (Died at 69)
Zodiac Sign♒Aquarius
Place of BirthNewark, New Jersey, USA
Career Span1926 – 1958
Known Credits165 Titles
Official Links
ActingPopularity Score 0.6

Franklin Pangborn

Also known as:Joseph Franklin PangbornFranklyn PangbornFrank Pangborn
Total Works

165

160 movies • 5 shows

Avg Rating

6.5 / 10

across rated releases

Box Office

—

worldwide gross

Global Reach

#1

TMDB star index

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.

Signature Roles & Milestones

Sullivan's Travels
7.4
Sullivan's Travels
1941•movie
as Mr. Casalsis
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town
7.5
as The Tailor (uncredited)
My Man Godfrey
7.6
My Man Godfrey
1936•movie
as Guthrie (uncredited)
A Star Is Born
7.2
A Star Is Born
1937•movie
as Billy Moon (uncredited)

Full Filmography & Credits

Showing 165 titles featuring Franklin Pangborn

Sullivan's Travels
7.4
Sullivan's Travels
1941•movie

as Mr. Casalsis

Mr. Deeds Goes to Town
7.5

as The Tailor (uncredited)

My Man Godfrey
7.6
My Man Godfrey
1936•movie

as Guthrie (uncredited)

A Star Is Born
7.2
A Star Is Born
1937•movie

as Billy Moon (uncredited)

Now, Voyager
7.4
Now, Voyager
1942•movie

as Mr. Thompson

Design for Living
7.1
Design for Living
1933•movie

as Mr. Douglas

The Palm Beach Story
7.0

as Manager

Stage Door
7.2
Stage Door
1937•movie

as Harcourt

The Bank Dick
6.5
The Bank Dick
1940•movie

as J. Pinkerton Snoopington

Bluebeard's Eighth Wife
7.0

as Assistant Hotel Manager

Christmas in July
7.0
Christmas in July
1940•movie

as Don Hartman - Radio Announcer

Imitation of Life
7.0
Imitation of Life
1934•movie

as Mr. Carven (uncredited)

Hail the Conquering Hero
7.1

as Reception Committee Chairman

Flying Down to Rio
6.3
Flying Down to Rio
1933•movie

as Hammerstein (uncredited)

Vivacious Lady
7.0
Vivacious Lady
1938•movie

as Apartment Manager

Carefree
6.7
Carefree
1938•movie

as Roland Hunter

Easy Living
7.2
Easy Living
1937•movie

as Van Buren

Never Give a Sucker an Even Break
6.9

as The Producer

Romance on the High Seas
6.7

as Rio Hotel Clerk

The Sin of Harold Diddlebock
6.4

as Formfit Franklin

Topper Takes a Trip
6.6

as Louis - Hotel Manager

The Story of Mankind
4.4

as Marquis de Varennes

Three Smart Girls
6.5
Three Smart Girls
1936•movie

as Jeweler

The Flame of New Orleans
6.6

as Bellows

Fifth Avenue Girl
7.0
Fifth Avenue Girl
1939•movie

as Higgins

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm
6.8

as Hamilton Montmarcy

My Dream Is Yours
6.4
My Dream Is Yours
1949•movie

as Sourpuss Manager

The Great Moment
5.9
The Great Moment
1944•movie

as Dr. Heywood

Her Man
5.2
Her Man
1930•movie

as Sport

International House
5.7

as Hotel Manager

The Horn Blows at Midnight
5.9

as Radio Engineer / Sloan

Parachute Jumper
6.0
Parachute Jumper
1933•movie

as Man in Private Office (uncredited)

Stage Door Canteen
6.3
Stage Door Canteen
1943•movie

as Franklin Pangborn

George Washington Slept Here
6.5

as Mr. Gibney

The Mandarin Mystery
5.1

as Mellish

Four's a Crowd
5.6
Four's a Crowd
1938•movie

as Preston

Menu
5.4
Menu
1933•movie

as John Xavier Omsk (uncredited)

The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet
6.2
1 eps

as Mr. Canfield (uncredited)

It Happened in Hollywood
6.3

as Mr. Forsythe

Holy Matrimony
6.8
Holy Matrimony
1943•movie

as Duncan Farll

Bed of Roses
6.1
Bed of Roses
1933•movie

as Floorwalker

Turnabout
6.0
Turnabout
1940•movie

as Mr. Pingboom

$1,000 a Minute
5.8
$1,000 a Minute
1935•movie

as Reville

Wild Poses
7.4
Wild Poses
1933•movie

as Otto Phocus

Just Around the Corner
5.8

as Waters

The Half-Naked Truth
5.1

as Hotel Clerk

Swing High, Swing Low
5.3

as Henri

The Villain Still Pursued Her
5.2

as Bartender (uncredited)

