Frank Wilcox Movies
American actor Frank Wilcox had intended to follow his father's footsteps in the medical profession, but financial and personal circumstances dictated a redirection of goals. He joined the Resident Theater in Kansas City in the late '20s, spending several seasons in leading man roles. In 1934, Wilcox visited his father in California, and there he became involved with further stage work, first with his own acting troupe and then with the Pasadena Playhouse. Shortly afterward, Wilcox was signed to a contract at Warner Bros., where he spent the next few years in a wide range of character parts, often cast as crooked bankers, shifty attorneys, and that old standy, the Fellow Who Doesn't Get the Girl. Historian Leslie Haliwell has suggested that Wilcox often played multiple roles in these Warners films, though existing records don't bear this out. Frank Wilcox was still working into the 1960s; his most popular latter-day role was as Mr. Brewster, the charming banker who woos and wins Cousin Pearl Bodine (Bea Benaderet) during the inaugural 1962-1963 season of TV's The Beverly Hillbillies. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
In $1,000,000 Duck, the titular duck is exposed to radiation and begins laying golden eggs, which brings it under the scrutiny of the treasury department, the FBI, and a gang of comic-opera crooks. The cast includes Disney perennials Dean Jones and Joe Flynn, with Sandy Duncan taking over the part usually assumed by someone like Michele Lee or Stefanie Powers. $1,000,000 Duck was directed by Vince McEveety. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Sandy Duncan, Dean Jones, (more)
- 1969
A private delegation of Chinese and American diplomats has convened in a secret Scandanavian location to negotiate the release of several American POWS. Providing security at the meeting is Chief Ironside (Raymond Burr), who finds himself matching wits--and witticisms--with his cagey Chinese counterpart Hsai Hsu Mak (Khigh Dhiegh) as the two men try to find a potential murderer in their midst. Meanwhile, Ironside's aide Mark (Don Mitchell) falls in love with female Chinese delegate Mei Noyen (Cecile Ozorio) (one of the few instances of an interracial romance on 1960s television). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1969
The 75th anniversary of the railroad between Pixley and Hooterville will be celebrated with a gala "golden spike" ceremony. Given the honor of driving the spike, Uncle Joe (Edgar Buchanan) brings his hammer down full-force--and strikes oil! Instantly, Joe begins imagining all the wonderful things that he'll buy with his windfall...but as usual, our hero is riding for a fall. Frank Wilcox, who used to play oil company executive John Brewster on The Beverly Hillbillies, essays an almost identical role in this episode. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1968
This is the first of several episodes in which an ailing Bea Benaderet does not appear (it is explained that her character, Kate Bradley, is "out of town"). Taking his wife Betty Jo's advice to do a bit of "apple polishing" to attract cropdusting business, Steve begins wht Millicent Marshall, attractive daughter of a prospective client--and before long, Betty wishes that she could eat her words! Millicent and Mrs. Marshall are played respectively by Joi Lansing and Frank Wilcox, who has previously appeared as "Mrs. Flatt" and "Mr. Brewster" on Petticoat Junction's parent series The Beverly Hillbillies. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1966
Tired of hanging around the house and feeling useless, Jed looks forward to joining the board of directors of a second-rate oil company. But when it becomes clear that he's been hired as merely a figurehead, Jed feels worse than ever. By the time the episode has run its course, the Clampett patriarch has accepted a job as a trash collector. Barry Kelly guest stars as Mr. Brachner. "Jed Joins the Board" was originally telecast on November 16, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1966
Granny and Elly head back to the Ozarks, there to assist Mrs. Brewster (Lisa Seagram) in the delivery of her first baby. In their absence, Jed and Jethro are left in charge of the Beverly Hills mansion. Though Jethro intends to run things as usual, Jethro hopes to convert the Clampett home into a swingin' bachelor pad. Frank Wilcox makes a return appearance as oil executive Mr. Brewster. "Brewster's Baby" first aired on February 16, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1965
The Clampetts again serve a heapin' helpin' of their hospitality -- hillbilly, that is -- to oil executive Brewster (Frank Wilcox) and his lovely new wife (Lisa Seagram). But the Brewsters would just as soon celebrate their marriage quietly, without the "help" of the hillbillies. "The Brewsters Return" was originally scheduled to air on June 2, 1965, but according to contemporary TV Guide listings, the episode was moved up to May 19. In most syndicated packages, however, the episode is catalogued after "Luke's Boy," which was shown on May 26, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1965
