Frank Wolff (actor)
Encyclopedia
Walter Frank Hermann Wolff (May 11, 1928 —December 12, 1971) was a versatile American actor whose prolific movie career began with roles in five 1958-61 Roger Corman
productions and ended a decade later in Rome, after scores of appearances in European-made films, most of which were lensed in Italy.
physician. The elder Wolff, a political and social maverick, encouraged young Frank to follow an unconventional path. Frank attended UCLA, where he studied acting and stagecraft
, wrote and directed plays and befriended another actor/director, Monte Hellman
. Between 1957 and 1961, he appeared in nearly twenty episodes of TV series and feature films, a few of which fit into the horror
/science fiction
genre.
. The former, a 1958 black-and-white gangster melodrama in which Wolff does not even receive a billing, was presented as a first-person narrative by the title character, Murder Incorporated (fictional) boss Joe Sante (Steve Cochran
). The latter, Wolff's first genre
film, was a typically campy horror, filmed in 1959, in which the owner of a cosmetics business (Susan Cabot
) becomes the titular monster after using one of her own experimental rejuvenating formulas. Wolff has a single, memorable scene.
Later in the year, however, Wolff's billing dramatically increased to co-lead status in his next two Corman productions, scripted by Charles B. Griffith
, Beast from Haunted Cave and Ski Troop Attack
. Shot back-to-back in the snowy wilderness outside Deadwood, South Dakota
, the films used the same crew and cast, which, in addition to Wolff, included Michael Forest
, Wally Campo, Richard Sinatra (Frank
's nephew) and Sheila Carol. The first of the two, Beast, directed for Corman by Wolff's UCLA friend, Monte Hellman, remains a well-remembered low-budget horror title, with a spider-like creature menacing a trio of robbers, led by Wolff, trapped in a ski lodge. In contrast, the equally poverty-budgeted Attack, on which Corman himself took over the directorial reins, turned out to be a little-noticed World War II quickie in which a quartet of GIs on skis slog through a snowbound landscape. The group's leader, a tall, stalwart lieutenant (Michael Forest), who played a similarly characterized forest ranger in Beast, is continually challenged by the disdainful sergeant (Wolff). Beast was first shown in October 1959, but eventually paired on a double bill with The Wasp Woman which, in line with the other films' Dakota
link, premiered in Bismarck, North Dakota
on February 12, 1960. The previous month, Wolff was seen in three TV appearances, The Untouchables
(January 7), The Lawless Years
(January 19) and Rawhide
(January 29). He also had the third-billed role of Baron, a nightclub owner who refuses to give another chance to alcoholic trumpet player Jack Klugman
in The Twilight Zone
episode "A Passage for Trumpet
", broadcast on May 20.
(released in May 1961). The title role was again assigned to the brawny Corman regular, Michael Forest, while the female lead went to Barboura Morris
who, between 1957 and 1967, worked exclusively for Corman, appearing in thirteen of his films, including The Wasp Woman. In Atlas, Wolff was cast as the treacherous King Praximedes, a scene-stealing lead villain who was singled out by the few critics who reviewed the film. Sporting a short beard, Praximedes was alternately charming, witty, overbearing and menacing.
On Corman's advice, Frank Wolff remained in Europe and became a well-known character actor in over fifty, mostly Italian-made, films of the 1960s, including crime/suspense "gialli" and spaghetti western
s. Early in his European career, he returned to Greece to essay a major, second-billed role in his most prestigious movie, the 1963 "Best Picture" Oscar
nominee America, America
, which producer-director-writer Elia Kazan
filmed on location. As Vartan Damadian, the Armenia
n friend of the central character, played by Stathis Giallelis
, a heavily-mustached Wolff assayed a complex, multi-layered personality.
Wolff's numerous Italian films of the 60s included The Four Days of Naples
, Salvatore Giuliano
, Death Took Place Last Night, The Great Silence
, God Forgives... I Don't!
, One Dollar Too Many
, and Once Upon a Time in the West
. He was also seen a few episodes of British-produced TV series, such as The Saint
and The Baron
.