The Colgate Comedy Hour
6.9
2 eps

as Self

This Is Your Life
6.5
1 eps
This Is Your Life
1952•series

as Self

Spring Parade
6.9
Spring Parade
1940•movie

as Wiedlemeyer

Calendar Girl
5.6
Calendar Girl
1947•movie

as Dilly Dillingsworth

Hollywood and Vine
4.4
Hollywood and Vine
1945•movie

as Reggie

The Girl Downstairs
4.7

as Adolf Pumpfel

Hollywood Victory Caravan
5.6

as Railroad Agent

Not So Dumb
5.3
Not So Dumb
1930•movie

as Leach

Young and Beautiful
4.8

as Radio Announcer

Two Guys from Milwaukee
4.9

as Theatre Manager

Sing, Bing, Sing
5.4
Sing, Bing, Sing
1933•movie

as Herbert

A Blonde for a Night
5.7

as Hector

Sweepings
5.8
Sweepings
1933•movie

as Photographer (Uncredited)

Always Goodbye
7.2
Always Goodbye
1938•movie

as Bicycle Salesman

Joy of Living
5.9
Joy of Living
1938•movie

as Orchestra Leader

Living on Love
6.1
Living on Love
1937•movie

as Ogilvie O. Oglethorpe

Exit Smiling
7.9
Exit Smiling
1926•movie

as Cecil Lovelace

Lady of the Pavements
5.2

as M'sieu Dubrey, Dance Master

Manhattan Love Song
5.7

as Garrett Wetherby

All Over Town
6.4
All Over Town
1937•movie

as The Costumer

Three Blind Mice
6.1
Three Blind Mice
1938•movie

as Clerk

Dangerous Number
4.9
Dangerous Number
1937•movie

as Hotel Desk Clerk

Only Yesterday
7.1
Only Yesterday
1933•movie

as Tom (Uncredited)

Reveille with Beverly
7.5

as Vernon Lewis (uncredited)

Cockeyed Cavaliers
5.8
Cockeyed Cavaliers
1934•movie

as Town Crier

A Girl, a Guy, and a Gob
5.5

as Pet Shop Owner

Flirtation
5.6
Flirtation
1934•movie

as Veterinarian

Over the Counter
4.7
Over the Counter
1932•movie

as Drake's Assistant

Headline Shooter
6.3
Headline Shooter
1933•movie

as Adolphus G. Crocker

Tonight Starring Jack Paar
7.5
5 eps

as Self - Announcer

King Kelly of the U.S.A.
5.2

as J. Ashton Brockton

I'll Be Yours
6.2
I'll Be Yours
1947•movie

as Barber

Blue of the Night
5.8
Blue of the Night
1931•movie

as Gilbert Sinclair

Broadway Serenade
6.6
Broadway Serenade
1939•movie

as Gene, Collier's Composer

Danger – Love at Work
7.0

as Train dining car headwaiter

Professional Sweetheart
6.0

as Herbert

It's All Yours
5.4
It's All Yours
1937•movie

as Schultz

A Woman of Experience
6.2

as Hans

The Life of the Party
6.2

as Beggs

Hit Parade of 1941
6.2
Hit Parade of 1941
1940•movie

as Carter

Sunny
6.3
Sunny
1930•movie

as Party Guest (uncredited)

College Rhythm
5.6
College Rhythm
1934•movie

as Peabody

Public Deb No. 1
4.9
Public Deb No. 1
1940•movie

as Bartender

She Had to Eat
5.6
She Had to Eat
1937•movie

as Mr. Phoecian-Wylie

Step Lively, Jeeves!
6.0

as Head Waiter

The Headline Woman
4.6
The Headline Woman
1935•movie

as Hamilton

The Loud Mouth
6.8
The Loud Mouth
1932•movie
Cradle Snatchers
3.8
Cradle Snatchers
1927•movie

as Howard Drake

Hats Off
5.0
Hats Off
1936•movie

as Mr. Churchill

High Hat
5.8
High Hat
1937•movie

as Renaldo Breton

Lover Come Back
7.1
Lover Come Back
1946•movie

as Hotel desk clerk

Weekend for Three
6.8
Weekend for Three
1941•movie

as Number Seven, Old Field Inn Waiter

A Lady Surrenders
4.5
A Lady Surrenders
1930•movie

as Lawton

Getting Gertie's Garter
8.0

as Algy Brooks

We Have Our Moments
7.1

as Joe (uncredited)