An old, tried-and-true sitcom story line is trotted out for this episode of The Beverly Hillbillies. Jed Clampett receives a gift from his new friend, oil-rich sheik Ali Ben Ahmed (Dan Seymour). You guessed it: The "gift" turns out to be four curvaceous dancing girls. In a further complication, Sheik Ali expresses the desire to add Elly May to his harem. Announcer Bill Baldwin, who introduced each episode of the series, appears on camera as himself. "The Sheik" initially aired on September 29, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1965
Frank Wilcox makes a return visit to The Beverly Hillbillies in the role of dapper oil company executive Mr. Brewster. Arriving in Beverly Hills with his fiancée Edythe Williams (Lisa Seagram), Brewster visits the Clampett mansion to inform the family that even more oil has been found on Jed's mountain property. The Clampetts respond by inviting Brewster and his bride-to-be to spend their honeymoon in Granny's backyard cabin -- and they won't take no for an answer. "Brewster's Honeymoon" originally aired on March 24, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1964
The debut episode of the mirthfully macabre sitcom The Munsters begins as Marilyn, the "normal" member of the monstrous Munster family of Mockingbird Heights (normal by our standards if not by theirs) is invited to a costume party held by the snobbish parents of her new boyfriend Tom Daly (Linden Chiles). Under these circumstances, Mr. and Mrs. Daly (Frank Wilcox, Mabel Albertson) have no way of knowing that the masqueraded Munsters bear close resemblances to such Hollywood horrors as the Frankenstein monster, Dracula and the Wolfman. The fun begins when Herman Munster (Fred Gwynne), seeing that Tom's father has unwittingly made himself up to look just like Herman, jumps to the conclusion that Mr. Daly isn't wearing any costume at all! With this episode, Beverly Owen makes the first of 13 appearances as Marilyn Munster, a role played for the remainder of the series by Pat Priest. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1963
Perhaps inevitably, the Clampetts are visited by an Internal Revenue agent named Alan Landman (John Stephenson). Granny wants nothing to do with "revenooers," and chases Landman off her property with a shotgun. To mollify the outraged IRS man, banker Drysdale tells him the story of the Clampetts' overnight ascension to millionaire status -- as good an excuse as any to run off film clips from The Beverly Hillbillies' pilot episode (some of which had not been aired when the series premiered in September of 1962). "Jed Pays His Income Tax" was originally broadcast on April 3, 1963. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1963
Jethro wants to head back to "Californy," but Jed refuses until Jethro's maw Pearl can get oil executive Mr. Brewster (Frank Wilcox) to pop the question. Though Brewster is fond of Pearl, he is hesitant to enter into matrimony. Granny decides to force the issue by giving Brewster a choice between getting hitched or getting a load of buckshot in the behind. The result is an outrageous public proposal, leading to an even more outrageous episode climax. Max Baer Jr. again appears in the dual role of Jethro and Jethrene, while Elvia Allman is seen as Granny's perennial rival Elverna Bradshaw. "Jed Rescues Pearl" was originally shown on January 2, 1963. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1963
Jed Clampett invites Cousin Pearl and Jethro's twin sister Jethrene to visit his Beverly Hills mansion. No sooner has she arrived than Pearl has resumed her feudin' and fussin' with Granny, their argument centering over who should be in charge of the Clampett kitchen. Meanwhile, Jethrene pines over her mountain sweetheart "Jazzbo" Depew (Phil Gordon). Max Baer Jr. is seen as both Jethro and Jethrene, with the latter's voice provided by future Petticoat Junction star Linda Kaye (the daughter of Beverly Hillbillies creator Paul Henning). "Back to Californy" first aired on January 9, 1963. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1963
In his final Untouchables guest appearance, Jack Klugman is cast as Sollie Girsh, a distributor of illegal liquor who has figured out a clever scheme to keep operating right under the noses of the Feds. Using remarkable methods of persuasion, the deceptively mild-mannered Girsh has induced over 500 otherwise honest merchants and storekeepers to retail his whiskey, convincing every one of them that he is only looking out for their welfare. It takes some doing, but Elliot Ness (Robert Stack) finally persuades grocer Charley Tarasovich (George Voskovec), whose son has been killed in a drunk-driving accident, to work undercover in a sting operation to destroy Girsh's criminal network. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1962
Hoping to make a surprise return trip to their Ozark home for Christmas, the Clampett family embarks upon their first airplane ride. As amazed as they are when their "fancy train" takes flight, the Clampetts are even more astonished by the in-flight Western movie, convinced that they're being besieged by wild Indians. Unbeknownst to them, Cousin Pearl has decided to head westward and visit the Clampetts' Beverly Hills mansion. Ventriloquist Paul Winchell appears as Pearl's ancient suitor Homer "Grandpa" Winch. "Home for Christmas" originally aired on December 17, 1962. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1962