Roger Corman
Roger William Corman is an American film producer, director and actor. He has mostly worked on low-budget B movies. Some of Corman's work has an established critical reputation, such as his cycle of films adapted from the tales of Edgar Allan Poe, and in 2009 he won an Honorary Academy Award for...
productions and ended a decade later in Rome, after scores of appearances in European-made films, most of which were lensed in Italy.
Early life
A native of San Francisco, Frank Wolff was the son of a Bay AreaSan Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay is a shallow, productive estuary through which water draining from approximately forty percent of California, flowing in the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers from the Sierra Nevada mountains, enters the Pacific Ocean...
physician. The elder Wolff, a political and social maverick, encouraged young Frank to follow an unconventional path. Frank attended UCLA, where he studied acting and stagecraft
Stagecraft
Stagecraft is a generic term referring to the technical aspects of theatrical, film, and video production. It includes, but is not limited to, constructing and rigging scenery, hanging and focusing of lighting, design and procurement of costumes, makeup, procurement of props, stage management, and...
, wrote and directed plays and befriended another actor/director, Monte Hellman
Monte Hellman
Monte Hellman is an American film director, producer, and film editor.Hellman is among a group of directing talent mentored by Roger Corman, who produced several of the director's early films...
. Between 1957 and 1961, he appeared in nearly twenty episodes of TV series and feature films, a few of which fit into the horror
Horror film
Horror films seek to elicit a negative emotional reaction from viewers by playing on the audience's most primal fears. They often feature scenes that startle the viewer through the means of macabre and the supernatural, thus frequently overlapping with the fantasy and science fiction genres...
/science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
genre.
Career with Roger Corman
Frank Wolff had bit roles in his first two films, Roger Corman's I Mobster and The Wasp WomanThe Wasp Woman
The Wasp Woman is a science fiction film produced and directed by Roger Corman which was completed in 1959...
. The former, a 1958 black-and-white gangster melodrama in which Wolff does not even receive a billing, was presented as a first-person narrative by the title character, Murder Incorporated (fictional) boss Joe Sante (Steve Cochran
Steve Cochran
Steve Cochran was an American film, television, and stage actor, the son of a California lumberman. He graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1939...
). The latter, Wolff's first genre
Genre
Genre , Greek: genos, γένος) is the term for any category of literature or other forms of art or culture, e.g. music, and in general, any type of discourse, whether written or spoken, audial or visual, based on some set of stylistic criteria. Genres are formed by conventions that change over time...
film, was a typically campy horror, filmed in 1959, in which the owner of a cosmetics business (Susan Cabot
Susan Cabot
-Early life:Born Harriet Shapiro to a Russian Jewish family in Boston, Massachusetts, Cabot's early life was one of turmoil, and she was raised in eight different foster homes. She completed her education in New York, New York, and found employment as an illustrator...
) becomes the titular monster after using one of her own experimental rejuvenating formulas. Wolff has a single, memorable scene.
Later in the year, however, Wolff's billing dramatically increased to co-lead status in his next two Corman productions, scripted by Charles B. Griffith
Charles B. Griffith
Charles B. Griffith was a Chicago-born screenwriter, son of Donna Dameral, radio star of Myrt and Marge...
, Beast from Haunted Cave and Ski Troop Attack
Ski Troop Attack
Ski Troop Attack is a 1960 American war film directed by Roger Corman.- Plot summary :A group of ski troopers behind German lines during World War II disrupts Nazi plans and blow up an important bridge.- Production :...
. Shot back-to-back in the snowy wilderness outside Deadwood, South Dakota
Deadwood, South Dakota
Deadwood is a city in South Dakota, United States, and the county seat of Lawrence County. It is named for the dead trees found in its gulch. The population was 1,270 according to a 2010 census...
, the films used the same crew and cast, which, in addition to Wolff, included Michael Forest
Michael Forest
Gerald Michael Charlebois, better known as Michael Forest is an American actor who provides the voices for many animated titles. At the age of 71, he provided the voice of Prince Olympius in Power Rangers: Lightspeed Rescue...