Moonlight Masquerade
6.2

as Fairchild

Love on Toast
5.8
Love on Toast
1937•movie

as Finley

Where Did You Get That Girl?
6.0

as Digby

Unknown Blonde
3.2
Unknown Blonde
1934•movie

as Male Co-Respondent

6.8

as the Cloud Painter (voice)

Crazy House
6.0
Crazy House
1943•movie

as Hotel Clerk

Many Happy Returns
5.3
Many Happy Returns
1934•movie

as Allen's Secretary

Strictly Dynamite
6.5
Strictly Dynamite
1934•movie

as Mr. Bailey

A Fool's Advice
6.7
A Fool's Advice
1932•movie

as Egbert - Hotel Clerk

Obliging Young Lady
6.0

as Professor Gibney

Jimmy's New Yacht
4.0
Jimmy's New Yacht
1932•movie

as Everett

Dangerous Holiday
5.3
Dangerous Holiday
1937•movie

as Doffle

You Came Along
7.3
You Came Along
1945•movie

as Hotel Clerk

Call Out the Marines
5.7

as Wilbur

I'll Take Romance
6.3
I'll Take Romance
1937•movie

as Kane's Secretary

She Married Her Boss
7.3

as Window Dresser (uncredited)

What's Cookin'?
7.0
What's Cookin'?
1942•movie

as Professor Bistell

My Grandfather's Clock
8.0

as Dr. Watkins

To Mary - with Love
5.7

as Guest

See My Lawyer
7.3
See My Lawyer
1945•movie

as B.J. Wagonhorn

She Couldn't Take It
5.3

as Spot's Secretary

My Friend from India
7.5

as William / Tommy Valentine

She's Dangerous
7.0
She's Dangerous
1937•movie

as Fashion Designer

Rich Relations
5.5
Rich Relations
1937•movie

as Mr. Dwight

Doctor Rhythm
7.5
Doctor Rhythm
1938•movie

as Mr. Stenchfield (Store Clerk)

The Important Witness
7.5

as Groom

Going Hollywood: The '30s
9.0

as (archive footage)

What Price Taxi
5.0
What Price Taxi
1932•movie

as Taxi Boy

Eight Bells
6.5
Eight Bells
1935•movie

as Finch

Mr. District Attorney in the Carter Case
7.5

as Charley Towne

Give Us This Night
7.0
Give Us This Night
1936•movie

as Forcellini's Secretary

Never a Dull Moment
7.0

as Sylvester

Honeymoon Lodge
6.5
Honeymoon Lodge
1943•movie

as Cathcart

Poor Aubrey
6.0
Poor Aubrey
1930•movie

as Aubrey Piper

On Trial
7.0
On Trial
1928•movie

as Turnbull

Thrill of a Lifetime
7.0

as Sam Williams

Swing Banditry
7.0
Swing Banditry
1936•movie

as Radio Announcer (uncredited)

Two Weeks to Live
4.5
Two Weeks to Live
1943•movie

as Mr. Pinkney

The Luckiest Girl in the World
7.2

as Cashier

Turn Off the Moon
8.0
Turn Off the Moon
1937•movie

as Mr. Perkins

Tillie the Toiler
8.0
Tillie the Toiler
1941•movie

as Perry Tweedale

Tomorrow's Youth
10.0
Tomorrow's Youth
1934•movie

as Thornton

Tell It to a Star
10.0
Tell It to a Star
1945•movie

as Horace Lovelace

Cheer Up and Smile
10.0
Cheer Up and Smile
1930•movie

as Professor

She Married an Artist
10.0

as Paul

Doughnuts and Society
8.0

as Benson

The Sap
10.0
The Sap
1929•movie

as Ed Mason

The Lady Escapes
7.0
The Lady Escapes
1937•movie

as Pierre

My Best Gal
9.0
My Best Gal
1944•movie

as Mr. Porter

When Love Is Young
10.0
When Love Is Young
1937•movie

as John Dorman

Next Door Neighbors
10.0

as Landlord

Don't Gamble with Love
10.0

as Salesman

The Girl in the Pullman
10.0

as Hector Brooks

Bachelor Daddy
8.0
Bachelor Daddy
1941•movie

as Williams

Reckless Age
9.0
Reckless Age
1944•movie

as Mr. Thurtle

Finger Prints
7.0
Finger Prints
1927•movie

as The Bandoline Kid

Screen Snapshots Series 18, No. 8
4.0

as Franklin Pangborn

Strictly in the Groove
9.0

as Cathcart

Down Memory Lane
7.0
Down Memory Lane
1949•movie

as Gilbert Sinclair

The Rejuvenation of Aunt Mary
9.0

as Melville

Lighthouse Love
Lighthouse Love
1932•movie

as Pvt. Jerry Stone

Revlon Mirror Theatre
1 eps