Frank Shannon
Acting
Biography
Frank Shannon was an Irish-born stage and screen performer. He had his film debut in The Prisoner of Zenda (1913). He is most fondly remembered as the brilliant Dr. Zarkov in the three Flash Gordon serials.
Born: July 27, 1874
Place of Birth: Ireland
Known For
Flash Gordon: The Deadly Ray From Mars
End of the Trail
In this western, a Spanish-American war veteran cannot find gainful employment. In desperation, he becomes a cattle rustler until he can get back on his feet. Just as he is ready to go straight, his girlfriend's younger brother is shot.
A Burglar to the Rescue
He is working on the books to cover his crimes, when a visitor arrives with a gun. In the conversation that ensues, it is revealed that the visitor is an escaped convict that was a former employee of the bank. He was railroaded to prison to cover the crooked banker's crime. As with other entries in this series, there is a shadow projected every so often with a voice forecasting what is to come.
You Can't Take It with You
Alice, the only relatively normal member of the eccentric Sycamore family, falls in love with Tony Kirby, but his wealthy banker father and snobbish mother strongly disapprove of the match. When the Kirbys are invited to dinner to become better acquainted with their future in-laws, things don't turn out the way Alice had hoped.
Next Time I Marry
Heiress Nancy Crocker Fleming will only receive her inheritance if she marries a "plain American." Her late father was afraid a foreign gigolo would steal her heart and money. So Nancy pays Tony Anthony, working on a WPA road project, to marry, then divorce her. When Nancy inadvertently drives off with Tony's dog, Tony seemingly kidnaps her to retrieve the pooch, which leads to a cross-country race between the two to reach Reno and the divorce court since neither one wants to be the second to file papers.
The Prisoner of Shark Island
After healing the leg of the murderer John Wilkes Booth, responsible for the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, perpetrated on April 14, 1865, during a performance at Ford's Theatre in Washington; Dr. Samuel A. Mudd, considered part of the atrocious conspiracy, is sentenced to life imprisonment and sent to the sinister Shark Island Prison.
Union Pacific
One of the last bills signed by President Lincoln authorizes pushing the Union Pacific Railroad across the wilderness to California. But financial opportunist Asa Barrows hopes to profit from obstructing it. Chief troubleshooter Jeff Butler has his hands full fighting Barrows' agent, gambler Sid Campeau; Campeau's partner Dick Allen is Jeff's war buddy and rival suitor for engineer's daughter Molly Monahan. Who will survive the effort to push the railroad through at any cost?
'G' Men
James “Brick” Davis, a struggling attorney, owes his education to a mobster, but always has refused to get involved with the underworld. When a friend of his is gunned down by a notorious criminal, Brick decides to abandon the exercise of the law and join the Department of Justice to capture the murderer.
Road Gang
A crusading young reporter planning a series of articles about a corrupt politician is framed for a crime and sentenced to serve five years at a prison farm.
Rulers of the Sea
The struggle of a man to build a steam ship to take him across the Atlantic in spite of all setbacks, and his win against a crack sailing boat in the early 19th century.
Filmography
as Dr. Zarkov
as Dr. Hans Zarkov (archive footage)
as Dr. Zarkov
as Train Station Gateman (Uncredited)
as Prof. Davidson (uncredited)
as Professor Davidson
as Dr. Hayden
as Police Commissioner
as Senator (uncredited)
as McDowell
as Hammond
as Mr. O'Malley - Captain of the Nova Scotian (uncredited)
as Second Man with California Gold News
as Sweeney
as Sheriff
as Dr. Zarkov
as Construction Supervisor at Elevator
as Frank, the Bartender (uncredited)
as Kelsey (Uncredited)
as Inspector McTavish
as Captain McTavish
as Old Man (uncredited)
as Police Capt. McTavish
as Police Lieutenant (uncredited)
as Police Captain McTavish (uncredited)
as Dr. Alexis Zarkov
as Mac (uncredited)
as Captain McTavish
as Duke Slattery - Policeman with Warrant
as Dr. Alexis Zarkov
as Dr. Zarkov
as Dr. Hans Zarkov
as Minor Role (uncredited)
as Capt. McTavish
as Police Sergeant at Jail (Uncredited)
as Captain McTavish
as Desk Sergeant (uncredited)
as Sheriff Anderson
as Captain Stafford
as Dr. Hans Zarkov
as Chaplain (uncredited)
as Mr. Holt
as Detective Hewitt (uncredited)
as Dan O'Reilly
as Police Sergeant
as Mr. Farley
as Mike
as Agent Joe
as Police Chief at Lodge (uncredited)
as Prison Warden
as The Burglar, Holtz aka Jack Dunning
as Badger
as Judge Bradford
as Sir John Mansfield
as Terrence O'Malley
as Phil Rourke
as Detchard