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Service Photo
Service Details
Last Rank
Major
Last Primary AFSC/MOS
AAF MOS 1034-Navigator
Last AFSC Group
Air Crew (Officer)
Primary Unit
1943-1945, Ninth Air Force
Service Years
1943 - 1945
Last Photo
Personal Details
Home State
New Jersey
Year of Birth 1920
This Military Service Page was created/owned by
A3C Michael Bell (Unit Historian)
to remember
Franz, Arthur Sofield, Maj.
If you knew or served with this Airman and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s)
HERE .
Contact Info
Home Town Perth Amboy
Last Address New Zealand
Date of Passing Jun 17, 2006
Last Known Activity:
This Remembrance is still in progress, so some of the entries are speculative guesswork until backup can be found. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
=================
Source:
www.imdb.com/name/nm0291821/bio
Date of Birth
29 February 1920 ,
Perth Amboy, New Jersey, USA
Date of Death
16 June 2006 , Oxnard, California, USA (emphysema)
Nickname
Turo
Height
5' 10½" (1.79 m)
Mini Biography
Reliable character actor in many '50s B pictures, often cast as a friendly small-town businessman or professional (as in The Doctor and the Girl (1949)) or the lead's sympathetic friend (as in 1953's Invaders from Mars (1953)). However, in The Sniper (1952), he turned in an outstanding performance as a mentally unstable ex-soldier who, after being rejected by a woman he was interested in, snaps and terrorizes the city of San Francisco by stalking and picking off women.
IMDb Mini Biography By: frankfob2@yahoo.com
Spouse
Trivia
During World War II, Franz served as a navigator in the U.S. Army Air Forces. He was shot down over Romania and incarcerated in a POW camp, from which he escaped.
Franz's interest in acting developed when he was a high school student.
Lived in New Zealand for many years but wished to return to California during the last stages of his illness.
Had three children: Gina, Melissa and Michael.
That Championship Season (1982) .... Macken
Bogie (1980) (TV) .... Dr. Bogart
Jennifer: A Woman's Story (1979) (TV) .... Dick Leonard
"Hallmark Hall of Fame" .... Hack Wiles / ... (2 episodes, 1955-1977)
- The Last Hurrah (1977) TV episode .... Hack Wiles
- A Story About Henry Ford (1955) TV episode .... Henry Ford
"The Waltons" .... Police Chief Moresdale (1 episode, 1977)
- The Seashore (1977) TV episode .... Police Chief Moresdale
Sisters of Death (1977) .... Edmond Clybourn
The Amazing Howard Hughes (1977) (TV) .... Barnes
"The Quest" .... Charles Minter (1 episode, 1976)
- Portrait of a Gunfighter (1976) TV episode .... Charles Minter
F. Scott Fitzgerald in Hollywood (1976) (TV) .... Man at party
"Medical Story" (1 episode, 1976)
- The Quality of Mercy (1976) TV episode
King Monster (1976) .... Narrator
... aka "Mystery of the Golden Eye" - USA (alternative title)
The 'Human' Factor (1975) .... Gen. Fuller
The Missiles of October (1974) (TV) .... Congressman Charles A. Halleck
"The Six Million Dollar Man" .... Dr. Wayne Carlton (1 episode, 1974)
- Stranger in Broken Folk (1974) TV episode .... Dr. Wayne Carlton
"The Rookies" .... Vic Phillips (1 episode, 1974)
- The Old Neighborhood (1974) TV episode .... Vic Phillips
Murder or Mercy (1974) (TV) .... Dr. Raymond Eckworth
"Police Story" .... Professor (1 episode, 1974)
- The Wyatt Earp Syndrome (1974) TV episode .... Professor
"Barnaby Jones" .... Morgan Walding (1 episode, 1974)