, Wally Campo, Richard Sinatra (Frank
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
's nephew) and Sheila Carol. The first of the two, Beast, directed for Corman by Wolff's UCLA friend, Monte Hellman, remains a well-remembered low-budget horror title, with a spider-like creature menacing a trio of robbers, led by Wolff, trapped in a ski lodge. In contrast, the equally poverty-budgeted Attack, on which Corman himself took over the directorial reins, turned out to be a little-noticed World War II quickie in which a quartet of GIs on skis slog through a snowbound landscape. The group's leader, a tall, stalwart lieutenant (Michael Forest), who played a similarly characterized forest ranger in Beast, is continually challenged by the disdainful sergeant (Wolff). Beast was first shown in October 1959, but eventually paired on a double bill with The Wasp Woman which, in line with the other films' Dakota
The Dakotas
The Dakotas is a collective term that refers to the U.S. states of North Dakota and South Dakota together. The term has been used historically to describe the Dakota Territory, and is continued to be used to describe the collective heritage, culture, geography, fauna, sociology, the economy, and...
link, premiered in Bismarck, North Dakota
Bismarck, North Dakota
Bismarck is the capital of the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Burleigh County. It is the second most populous city in North Dakota after Fargo. The city's population was 61,272 at the 2010 census, while its metropolitan population was 108,779...
on February 12, 1960. The previous month, Wolff was seen in three TV appearances, The Untouchables
The Untouchables (1959 TV series)
The Untouchables is an American crime drama that ran from 1959 to 1963 on ABC. Based on the memoir of the same name by Eliot Ness and Oscar Fraley, it fictionalized the experiences of Eliot Ness, a real-life Prohibition agent, as he fought crime in Chicago during the 1930s with the help of a...
(January 7), The Lawless Years
The Lawless Years
The Lawless Years is the first television crime drama set during the Roaring 20s, having predated ABC's far more successful The Untouchables with Robert Stack by six months. The 47-episode half-hour series aired nonconsecutively on NBC from April 16 to August 27, 1959, from October 1, 1959, to...
(January 19) and Rawhide
Rawhide (TV series)
Rawhide is an American Western series that aired for eight seasons on the CBS network on Friday nights, from January 9, 1959 to September 3, 1965, before moving to Tuesday nights from September 14, 1965 until January 4, 1966, with a total of 217 black-and-white episodes...
(January 29). He also had the third-billed role of Baron, a nightclub owner who refuses to give another chance to alcoholic trumpet player Jack Klugman
Jack Klugman
Jacob Joachim "Jack" Klugman is an American stage, film and television actor known for his roles in sitcoms, movies, and television and on Broadway...
in The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)
The Twilight Zone is an American anthology television series created by Rod Serling, which ran for five seasons on CBS from 1959 to 1964. The series consisted of unrelated episodes depicting paranormal, futuristic, dystopian, or simply disturbing events; each show typically featured a surprising...
episode "A Passage for Trumpet
A Passage for Trumpet
"A Passage for Trumpet" is an episode of the American television anthology series The Twilight Zone.- Synopsis :Waiting at the back door of a night club is Joey Crown, a down and out trumpet player. He hopes to see a former boss, Baron, to beg for a chance to work again...
", broadcast on May 20.
Moving to Europe
In autumn 1960, Frank Wolff traveled to Greece to co-star in another Roger Corman-directed, Charles B. Griffith-scripted low-budgeter, AtlasAtlas (film)
Atlas is a 1961 action-adventure film directed by Roger Corman, filmed in Greece....
(released in May 1961). The title role was again assigned to the brawny Corman regular, Michael Forest, while the female lead went to Barboura Morris
Barboura Morris
Barboura Morris was an American actor. She acted under some other names."The girl with the lovely smile," Barboura Morris was born in L.A., and went on to appear in many low-budget movies, such as A Bucket of Blood, American comedy horror film directed by Roger Corman. She graduated from UCLA...
who, between 1957 and 1967, worked exclusively for Corman, appearing in thirteen of his films, including The Wasp Woman. In Atlas, Wolff was cast as the treacherous King Praximedes, a scene-stealing lead villain who was singled out by the few critics who reviewed the film. Sporting a short beard, Praximedes was alternately charming, witty, overbearing and menacing.
