
Acting
Mar 14, 1916
New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Frank Coghlan Jr.
Acting
Biography
Frank Coghlan, Jr. (1916–2009) was an American actor who later became a career officer in the United States Navy and a Naval Aviator. He appeared in approximately 129 films and television programs between 1920 and 1974. During the 1920s and 1930s, he became a popular child and juvenile actor appearing in early Our Gang comedies, but he is best known for the role of Billy Batson in Adventures of Captain Marvel. Coghlan later served 23 years as an aviator and officer in the US Navy from 1942 to 1965. After retiring from the Navy, he returned to acting and appeared in television, films, and commercials.
Feature Films (89)

When a friend of Charlie's is found kicked to death by his own race horse on board a Honolulu-bound liner, the detective discovers foul play and uncovers an international gambling ring.
Charlie Chan at the Race Track

Joe Bonomo played circus acrobat Welles "Red" Landow, Louise Lorraine was the heroine, tightrope artist Trixie Tremaine, and such studio stalwarts as Slim Cole, Sam Polo, Monte Montague, and Albert Prisco
The Great Circus Mystery

To prove his thesis that any product--even one that doesn't exist--can be merchandized if it is advertised properly, a young man gets together with his father's savvy secretary to market a non-existent laundry soap. Complications ensue when his "product" turns out to be more successful than even he imagined--and now he has to deliver.
It Pays to Advertise

On a scientific expedition to Siam young Billy Batson is given the ability to change himself into the super-powered Captain Marvel by the wizard Shazam, who tells him his powers will last only as long as the Golden Scorpion idol is threatened. Finding the idol, the scientists realize it could be the most powerful weapon in the world and remove the lenses that energize it, distributing them among themselves so that no one would be able to use the idol by himself. Back in the US, Billy Batson, as Captain Marvel, wages a battle against an evil, hooded figure, the Scorpion, who hopes to accumulate all five lenses, thereby gaining control of the super-powerful weapon
Adventures of Captain Marvel

John and Katherine Colby decide to put off parenthood until he has become wealthy. Their friends, Tom and Grace Donaldson, decide to start a family right away. While John works his way up to a position of power at a steel firm, Katherine begins to question the wisdom of their decision.
The Poverty of Riches

An Irish girl comes to America disguised as a boy to claim a fortune left to her brother who has died.
Little Old New York

Two young Chicago hoodlums, Tom Powers and Matt Doyle, rise up from their poverty-stricken slum life to become petty thieves, bootleggers and cold-blooded killers. But with street notoriety and newfound wealth, the duo feels the heat from the cops and rival gangsters both. Despite his ruthless criminal reputation, Tom tries to remain connected to his family, however, gang warfare and the need for revenge eventually pull him away.
The Public Enemy

In the prologue Sharon Kimm and Mickey Reid are childhood friends in a tenement neighborhood but are separated when Sharon is placed in an orphanage. In the story we see Sharon as a young Hollywood star whose quick rise to fame leaves her self-centered, superficial, and a spendthrift. Ironically, the film that skyrocketed her to fame was written by Mickey. But her success is brief; and when it comes crashing to earth, Mickey is there to pick up the pieces.
The Skyrocket

Railroad foreman Murray Sinclair is dismissed by George McCloud, division superintendent, for ransacking wrecks. Sinclair along with his henchmen, retire to his ranch and forays against the railroad. "Whispering Smith," engaged by the railroad to restore order, is hesitant in dealing with Sinclair when he falls in love with Marion, Sinclair's wife, who is separated from her husband and operates a small shop in Medicine Bend. Dicksie, McCloud's sweetheart, overhears Sinclair threaten McCloud, and she rides through a storm to warn him; Smith, with the aid of Bill Dancing, tracks down Sinclair and his men, and Bill kills the villain. Dicksie and McCloud marry and take Marion under their protection.
Whispering Smith

Natty Bumppo, known as Hawk-Eye, is a frontiersman in the American wilderness. Together with his Indian friends Chingachgook and Uncas, he fights battles against nefarious white soldiers as well as the vicious Indian Magua and his cohorts.
The Last of the Mohicans

Mary Lou is excited because today is her older brother Sonny's birthday. Sonny wants a motorcycle, but his father has decided to buy him a dog instead, mainly because he himself wants to have a dog that he can take hunting. After a dispute with his father, Sonny leaves home. As he walks along a railroad track, he finds a frightened lost dog, and soon he begins to feel differently about dogs.
Pardon My Pups
Television & Series (2)

Jed Clampett's swamp is loaded with oil. When a wildcatter discovers the huge pool, Jed sells his land to the O.K. Oil Company and at the urging of cousin Pearl, moves his family to a 35-room mansion in Beverly Hills, California.
The Beverly Hillbillies

A mortal, Billy Batson, is given the power to become Captain Marvel. The Captain fights the arch villain, the Scorpion, for 12 exciting chapters, to keep him from getting the lens. The plot concerns a group of scientists and an ancient artifact with lenses that can turn any matter to gold, thus the owner could rule the world. Captain Marvel is played by former cowboy star, Tom Tyler in fine fashion. David Sharpe does the leaps and landings in realistic style. Flying scenes still look great today, with excellent special effects by the Lydecker brothers. The Scorpion is voiced by another actor, and should keep the viewer guessing until the final reel. Music by Cy Feurer, William Lava and others add more excitement to a fine serial. Whitney and English directed.