- A Gold Record for Murder (1974) TV episode .... Morgan Walding
So Long, Blue Boy (1973) .... Ed Rilke
"The New Perry Mason" .... Dave Wallant (1 episode, 1973)
- The Case of the Wistful Widower (1973) TV episode .... Dave Wallant
"Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law" (1 episode, 1973)
- The Pool House (1973) TV episode
"Mission: Impossible" .... Dr. Adler / ... (2 episodes, 1970-1972)
- Crack-Up (1972) TV episode .... Dr. Adler
- The Choice (1970) TV episode .... First Minister Andre Picard
"McCloud" .... Police Detective Charlie Harrington (1 episode, 1972)
- Give My Regrets to Broadway (1972) TV episode .... Police Detective Charlie Harrington
"Cannon" .... Steven Carr (2 episodes, 1972)
- The Island Caper (1972) TV episode .... Steven Carr
- To Kill a Guinea Pig (1972) TV episode .... Steven Carr
"The F.B.I." .... Carl / ... (5 episodes, 1967-1971)
- The Recruiter (1971) TV episode
- The Architect (1970) TV episode .... Stacy Merriman
- Scapegoat (1969) TV episode .... Carl
- Region of Peril (1968) TV episode .... Joseph Daly
- The Conspirators (1967) TV episode .... John Caldwell
"Mannix" .... Father Vale (1 episode, 1971)
- To Save a Dead Man (1971) TV episode .... Father Vale
"The Mod Squad" .... Arthur Westphal / ... (4 episodes, 1968-1971)
- The Sands of Anger (1971) TV episode
- The Hot, Hot Car (1971) TV episode
- Lisa (1969) TV episode .... Dr. Sam Berger
- Love (1968) TV episode .... Arthur Westphal
"Men at Law" .... Henry Millett (1 episode, 1971)
... aka "Storefront Lawyers" - USA (original title)
- Hostage (1971) TV episode .... Henry Millett
"Hawaii Five-O" .... Del Enright (1 episode, 1970)
... aka "McGarrett" - USA (rerun title)
- The One with the Gun (1970) TV episode .... Del Enright
Dream No Evil (1970) .... Psychiatrist
... aka "The Faith Healer" - USA (alternative title)
"Lancer" .... Sheriff Platt (1 episode, 1969)
- Devil's Blessing (1969) TV episode .... Sheriff Platt
"Land of the Giants" .... Dr. Franzen (1 episode, 1969)
- Target: Earth (1969) TV episode .... Dr. Franzen
"The Virginian" .... Fitz Warren / ... (2 episodes, 1963-1968)
... aka "The Men from Shiloh" - USA (ninth season title)
- Big Tiny (1968) TV episode .... Sheriff Mike Miller
- No Tears for Savannah (1963) TV episode .... Fitz Warren
"The Outcasts" .... Anse Farnum (1 episode, 1968)
- My Name Is Jemal (1968) TV episode .... Anse Farnum
Anzio (1968) .... Maj. Gen. Luke Howard
... aka "Lo sbarco di Anzio" - Italy (original title)
The Sweet Ride (1968) .... Psychiatrist
"The Invaders" .... Capt. Jim Trent (1 episode, 1968)
- The Life Seekers (1968) TV episode .... Capt. Jim Trent
"Custer" .... Bledsoe / ... (1 episode, 1967)
... aka "The Legend of Custer" - USA (theatrical title)
- Massacre (1967) TV episode .... Grey Fox/Bledsoe
"Tarzan" .... Dan Morrisey (1 episode, 1967)
- Algie B for Brave (1967) TV episode .... Dan Morrisey
Alvarez Kelly (1966) .... Capt. Towers
"The Nurses" (1965) TV series .... Hugh McLeod (unknown episodes, 1965-1967)
"The Fugitive" .... Bus Driver (1 episode, 1965)
- Landscape with Running Figures: Part 1 (1965) TV episode .... Bus Driver
"Profiles in Courage" .... James Madison (1 episode, 1965)
- George Mason (1965) TV episode .... James Madison
"Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" .... Archer (1 episode, 1965)
- The Condemned (1965) TV episode .... Archer
"The Bing Crosby Show" .... Fearnley (1 episode, 1965)
- The Gifted Child (1965) TV episode .... Fearnley
