Skip to main content
David Frankham
★ Acting

David Frankham

Born 1926 · Kent, England · Active 1950–2021

David Frankham, born in 1926, made a significant mark in cult cinema with his roles in Return of the Fly (1959) and Tales of Terror (1962). After moving to Hollywood in 1955, he quickly established himself as a reliable character actor, often appearing in genre films that defined the era. In King Rat (1965), he further showcased his range, contributing to the gritty narratives that captivated audiences. Frankham's work in these films highlights his ability to navigate the darker themes of cult cinema, making him a notable presence in the genre.

▶ Watch on SassyFlix 3 films available
Return of the Fly

Return of the Fly

1959 ★ 5.8
as Ronald Holmes, alias Alan Hinds

Now an adult, Phillipe Delambre (Brett Halsey) is determined to vindicate his father by successfully completing the experiment he had worked on. His uncle François (Vincent Price) refuses to help. Phillipe hires Alan Hinds from Delambre Frere and uses his own finances, but the funds run out before the equipment is complete. When Phillipe threatens to sell his half of Delambre Frere, François relents and funds the completion. After some adjustments, they use the transporter to "store" and later re-materialize test animals. Alan Hinds turns out to be Ronald Holmes, an industrial spy. Holmes tries to sell the secrets to a shadowy cohort named Max. Before Holmes can get away with the papers, a British agent confronts him. Holmes knocks him out and uses the transporter to "store" the body. When rematerialized, the agent has the paws of a guinea pig that had been disintegrated earlier, and the guinea pig has human hands. Holmes kills the rodent and puts the dead agent in his car, which he sends into the Saint Lawrence River. Phillipe confronts Holmes about all the oddities, with a fight ensuing and Phillipe being knocked out. Holmes hides Phillipe the same way he did the agent, but in a twist of malice he catches a fly and adds it to the transporter with him. François re-materializes Phillipe, but with a giant fly head, arm and leg (whereas the tiny fly has his head, arm and leg). The fly-headed Phillipe runs into the night, tracking down and killing Max. He waits for Holmes to arrive and kills him, too, then returns home, where Inspector Beecham has found and captured the Phillipe-headed fly. Both are placed in the device together and successfully reintegrated, restoring Phillipe to his normal human form.

Watch Now
Career Highlights Top 6 by popularity · TMDB

Filmography

35 credits
2010s 1 credit
2016
Movie ★ 7.0
1990s 1 credit
1993
Movie ★ 4.6
1970s 5 credits
1979
The Great Santini as Capt. Weber
Movie ★ 6.8
1974
Winter Kill as Rev. Phillips
Movie ★ 7.2
1974
TV ★ 7.3
1973
The Magician as Derek Sheffield
TV ★ 6.8
1972
The Waltons as Neville Chamberlain (voice)
TV ★ 7.2
1960s 17 credits
1966
Star Trek as Larry Marvick
TV ★ 8.0
1965
Movie ★ 7.1
1965
The F.B.I. as Stirling Grant
TV ★ 5.6
1964
TV ★ 7.1
1964
12 O'Clock High as Col. Percy Vivyan
TV ★ 7.2
1964
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. as 2nd Lieutenant
TV ★ 7.1
1963
The Outer Limits as Capt. Terrence Ralph Brookman
TV ★ 7.8
1963
The Outer Limits as Harvey Kry Jr.
TV ★ 7.8
1962
Tales of Terror as Dr. James ("The Case of M. Valdemar")
Movie ★ 6.7
1962
TV ★ 6.9
1962
The Beverly Hillbillies as Lieutenant Richards
TV ★ 6.9
1962
TV ★ 7.8
1961
One Hundred and One Dalmatians as Sergeant Tibbs (voice)
Movie ★ 7.2
1961
Master of the World as Phillip Evans
Movie ★ 6.0
1960
Ten Who Dared as Frank Goodman
Movie ★ 6.0
1960
Surfside 6 as Ian Smallens
TV ★ 6.3
1960
Thriller as Proctor
TV ★ 6.7
1950s 10 credits
1959
Return of the Fly as Ronald Holmes, alias Alan Hinds
Movie ★ 6.1
1959
TV ★ 6.3
1959
TV ★ 7.4
1957
Maverick as Captain Fitzgerald
TV ★ 6.9
1956
TV ★ 6.7
1955
TV ★ 5.2
1955
TV ★ 7.8
1955
TV ★ 7.8
1954
TV ★ 8.0
1950
TV ★ 7.8