Frank Craven
Encyclopedia
Frank Craven was an American stage and film actor, playwright, and screenwriter, best known for originating the role of the Stage Manager in Thornton Wilder
's Our Town
.
Craven was a character actor who often portrayed wry, small-town figures. His first film role was in "We Americans" (1928), and he appeared in State Fair (1933), Penrod and Sam (1937), Jack London
(1943), and Son of Dracula
(1943), among many others. He wrote numerous screenplays, most notably for the Laurel and Hardy
film Sons of the Desert
(1933).
In 1938, Craven played the Stage Manager in Our Town
on Broadway
, and reprised the role in the 1940 film version of the play. His son John Craven
also starred as George Gibbs.
Craven died in 1945, shortly after finishing his last film, Colonel Effingham's Raid
.
Thornton Wilder
Thornton Niven Wilder was an American playwright and novelist. He received three Pulitzer Prizes, one for his novel The Bridge of San Luis Rey and two for his plays Our Town and The Skin of Our Teeth, and a National Book Award for his novel The Eighth Day.-Early years:Wilder was born in Madison,...
's Our Town
Our Town
Our Town is a three-act play by American playwright Thornton Wilder. It is a character story about an average town's citizens in the early twentieth century as depicted through their everyday lives...
.
Craven was a character actor who often portrayed wry, small-town figures. His first film role was in "We Americans" (1928), and he appeared in State Fair (1933), Penrod and Sam (1937), Jack London
Jack London (1943 film)
Jack London, also known as The Story of Jack London, is a 1943 American biographical film made by Samuel Bronston Productions and distributed by United Artists. It was directed by Alfred Santell and produced by Samuel Bronston with Joseph H...
(1943), and Son of Dracula
Son of Dracula (1943 film)
Son of Dracula is a 1943 American horror film directed by Robert Siodmak - his first film for Universal studios - with a screenplay based on an original story by his brother Curt. The film stars Lon Chaney, Jr. and his frequent co-star Evelyn Ankers. Notably it is the first film where a vampire...
(1943), among many others. He wrote numerous screenplays, most notably for the Laurel and Hardy
Laurel and Hardy
Laurel and Hardy were one of the most popular and critically acclaimed comedy double acts of the early Classical Hollywood era of American cinema...
film Sons of the Desert
Sons of the Desert
Sons of the Desert is a 1933 American film starring Laurel and Hardy, and directed by William A. Seiter. It was first released in the United States on December 29, 1933 and is regarded as one of Laurel and Hardy's greatest films...
(1933).
In 1938, Craven played the Stage Manager in Our Town
Our Town
Our Town is a three-act play by American playwright Thornton Wilder. It is a character story about an average town's citizens in the early twentieth century as depicted through their everyday lives...
on Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
, and reprised the role in the 1940 film version of the play. His son John Craven
John Craven (actor)
John Craven was an American actor, and the son of noted character actor Frank Craven. He appeared in almost 50 films, numerous plays, and many TV roles, but was best remembered for originating the role of George Gibbs in the original stage version of Our Town, where his father played the role of...
also starred as George Gibbs.
Craven died in 1945, shortly after finishing his last film, Colonel Effingham's Raid
Colonel Effingham's Raid
Colonel Effingham's Raid is a 1946 comedy film made by 20th Century Fox, directed by Irving Pichel. The screenplay was written by Kathryn Scola, based on a novel by Berry Fleming. The music score is by Cyril J. Mockridge...
.