"Slattery's People" .... Morris (1 episode, 1965)
- Question: What Did You Do All Day, Mr. Slattery? (1965) TV episode .... Morris
"Mr. Novak" .... Det. Sgt. Sol Moss (2 episodes, 1964)
- Little Girl Lost (1964) TV episode .... Det. Sgt. Sol Moss
- With a Hammer in His Hand, Lord, Lord! (1964) TV episode
"Lassie" .... Professor Standish (1 episode, 1964)
... aka "Jeff's Collie" - USA (alternative title)
... aka "Timmy and Lassie" - USA (syndication title)
- Lassie and the Savage (1964) TV episode .... Professor Standish
The Carpetbaggers (1964) .... Morrissey
"Perry Mason" .... Danny Harrison / ... (5 episodes, 1958-1964)
- The Case of the Fifty-Millionth Frenchman (1964) TV episode .... Ray Ogilvie
- The Case of the Captain's Coins (1962) TV episode .... Evans
- The Case of the Larcenous Lady (1960) TV episode .... Mayor James 'Jim' Henderson
- The Case of the Golden Fraud (1959) TV episode .... Richard Vanaman
- The Case of the Married Moonlighter (1958) TV episode .... Danny Harrison
"77 Sunset Strip" .... Dr. Alex Conley / ... (2 episodes, 1961-1963)
- Reunion at Balboa (1963) TV episode .... Lieutenant Rudy
- The Space Caper (1961) TV episode .... Dr. Alex Conley
"Wagon Train" .... Dan Highet / ... (2 episodes, 1962-1963)
- The Annie Duggan Story (1963) TV episode .... Dan Highet
- The Jud Steele Story (1962) TV episode .... Nathan Forge
"Saints and Sinners" .... Everett Harper (1 episode, 1962)
- Judith Was a Lady (1962) TV episode .... Everett Harper
"Rawhide" .... Charles Fredericks / ... (2 episodes, 1960-1962)
- Incident at Sugar Creek (1962) TV episode .... Sheriff Art Harris
- Incident of the Wanted Painter (1960) TV episode .... Charles Fredericks
"Bonanza" .... Asa Moran (1 episode, 1962)
... aka "Ponderosa" - USA (rerun title)
... aka "Ride the Wind" - USA (recut version)
- The Lawmaker (1962) TV episode .... Asa Moran
"Tales of Wells Fargo" .... Mel Akins (1 episode, 1962)
- Portrait of Teresa (1962) TV episode .... Mel Akins
"Death Valley Days" .... Matt Warner / ... (2 episodes, 1960-1962)
... aka "Call of the West" - USA (syndication title)
... aka "The Pioneers" - USA (syndication title)
... aka "Trails West" - USA (syndication title)
... aka "Western Star Theater" - USA (syndication title)
- Justice at Jackson Creek (1962) TV episode .... Payne Piprim
- The Young Gun (1960) TV episode .... Matt Warner
"Ripcord" .... Dr. Joe Hagen (1 episode, 1962)
- Hagen Charm (1962) TV episode .... Dr. Joe Hagen
"Ichabod and Me" .... Rick Norton (1 episode, 1961)
- The Phippsboro Story (1961) TV episode .... Rick Norton
"Hawaiian Eye" .... Harry Lytton / ... (2 episodes, 1961)
- Satan City (1961) TV episode .... Paul Hoyt
- The Trouble with Murder (1961) TV episode .... Harry Lytton
"The Deputy" .... Herb Caldwell (1 episode, 1961)
- Past and Present (1961) TV episode .... Herb Caldwell
"Whispering Smith" .... Paul Landers (1 episode, 1961)
- Hired to Die (1961) TV episode .... Paul Landers
"Checkmate" .... Robert Haskell (1 episode, 1960)
- Lady on the Brink (1960) TV episode .... Robert Haskell
"Assignment: Underwater" .... Andy Schramm (1 episode, 1960)
- The Sea Cave (1960) TV episode .... Andy Schramm
"The Chevy Mystery Show" .... Simon Dow (1 episode, 1960)
... aka "Sunday Mystery Hour" - USA (rerun title)
- Fear Is the Parent (1960) TV episode .... Simon Dow
"Gunsmoke" .... Red Larned (1 episode, 1960)
... aka "Marshal Dillon" - USA (rerun title)
