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Hebburn early 1900s famous but forgotten Entertainer
Posted by Norman Dunn on 25/3/2024, 10:21:58
Hebburn’s famous entertainer
ex Pitman
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 hometown of Hebburn had 3 Pits ‘A’ ‘B’ & ‘C’ pits and the ‘C’ Pit is where Sir Humphrey Davey collected Methane gas in bottles to test his new Safety lamp in the Lab then later tested it underground at the ‘B’ Pit.
His real name was Francis Ernest Kane, and he was one of a family of 12. He had the gift of making people laugh from an early age and was spotted at local concerts in aid of the Miners' Relief Funds. He was a former pupil of St Aloysius RC School in Hebburn, and in a school performance of Robin Hood he played Friar Tuck.
Working down one of the Hebburn Pits, he was always making his colleagues laugh. Even Pit official Bill Franks enjoyed the joking and as everyone knew each other in Hebburn those days he told Franks mother ‘Your Frank is so funny he should be on the stage’. In 2007 I (Norman Dunn) spoke about Frank to 88 year old Hebburn man Jimmy Gray in Bedewell Care Home where my late mother was also a resident. Jimmy knew the Kane family in the Quay and told me that Frank was often late for work because he was part time entertaining at local clubs. An official at the Pt , Mr Franks warned him if he doesn’t get himself on the Stage sometime soon he’ll be getting sacked at the Pit for bad time keeping. That spurred Frank onto leaving the Pit . Because he respected Mr Franks he gave himself the Stage name Frank E. Franks in gratitude to Mr Frank’s.
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 as king of the pantomime world at Stockton's Globe Theatre, inviting hundreds of poor children to the free shows.
In 1920 at Newcastle's St. Mary's Cathedral he married blonde haired Jean Boyne who had been Principal Boy in a revue together two years earlier in 1918. 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.
Re: Hebburn early 1900s famous but forgotten Entertainer
In the late 1960s juvenile jazz bands were at their peak one of the bands in Hebburn were the Franconians, almost certainly named in honour of the gentleman.
Re: Hebburn early 1900s famous but forgotten Entertainer
I worked in Reyrolles with a lovely girl called Joan O connor she made me laugh every daywith funny stories Her uncle was Frank E Franks he was her mothers brother her dad was a stand up comic as well.I often think of those days remembering dear Joan.
Re: Hebburn early 1900s famous but forgotten Entertainer
I'm always happy to see you posting your comments Lilian. Hope you are well. My mother who was born in 1922 mentioned the Franconians when she was young.Not sure if they were a jazz band like the 1960s ones Brian mentioned though.
Re: Hebburn early 1900s famous but forgotten Entertainer