Jimmy James and Frank E Franks 1920 to 1930

[Allyson Proudfoot]

Hello there,

Does anyone on this ng know anything about the British comics Jimmy
James and Frank E Franks?

I am particularly interested in their early careers and the people they
worked with, although any info would be a bonus.

Regards
--
Allyson Proudfoot

[norman1...@gmail.com]

Hell Allyson,
I was born in Hebburn which is the birthplace of Frank E Franks. If you email a reply I can tell you more & include some images you may not have. I will write out my email so it is not infringing Google's policy of no email addresses to be added. It is norman at dunn247.co.uk


FRANK E. FRANKS
Hebburn's most famous show business star Frank E. Franks died age 82 at his home in Chapel Hill Road, Peterlee, in April 1974.

His real name was Francis Ernest Kane and he was one of a family of 12. Frank had the gift of making people laugh from an early age and was spotted giving concerts in aid of Miners' Relief Funds. Frank was a former pupil of St Aloysius School in Hebburn, when he appeared in a performance of Robin Hood where he played the part of Friar Tuck.

Working down Hebburn Pit, he made the other miners laugh so much that a pit official called Bill Franks told his mother that Frankie should go on stage. And he did, changing his name to Frank E. Franks in gratitude for the pit official's kindness. I was told in 2007 by 88 yr old Hebburn man Jimmy Grey, a resident in Bedewell Care Home that Frankie was on the point of being sacked due to his timekeeping which was probably because he was too busy part time entertaining. So the supportive official suggested he leave the Pit and take up a career as an entertainer otherwise the Pit manager may have to sack him.

Frank joined up for the 1914-18 War and became director of theatre entertainments for the Second Army in France. He was great in pantomime and reigned king of the pantomime world at Stockton's Globe Theatre, inviting hundreds of poor children to free shows.

Frank married the Panto's principal boy, a blonde girl called Jean Boyne who he'd been in revue with back in 1918, and married two years later at Newcastle's St. Mary's Cathedral.

In a career spanning 60 years, he became one of the country's top comedians, rivalling such stars as Arthur Askey, Wee Georgie Wood, Jimmy James and Jimmy Logan. Even at the age of 75, he accepted a 20 week engagement to perform at selected clubs in the north east.

He played in two Royal Command Performances, including several films and played in every major theatre in London.

This was a long way from his first professional debut at the Imperial Cinema, a small converted cinema in Bill Quay.


Hippodrome Theatre, NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3rd, 1930, Twice Nightly.

FRANK E. FRANKS. HIMSELF. IN the biggest success he has ever produced.

The Gypsy Vagabond, SUPPORTED BY A POWERFUL CAST, INCLUDING:

RITA ASTELLE, THE ROYAL BRECONIA SINGERS, FRANK E. FRANKS'
FRENCH MUSICAL CLOWNS, £22,000 in Contracts have already been secured for this wonderful attraction, with THE GENERALTHEATRES CORPORATION. MESSRS. MOSS EMPIRES LTD.,
THE PALACE AND WINTER GARDENS, BLACKPOOL. Etc.. Etc. Note: This is Mr Franks' first appearance at the Hippodrome since his triumph with...
CINDERELLA - 1925-4. RED RIDING HOOD - 1926-7. THE CAT LIEUTENANT - 1926. THE BOOKINGS WILL BE HEAVY.
DON'T BE DISAPPOINTED. Get your seat early.