- Cherry Red (1960) TV episode .... Red Larned
"The Alaskans" .... Dr. Jim Manning (1 episode, 1960)
- The Silent Land (1960) TV episode .... Dr. Jim Manning
"Bourbon Street Beat" .... Dr. Joshua Hart (1 episode, 1960)
- Deadly Persuasion (1960) TV episode .... Dr. Joshua Hart
"Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond" .... Kevin Stacy (1 episode, 1960)
... aka "Alcoa Presents" - USA (alternative title)
... aka "One Step Beyond" - USA (syndication title)
- Call from Tomorrow (1960) TV episode .... Kevin Stacy
"Wanted: Dead or Alive" .... John Garth (1 episode, 1960)
- Most Beautiful Woman (1960) TV episode .... John Garth
The Atomic Submarine (1959) .... Lt. Cmdr. Richard 'Reef' Holloway
... aka "The Atomic Sub" - USA (alternative title)
"Men Into Space" .... Captain Tom Farrow (1 episode, 1959)
... aka "Space Challenge" - USA (syndication title)
- Moonquake (1959) TV episode .... Captain Tom Farrow
"World of Giants" (1959) TV series .... Bill Winters (unknown episodes)
... aka "W.O.G." - USA (short title)
Woman Obsessed (1959) (uncredited) .... Tom Sharron
Monster on the Campus (1958) .... Prof. Donald Blake
"The Millionaire" .... Carl Nelson / ... (2 episodes, 1955-1958)
- The Frank Harrigan Story (1958) TV episode .... Frank Harrigan
- The Carl Nelson Story (1955) TV episode .... Carl Nelson
"Target" (1 episode, 1958)
- Once Too Often (1958) TV episode
The Young Lions (1958) .... Lt. Green
The Flame Barrier (1958) .... Dave Hollister
... aka "It Fell from the Flame Barrier" - USA (promotional title)
"Zane Grey Theater" .... Lee Brand (1 episode, 1958)
... aka "Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater" - USA (complete title)
... aka "The Westerners" - USA (rerun title)
- Man of Fear (1958) TV episode .... Lee Brand
The Devil's Hairpin (1957) .... Danny Rhinegold
"Climax!" .... Dick Crosby / ... (4 episodes, 1954-1957)
... aka "Climax Mystery Theater" - USA (alternative title)
- The Secret of the Red Room (1957) TV episode
- Phone Call for Matthew Quade (1956) TV episode .... Walt
- The Healer (1955) TV episode .... Dr. Joyce
- The Thirteenth Chair (1954) TV episode .... Dick Crosby
Back from the Dead (1957) .... Dick Anthony
... aka "Bury Me Dead" - USA (alternative title)
The Unholy Wife (1957) .... Father Stephen Hochen
... aka "The Lady and the Prowler" - USA (alternative title)
"The George Sanders Mystery Theater" (1 episode)
- The People vs. Anne Tobin (????) TV episode
"Crossroads" .... Father Robert W. Greene / ... (3 episodes, 1956-1957)
- Deadline (1957) TV episode
- The Rabbi Davis Story (1956) TV episode .... Rabbi Davis
- Cavalry in China (1956) TV episode .... Father Robert W. Greene
Hellcats of the Navy (1957) .... Lt. Cmdr. Don Landon (XO, USS Starfish)
"The 20th Century-Fox Hour" .... Ben Macready / ... (2 episodes, 1955-1957)
- Deadline Decision (1957) TV episode .... Ben Macready
- The Late George Apley (1955) TV episode .... Howard Boulder
"The Ford Television Theatre" .... David Chandler / ... (4 episodes, 1952-1957)
... aka "Ford Theatre" - USA (short title)
- Mrs. Wane Comes to Call (1957) TV episode .... David Chandler
- Hanrahan (1955) TV episode .... Joe Newbury
- The Last Thirty Minutes (1954) TV episode
- Junior (1952) TV episode
"Studio 57" (1 episode, 1957)
... aka "Heinz Studio 57" - USA (alternative title)
- No Sentiment (1957) TV episode
"Science Fiction Theatre" .... Dr. Jeff Conover / ... (5 episodes, 1955-1956)