On Corman's advice, Frank Wolff remained in Europe and became a well-known character actor in over fifty, mostly Italian-made, films of the 1960s, including crime/suspense "gialli" and spaghetti western
Spaghetti Western
Spaghetti Western, also known as Italo-Western, is a nickname for a broad sub-genre of Western films that emerged in the mid-1960s in the wake of Sergio Leone's unique and much copied film-making style and international box-office success, so named by American critics because most were produced and...
s. Early in his European career, he returned to Greece to essay a major, second-billed role in his most prestigious movie, the 1963 "Best Picture" Oscar
Academy Award for Best Picture
The Academy Award for Best Picture is one of the Academy Awards of Merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to artists working in the motion picture industry. The Best Picture category is the only category in which every member of the Academy is eligible not only...
nominee America, America
America, America
America, America is a 1963 American dramatic film directed, produced and written by Elia Kazan, from his own book.-Plot:...
, which producer-director-writer Elia Kazan
Elia Kazan
Elia Kazan was an American director and actor, described by the New York Times as "one of the most honored and influential directors in Broadway and Hollywood history". Born in Istanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Empire, to Greek parents originally from Kayseri in Anatolia, the family emigrated...
filmed on location. As Vartan Damadian, the Armenia
Armenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
n friend of the central character, played by Stathis Giallelis
Stathis Giallelis
Stathis Giallelis is a Greek actor who, in the early 1960s, won brief international renown as the star of Elia Kazan's Academy Award-nominated epic America, America, a role which brought him the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actor, as well as a nomination for Golden Globe Award for...
, a heavily-mustached Wolff assayed a complex, multi-layered personality.
Wolff's numerous Italian films of the 60s included The Four Days of Naples
The Four Days of Naples
The Four Days of Naples is a 1962 Italian film, directed by Nanni Loy and set during the uprising which gives its name. It stars Regina Bianchi, Aldo Giuffrè, Lea Massari, Jean Sorel, Franco Sportelli, Charles Belmont, Gian Maria Volonté and Frank Wolff....
, Salvatore Giuliano
Salvatore Giuliano (film)
Salvatore Giuliano is a 1962 Italian film directed by Francesco Rosi. Shot in a neo-realist documentary, non-linear style, it follows the lives of those involved with the famous Sicilian bandit, Salvatore Giuliano...
, Death Took Place Last Night, The Great Silence
The Great Silence
The Great Silence , or The Big Silence, is an Italian spaghetti western. It is widely considered by critics as the masterpiece of director Sergio Corbucci and is one of his better known movies, along with Django...
, God Forgives... I Don't!
God Forgives... I Don't!
God Forgives... I Don't! is 1967 spaghetti Western by Giuseppe Colizzi. The film is the first in a trilogy continued with Ace High and ended with Boot Hill.-Plot:...
, One Dollar Too Many
One Dollar Too Many
One Dollar Too Many is the American release title of I tre che sconvolsero il West, a 1968 Spaghetti Western feature film directed by Enzo G. Castellari and starring Antonio Sabato, John Saxon, andFrank Wolff...
, and Once Upon a Time in the West
Once Upon a Time in the West
Once Upon a Time in the West is a 1968 Italian epic spaghetti western film directed by Sergio Leone for Paramount Pictures. It stars Henry Fonda cast against type as the villain, Charles Bronson as his nemesis, Jason Robards as a bandit, and Claudia Cardinale as a newly widowed homesteader with a...
. He was also seen a few episodes of British-produced TV series, such as The Saint
The Saint (TV series)
The Saint was an ITC mystery spy thriller television series that aired in the UK on ITV between 1962 and 1969. It centred on the Leslie Charteris literary character, Simon Templar, a Robin Hood-like adventurer with a penchant for disguise. The character may be nicknamed The Saint because the...
and The Baron
The Baron
The Baron is a British television series, made in 1965/66 based on the book series by John Creasey, written under the pseudonym Anthony Morton, and produced by ITC Entertainment. It was the first ITC show without marionettes to be produced entirely in colour...
.