Back in the Ozarks for Christmas, the Clampetts try to help Cousin Pearl snare a husband. The man in question is Mr. Brewster (Frank Wilcox), the oil-company executive who purchased Jed's cabin for 25 million-dollars. Meanwhile, Pearl's off-and-on suitor, octogenarian Grandpa Winch (Paul Winchell), decides to put up a fight for Pearl's hand in marriage. "No Place Like Home" made its network TV bow on December 26, 1962. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1962
The Clampetts are having trouble becoming accustomed to their new Beverly Hills mansion, especially that music starts a-playin' just before someone shows up at the door. Hoping to impress the Clampetts, banker Drysdale informs them that the chandelier in their new home belonged to Louis XIV. Digesting this information, Jed Clampett assures Drysdale that they don't mind havin' a few second-hand items around the house. Meanwhile, Granny can't get over her nostalgia for her humble home in the Ozarks -- which is why the title of this October 10, 1962, episode is "Meanwhile, Back at the Cabin." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1962
Originally telecast on September 26, 1962, "Hillbillies of Beverly Hills" was of course the pilot episode of the immensely popular sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies. As everyone in the universe must know by now, it all begins when Ozark mountaineer Jed Clampett accidentally strikes oil on his property while "shootin' fer some food." Oil company executive Brewster (Frank Wilcox) offers to buy Jed's property for 25 of those "new kind of dollars" -- million dollars, that is. At the urging of his social-climbing cousin Pearl, Jed arranges to move his family to Beverly Hills, CA. His daughter Elly May and Pearl's boy Jethro are excited about the move -- but Jed's stubborn ol' Granny "ain't a-goin." Fans of the series will note that both Buddy Ebsen (Jed) and Irene Ryan (Granny) are wearing an excess of "old age" makeup; in the series proper, both actors were allowed to appear a tad younger. This episode is also known as "The Clampetts Strike Oil." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1962
Jethro is determined to become a brain surgeon, but the fact that he hasn't completed the fifth grade puts a crimp in his plans. At the suggestion of cousin Pearl, Jed enrolls Jethro in the fancy private school managed by the snooty Millicent Schuyler-Potts (Eleanor Audley). At first, Mrs. Potts is appalled by Jethro's presence, but she changes her mind when she learns of the size of the Clampetts' bank account. Also known as "Fifth Grade," this episode first aired on November 14, 1962. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1962
Several subplots are woven into this episode. The Beverly Hills police look askance at Granny's backyard still and Elly May's menagerie of "critters." The Clampetts decide to pay a visit to their Beverly Hills neighbors, unaware that its Halloween. And back in the Ozarks, Cousin Pearl has set her cap for oil executive Mr. Brewster. The scene in which the terrified suburbanite sees Jethro's "mask" is a riot. "Trick or Treat" first aired on October 31, 1962. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1962
The first season of The Beverly Hillbillies can be regarded as a "shakedown" cruise, with the newly-rich Clampett family making first contact with the wealthy upper crust of Beverly Hills, CA, adapting to their strange but luxurious surroundings with a combination of farcical ignorance and warm-hearted common sense and decency. After striking oil on his property in the opening episode, poor-but-proud mountaineer Jed Clampett (Buddy Ebsen) is informed that his land is now valued in a "new kind of dollars" -- namely, "million" dollars (about 20 million, to be exact). On the advice of his social-climbing cousin Pearl Bodine (Bea Benaderet), Jed decides to move out of the hills and into a posh Beverly Hills mansion, taking his innocently voluptuous daughter Elly May (Donna Douglas), his elderly but feisty mother-in-law Granny (Irene Ryan) and Pearl's oafish son Jethro Bodine (Max Baer Jr.) along for the ride. Endeavoring to help the Clampett clan make the transition from abject poverty to untold wealth are Milburn Drysdale (Raymond Bailey), president of the Commerce Bank of Beverly Hills and the caretaker of Jed's fortune, and Drysdale's ultra-efficient secretary Miss Jane Hathaway (Nancy Kulp). Many of the earliest episodes are built around the Clampetts' hilarious misinterpretations of their new creature comforts: the mansion's swimming pool is referred to as "the cee-ment pond"; the billiard table is labeled "the fancy eatin' table"; the billiard cues are dubbed "pot passers"; and it takes several episodes for Jed and company to figure out where "thet music is a-comin' from" whenever somebody rings their doorbell. Meanwhile, animal-loving Elly May merrily goes about adopting as many local "critters" as she can find, the impressionable Jethro shows off the "cipherin' skills" he has accumulated as the world's oldest sixth grader (his future plans are to become either a brain surgeon or a fry-cook), and Granny crankily tries to transform her corner of Beverly Hills into a replica of her old mountain trappings, replete with a still for her "rheumatizz medicine."