- Facsimile (1956) TV episode .... George Bascomb
- Brain Unlimited (1956) TV episode .... Dr. Jeff Conover
- The Man Who Didn't Know (1956) TV episode .... Mark Kendler
- The Strange People at Pecos (1955) TV episode .... Jeff Jamison
- Marked 'Danger' (1955) TV episode .... Fred Strand
The Wild Party (1956) .... Lt. Arthur Mitchell
Running Target (1956) .... Scott
"Cavalcade of America" .... Casimir Pulaski / ... (2 episodes, 1952-1956)
... aka "DuPont Presents the Cavalcade Theatre" - USA (fourth season title)
... aka "DuPont Theater" - USA (fifth season title)
- Date with a Stranger (1956) TV episode .... Casimir Pulaski
- No Greater Love (1952) TV episode .... Dr. William Gorgas
"Schlitz Playhouse" .... Chris Grine / ... (7 episodes, 1953-1956)
... aka "Schlitz Playhouse of Stars" - USA (original title)
... aka "Herald Playhouse" - USA (syndication title)
... aka "The Playhouse" - USA (syndication title)
- The House That Jackson Built (1956) TV episode
- Pattern for Pursuit (1956) TV episode .... Sgt. Douglas Renfrew
- Too Late to Run (1955) TV episode
- Spangal Island (1954) TV episode
- By-Line (1954) TV episode .... Chris Grine
(2 more )
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (1956) .... Bob Hale
"TV Reader's Digest" .... Alphonse Bertillon / ... (3 episodes, 1955-1956)
- The Only Way Out (1956) TV episode .... Master Sgt. Horst Bock
- Emergency Case (1955) TV episode
- France's Greatest Detective (1955) TV episode .... Alphonse Bertillon
"Celebrity Playhouse" .... Arthur Gordon / ... (2 episodes, 1956)
- Girl on the Run (1956) TV episode .... Dr. Kirk Mitchell
- Shadow of a Thief (1956) TV episode .... Arthur Gordon
"Four Star Playhouse" .... David / ... (2 episodes, 1955-1956)
... aka "Star Performance" - USA (rerun title)
- Once to Every Woman (1956) TV episode .... David
- Looking Glass House (1955) TV episode .... Richard
"Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre" (1 episode, 1956)
... aka "Jane Wyman Presents" - USA (rerun title)
... aka "Jane Wyman Theater" - USA (alternative title)
- Excuse Me for Living (1956) TV episode
Bobby Ware Is Missing (1955) .... George Ware
"Kraft Theatre" (2 episodes, 1954-1955)
... aka "Kraft Television Theatre" - USA (original title)
... aka "Kraft Mystery Theatre" - USA (new title)
- Spur of the Moment (1955) TV episode
- The Picture Window (1954) TV episode
"The Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse" (1 episode, 1955)
... aka "The Philco Television Playhouse" - USA (original title)
... aka "Arena Theatre" - USA (new title)
... aka "Repertory Theatre" - USA (new title)
- Total Recall (1955) TV episode
"The Whistler" .... Carter / ... (3 episodes, 1954-1955)
- An Actor's Life (1955) TV episode .... Leo
- Borrowed Byline (1955) TV episode .... McKelvey
- A Trip to Aunt Sarah's (1954) TV episode .... Carter
"Fireside Theatre" .... Alan (3 episodes, 1953-1955)
- The 99th Day (1955) TV episode .... Alan
- No Captain Material (1955) TV episode
- Grey Gardens (1953) TV episode
"Justice" (1 episode, 1955)
- Badge of Dishonor (1955) TV episode
"Appointment with Adventure" (1 episode, 1955)
- Priceless Cargo (1955) TV episode
New Orleans Uncensored (1955) .... Dan Corbett
... aka "Riot on Pier 6" - USA (alternative title)
Battle Taxi (1955) .... Lt. Pete Stacy
... aka "Operation Air Rescue" - USA (alternative title)
The Steel Cage (1954) .... Chaplain Harvey, segment "The Face"
The Caine Mutiny (1954) .... Lt. JG H. Paynter Jr.
