Frances Gifford

Biography

Frances Gifford was an American actress who worked in features and serials from the late 1930s into the early 1950s. She grew up in Long Beach, California, and was headed for law school when a visit to the Samuel Goldwyn studios led a talent scout to bring her to Goldwyn, who signed her to a contract. Small roles at RKO and a first lead in the low-budget Mercy Plane in 1939 preceded her most famous part, Nyoka in Republic's 15-chapter serial Jungle Girl, the first time since Pearl White that an actress carried a serial. She had a leading role in the Disney feature The Reluctant Dragon (1941), then moved to Paramount for The Glass Key (1942) and returned to jungle adventure opposite Johnny Weissmuller in Tarzan Triumphs (1943). At MGM she starred in Our Vines Have Tender Grapes (1945) and The Arnelo Affair (1947). Her last films were Frank Capra's Riding High (1950) and Sky Commando (1953).

73years old at death

Born December 7, 1920Long Beach
Died January 22, 1994Pasadena
Star sign: SagittariusThe sign runs November 22 to December 21
Also credited as Mary Frances Gifford

Movie Career

Films: 5
Career span: 9 years1941 to 1950

Every film, newest first

1950Riding HighIMDb rating 6.3
1945Our Vines Have Tender GrapesIMDb rating 7.6
1943Tarzan TriumphsIMDb rating 6.2
1942The Glass KeyIMDb rating 7.0
1941The Reluctant DragonIMDb rating 6.7

Genres

Did you know?!

A role that slipped away
Republic made a sequel, Perils of Nyoka, the next year, but Gifford was unavailable and Kay Aldridge took over the heroine's part.
A first
In 1941, 200 chapters of the Pan-American League, based at colleges around the United States, picked Gifford as "the ideal Pan-American girl."

Frances Gifford movies on Netflix

Riding High1950IMDb rating 6.3as Margaret Higgins
Our Vines Have Tender Grapes1945IMDb rating 7.6as Viola Johnson
Tarzan Triumphs1943IMDb rating 6.2as Zandra
The Glass Key1942IMDb rating 7.0as Nurse
The Reluctant Dragon1941IMDb rating 6.7as Doris (Studio Artist)

Worked with

Frances Gifford shares two films with Alan Ladd, and one with each of the others. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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Alan Ladd

Bess Flowers

Irving Bacon

Ward Bond

Edward G. Robinson

Agnes MooreheadStuart HeislerDirector, 1 film Alfred L. WerkerDirector, 1 film Hamilton LuskeDirector, 1 film

Films together

Alan Ladd2 films together, 1941 to 1942
Alan Ladd's page
- The Glass Key1942IMDb rating 7.0Gifford as NurseLadd as Ed Beaumont
- The Reluctant Dragon1941IMDb rating 6.7Gifford as Doris (Studio Artist)Ladd as Al - Baby Weems Storyboard Artist
Bess Flowers1 film together, 1942
Bess Flowers's page
- The Glass Key1942IMDb rating 7.0Gifford as NurseFlowers as Henrys' Dinner Guest
Irving Bacon1 film together, 1950
Irving Bacon's page
- Riding High1950IMDb rating 6.3Gifford as Margaret HigginsBacon as Hamburger Man
Ward Bond1 film together, 1950
Ward Bond's page
- Riding High1950IMDb rating 6.3Gifford as Margaret HigginsBond as Lee
Edward G. Robinson1 film together, 1945
Edward G. Robinson's page
- Our Vines Have Tender Grapes1945IMDb rating 7.6Gifford as Viola JohnsonRobinson as Martinius Jacobson
Agnes Moorehead1 film together, 1945
Agnes Moorehead's page
- Our Vines Have Tender Grapes1945IMDb rating 7.6Gifford as Viola JohnsonMoorehead as Bruna Jacobson
Stuart HeislerDirector, 1 film, 1942
All films by Stuart Heisler
- The Glass Key1942IMDb rating 7.0Gifford as Nurse
Alfred L. WerkerDirector, 1 film, 1941
All films by Alfred L. Werker
- The Reluctant Dragon1941IMDb rating 6.7Gifford as Doris (Studio Artist)
Hamilton LuskeDirector, 1 film, 1941
All films by Hamilton Luske
- The Reluctant Dragon1941IMDb rating 6.7Gifford as Doris (Studio Artist)

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.

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