[angu...@freeuk.com]

On Wednesday, March 3, 1999 at 9:00:00 AM UTC+1, Allyson Proudfoot wrote:
> Hello there,
>
> Does anyone on this ng know anything about the British comics Jimmy
> James and Frank E Franks?
>
> I am particularly interested in their early careers and the people they
> worked with, although any info would be a bonus.
>
> Regards
> --
> Allyson Proudfoot

Dear Allyson,
I appreciate my reply is a good fifteen years late, but Frank E. Franks was my grandmother's uncle and what little I know about him I would be very happy to share. Likewise I would be very interested to know what you have discovered, since I am trying to get information about the saxophonist in his band who apparently was my grandfather! I have a stage photograph of Frank E. Franks which I can email you. My email is (replace at with @) angus at freeuk.com
Best wishes,
Angus

[mollyg...@hotmail.com]

On Wednesday, 3 March 1999 08:00:00 UTC, Allyson Proudfoot wrote:
> Hello there,
>
> Does anyone on this ng know anything about the British comics Jimmy
> James and Frank E Franks?
>
> I am particularly interested in their early careers and the people they
> worked with, although any info would be a bonus.
>
> Regards
> --
> Allyson Proudfoot

Hi Allyson

I saw your message about Frank E. Franks.

I have a copy of his book "Cinderella", published privately in 1927. As well as lovely illustrations in colour and in black and white, there is a photograph of the author and he signed it "Faithfully Yours, Frank E. Franks". The book is in very good condition, and complete, quite a slim volume and not heavy.

If you would like to buy it from me, I think £25 would be a fair price, plus postage on top. I don't know why it was in my late mother's collection of books and I didn't find until recently.

Yours,
Molly Turner

[ellabutte...@gmail.com]

I have a signed copy of this book given to me by my Step mother Greta she was a show girl and knew him personally

[jamesda...@gmail.com]

Hi Molly.

I've just came across this message.

Frank was my great great Uncle.

Do you still have this book?

Thanks,

James

[there...@gmail.com]

Hi, Thérèse here. My great uncle was Frank E. Franks. I remember hearing my Granda, Danny, talking about the work and successes of his brother with great pride, Humour has always played a huge part in our lives and my grandaa was also so very funny, probably born of the necessity to cope with the hardship of the era in which they grew up.

I have enjoyed reading these posts and I did notice references to Frank's vital work in Sunderland Empire on posters the last time I visited.

[sheenao...@gmail.com]

On Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at 6:17:58 AM UTC, there...@gmail.com wrote:
> Hi, Thérèse here. My great uncle was Frank E. Franks. I remember hearing my Granda, Danny, talking about the work and successes of his brother with great pride, Humour has always played a huge part in our lives and my grandaa was also so very funny, probably born of the necessity to cope with the hardship of the era in which they grew up.
>
> I have enjoyed reading these posts and I did notice references to Frank's vital work in Sunderland Empire on posters the last time I visited

Hi Thérese,

Frank and my grandmother were first cousins. I am working with some others to produce a family document. Please contact me if you can. We could do with help

Thanks
Sheena

[janiceg...@gmail.com]

My old mate Brain knew frank very well and so did my dad. They both said he was very funny.I don’t know if this is true but my dad said that frank opened Easington dog track on Boxing Day 1934( has just been pulled down,2019) I remember when he died. He lived in chapel hill road peterlee about 500 yds where I live now ( Eden lane) He was buried from peterlee Catholic Church 1974.

[zoeo...@gmail.com]

I beleive my great grandad Jimmy Kane was a relation to the dear Frank e Franks. It would be great to get some more family history, many thanks.

[Sophie Owens]

Hi,
I'm looking into information on both Jimmy James and Frank E franks who performed at The Globe Stockton and wondered if anyone could help as mentioned above as I realise some of the contacts above are no longer in use.

Thanks,
Sophie

[Sheena O'Brien]

On Thursday, April 23, 2020 at 6:08:49 PM UTC+1, janiceg...@gmail.com wrote:
> My old mate Brain knew frank very well and so did my dad. They both said he was very funny.I don’t know if this is true but my dad said that frank opened Easington dog track on Boxing Day 1934( has just been pulled down,2019) I remember when he died. He lived in chapel hill road peterlee about 500 yds where I live now ( Eden lane) He was buried from peterlee Catholic Church 1974.

He was well liked apparently and very funny according to old newspaper articles