Among the many subplots developed this season are Cousin Pearl's ongoing rivalry with Granny; Pearl's tireless efforts to marry off Jethro's twin sister Jethrine (also played by Max Baer Jr.), and her own furtive romance with oil-company executive John Brewster (Frank Wilcox); the Herculean efforts by Mr. Drysdale's snobbish wife Margaret (Harriet MacGibbon) to remove "those dreadful Hillbillies" from her neighborhood; and the ill-fated attempt by the Drysdale's overaged-preppy offspring Sonny Drysdale (Louis Nye) to woo and win Elly May, which nearly results in an old-fashioned shootin' feud between the Drysdales and the Clampetts! Though roundly panned by many of America's top TV critics (with such rare exceptions as the erudite Gilbert Seldes, who lauded the series for brilliantly upholding the tradition of the classic "rube outwits city slicker" stage comedies of the previous century), The Beverly Hillbillies closed out its first season as the nation's top-rated program. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Among the many subplots developed this season are Cousin Pearl's ongoing rivalry with Granny; Pearl's tireless efforts to marry off Jethro's twin sister Jethrine (also played by Max Baer Jr.), and her own furtive romance with oil-company executive John Brewster (Frank Wilcox); the Herculean efforts by Mr. Drysdale's snobbish wife Margaret (Harriet MacGibbon) to remove "those dreadful Hillbillies" from her neighborhood; and the ill-fated attempt by the Drysdale's overaged-preppy offspring Sonny Drysdale (Louis Nye) to woo and win Elly May, which nearly results in an old-fashioned shootin' feud between the Drysdales and the Clampetts! Though roundly panned by many of America's top TV critics (with such rare exceptions as the erudite Gilbert Seldes, who lauded the series for brilliantly upholding the tradition of the classic "rube outwits city slicker" stage comedies of the previous century), The Beverly Hillbillies closed out its first season as the nation's top-rated program. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Buddy Ebsen, Irene Ryan, (more)
- 1962
Eddie (Ken Osmond) thinks it's cool to quit school when he does so to take a job at a garage for a princely 80 dollars a week. Parading around the neighborhood with his snazzy new clothes purchased with his own money, Eddie becomes the object of envy for his friends Wally (Tony Dow) and Lumpy (Frank Bank). As things turn out, however, Eddie's situation isn't as enviable as it seems -- not only is he unhappy at his job (a feeling reciprocated by his angry boss!), but he also misses the camaraderie of his old schoolmates. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Ken Osmond, Frank Bank, (more)
- 1962
Bungling courier Freddie Merkel (Tommy Noonan) dreams of creative success but always manages to botch things up at crucial moments. Shortly after destroying his motorcycle, he decides to become a songwriter. This gives con man Duke (Peter Marshall) the perfect opportunity for his latest scam, one that involves submitting Freddie's song to a contest. Unfortunately, a wind gust blows the finished piece away just before Freddie turns it in. The two scramble to catch the tune, but it ends up in the hands of a priest who is suddenly inspired to enter the contest himself. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Tommy Noonan, Peter Marshall, (more)
- 1962
Unlike his fellow mobsters, Vincent Tunis (Joseph Sirola) can boast of an excellent education and a superbly analystical mind. This he proves when he methodically buys up and hoards all of the surplus whiskey in Chicago, waits patiently for other booze-supply sources to dry up, then sells his merchandise at an enormous profit. Unfortunately, Tunis has overlooked a small but crucial detail--and soon finds himself at the mercy of the equally methodical Elliot Ness (Robert Stack), who intends to settle accounts with Tunis for framing him on a phony bribery charge. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1962
Robert Stack plays a dual role in this episode, as Federal agent Elliot Ness and his lookalike, two-bit bookie Whitey Steele. Posing as Whitey, Ness heads to San Francisco in hopes of smashing a heroine distribution ring operating out of a racetrack-infromation service run by hoodlums Joe Kulak (Oscar Beregi) and Gregory Pindar (Eduardo Ciannelli). Tension begins to mount when it looks like Ness' cover will be blown right in the middle of a huge gangland convention attended by the top mobsters from 24 different cities. Murray Hamilton steals the show as a shady newspaper reporter who never lets anyone (least of all the audience) know which side he's really on. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
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