Frances Gifford was an American actress who is best known for her roles in Jungle Girl, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and American Empire.
Personal and Family Life
Born Mary Frances Gifford on December 7, 1920, in Long Beach, California, she had no initial interest in acting. She unexpectedly entered the film industry at age 16 after a studio executive noticed her while she was visiting a movie set. Frances married actor James Dunn in 1938, but their marriage ended in divorce in 1942. She did not have any children.
Career Highlights
Frances’s acting career began with small roles in films, and her big break came with her part in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington in 1939. She is perhaps most remembered for her lead role in the film serial Jungle Girl in 1941. Unfortunately, her film career faced challenges after a serious auto accident in 1948 led to severe head injuries, impacting her work in Hollywood and ultimately leading to her retirement.
Death and Legacy
Frances Gifford passed away on January 22, 1994, in Pasadena, California, due to emphysema. Despite the difficulties she faced in her later years, including spending time in a mental hospital, she was found working at a city library in 1983. Her contributions to film, particularly in the adventure and drama genres, are still remembered today.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Mr. Smith Goes to Washington | 1939-10-19 | Hopper Girl (uncredited) |
| American Empire | 1942-12-11 | Abigail ‘Abby’ Taylor, Dan’s Sister |
| The Reluctant Dragon | 1941-06-19 | Doris |
| The Arnelo Affair | 1947-02-13 | Anne Parkson |
| Having Wonderful Time | 1938-07-01 | Salesgirl (uncredited) |
| The Glass Key | 1942-09-08 | Nurse |
| Border Vigilantes | 1941-04-18 | Helen Forbes |
| Cry ‘Havoc’ | 1943-11-23 | Helen |
| Tarzan Triumphs | 1943-01-20 | Zandra |
| Sky Commando | 1953-08-21 | Jo McWethy |
| Star Spangled Rhythm | 1942-03-05 | Frances Gifford (uncredited) |
| Our Vines Have Tender Grapes | 1945-09-06 | Viola Johnson |
| Riding High | 1950-04-12 | Margaret Higgins |
| Little Mister Jim | 1947-04-01 | Jean Tukker |
| Hold That Woman! | 1940-06-28 | Mary Mulvaney |
| Jungle Girl | 1941-06-21 | Nyoka Meredith |
| Thrill of a Romance | 1945-05-23 | Maude Bancroft |
| She Went to the Races | 1945-11-04 | Dr. Ann Wotters |
| Living on Love | 1937-11-12 | Bus Passenger |
| Night Spot | 1938-02-25 | Nightclub Patron |
| New Faces of 1937 | 1937-07-02 | Showgirl |
| Henry Aldrich Gets Glamour | 1943-04-30 | Hilary Dane |
| Tombstone: The Town Too Tough to Die | 1942-06-13 | Ruth Grant |
| Beyond the Blue Horizon | 1942-06-25 | Charlotte (uncredited) |
| West Point Widow | 1941-06-20 | Daphne |
| Mercy Plane | 1939-12-04 | Brenda Gordon |
| My Heart Belongs to Daddy | 1942-11-07 | Grace Saunders |
| Luxury Liner | 1948-11-09 | Laura Dene |
| Forty Little Mothers | 1940-04-26 | Granville Girl |
| There Goes the Groom | 1937-10-29 | Undetermined Role (uncredited) |
| The Remarkable Andrew | 1942-03-05 | Miss Halsey |
| Twenty Years After | 1944-01-01 | (archive footage) |
| Marriage Is a Private Affair | 1944-08-23 | Sissy Mortimer |
| Walt Disney’s Fables – Vol.6 | 2004-05-31 | Doris (archive sound) |
| Maid’s Night Out | 1938-03-03 | Ticket Seller – Octopus Concession (uncredited) |
| Stage Door | 1937-10-08 | Mary McGuire (uncredited) |
| General Electric Theater | 1953-02-01 | Evelyn Crewes |