"Robert Montgomery Presents" .... Son (2 episodes, 1954)
- For These Services (1954) TV episode .... Son
- The Steady Man (1954) TV episode
"Armstrong Circle Theatre" (1 episode, 1954)
- Evening Star (1954) TV episode
"The Web" (1 episode, 1954)
- A Handful of Stars (1954) TV episode
"Waterfront" .... Pete Wilson (1 episode)
- Yellow Flag (????) TV episode .... Pete Wilson
"Ponds Theater" (1 episode, 1954)
... aka "Kraft Television Theatre" - USA (original title)
- The Shining Palace (1954) TV episode
The Eddie Cantor Story (1953) .... Harry Harris
Bad for Each Other (1953) .... Dr. Jim Crowley
"Studio One in Hollywood" (2 episodes, 1953)
... aka "Studio One" - USA (original title)
... aka "Studio One Summer Theatre" - USA (summer title)
... aka "Summer Theatre" - USA (summer title)
... aka "Westinghouse Studio One" - USA (alternative title)
... aka "Westinghouse Summer Theatre" - USA (summer title)
- Dry Run (1953) TV episode
- Camille (1953) TV episode
Flight Nurse (1953) .... Capt. Mike Barnes
"Danger" (1 episode, 1953)
- Help Wanted (1953) TV episode
Invaders from Mars (1953) .... Dr. Kelston - astronomer/Narrator
Three Lives (1953) .... Commentator
Eight Iron Men (1952) .... Carter
The Member of the Wedding (1952) .... Jarvis Addams
Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder (1952) .... Phil Young
... aka "Castle in the Air" - USA (alternative title)
The Sniper (1952) .... Eddie Miller
Submarine Command (1951) .... Lt. Arnie Carlson
... aka "The Submarine Story" - USA (alternative title)
Flight to Mars (1951) .... Dr. Jim Barker
Other Comments:
From SFGate:
Arthur Franz, a character actor whose credits from a career in films and television include the 1957 movie "Hellcats of the Navy," which featured Ronald Reagan and his wife, Nancy Davis, has died. He was 86.
Mr. Franz died Saturday at St. John's Hospital in Oxnard (Ventura County) of heart failure and emphysema, said friends and family members. Mr. Franz, who lived in New Zealand until recently, had been in failing health and wanted to spend his remaining days in California.
A reliable actor in roles where a friendly and sympathetic character was called for, Mr. Franz achieved something in the prime of his career that every actor wants: steady work.
He was in the 1949 John Wayne war film "Sands of Iwo Jima," supplied the narration to 1954's "The Caine Mutiny" and played a naval officer in 1951's "Abbot and Costello Meet the Invisible Man." One of his better known "B" films from the 1950s was "Invaders From Mars," which included special effects from Ray Harryhausen.
Mr. Franz's one starring role was in the 1952 film "The Sniper," where he played against type as an ex-soldier who snaps after being rejected in romance and goes on a killing spree in San Francisco. Directed by Edward Dmytryk and produced by Stanley Kramer, the film earned Mr. Franz the best reviews of his career.
During the 1950s, Mr. Franz often was cast in television anthology theater series such as "Studio One," "The Ford Television Theater" and "Zane Grey Theater." For nearly 30 years, he was one of the more recognizable faces to show up in guest roles on such popular TV series as "Perry Mason," "The FBI," "The Mod Squad," "The Virginian" and "Rawhide."
His last film credit came in a production of "That Championship Season" in 1982.
Born in Perth Amboy, N.J., Mr. Franz became interested in acting in high school. During World War II, he served in the Army Air Forces as a navigator. According to his daughter Gina, he and his crew were shot down over Romania and spent a short time in a prisoner-of-war camp before escaping.
After the war, he earned his first screen credit in the 1948 film "Jungle Patrol." After his starring turn in "The Sniper," he was featured on the Ralph Edward's television program "This Is Your Life."
Two of Mr. Franz's four marriages ended in divorce. His third wife, actress Doreen Lang, died in 1999.
Survivors include his fourth wife, Sharon, and daughters Gina Martenson and Melissa Franz, both of Taos, N.M.; and a son, Michael, who lives in the Lake Tahoe area.
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Last Updated: Jun 21, 2019