Franklin "Pete" Adreon (born Franklyn Adreon,Franklyn Adreon's professional resumé, published in International Motion Picture Almanac, Quigley Publications, 1946, pp. 1-2. November 18, 1902 – September 10, 1979) was an American film and television director, producer, screenwriter, and actor. He is best known to film buffs as the longtime producer of Republic Pictures' serials.
Early life and career Born in Gambrills, Maryland, Franklyn Adreon (pronounced "AD-re-on")As spoken in the 1939 serial Dick Tracy's G-Men. began his career as a bond salesman before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 1931. After his four-year enlistment he remained on call as a Marine Reservist during the 1930s, and served in the United States Marine Corps in World War II. Stationed initially with the 6th Marines in Iceland, Major Adreon was put in charge of the Marine Corps' photographic unit at Quantico, and produced military training films.Adreon resume, 1946.
Adreon entered motion pictures in 1935 with Mascot Pictures as a technical advisor on the serial The Fighting Marines (in which he also appeared in the role of Captain Holmes). This led to a post as an assistant director, which he held while the studio was absorbed by Republic Pictures in 1936. In 1937 Adreon became a screenwriter, collaborating on the scripts of Republic's serials. He worked with serial director William Witney, who also served in the Marines during the war.
Adreon soon became the head of Republic's serial unit, and produced many hit serials, with his first name now billed as "Franklin". After the unit's resident director Fred C. Brannon died in April 1953, Adreon took over Brannon's duties himself and both produced and directed the serials until the studio ceased serial production in 1955.
He stayed with Republic as a director, producer, and writer on various television series and films. When the studio halted production in 1957, Adreon moved to Warner Bros. as a director, and worked on its popular TV series, including Maverick and Sugarfoot. Adreon kept busy with western and action assignments until 1966, when he retired at age 63.
Franklin Adreon died on September 10, 1979, in Thousand Oaks, California, at the age of 76.ADREON: WILLIAM, CHARLES, ROBERT - people search, genealogy, find deceased relatives and locate ancestors Retrieved December 9, 2016.
Selected filmography Film Year Film Notes 1937 S.O.S. Coast Guard Original screenplay 1938 The Fighting Devil Dogs Original screenplay 1939 Zorro's Fighting Legion Original screenplay 1940 Adventures of Red Ryder Original screenplayCredited as Franklyn Adreon 1947 Jesse James Rides Again Original screenplay 1948 Adventures of Frank and Jesse James Associate producer 1949 Ghost of Zorro Associate producer 1950 The Invisible Monster Associate producer 1951 Government Agents vs Phantom Legion Associate producer 1952 Zombies of the Stratosphere Associate producer 1953 Canadian Mounties vs. Atomic Invaders Director, associate producer 1954 Trader Tom of the China Seas Director, associate producer 1955 King of the Carnival Director, associate producer 1956 The Man is Armed Director 1962 The Nun and the Sergeant Director 1966 Dimension 5 Director 1966 Cyborg 2087 DirectorAlternative title: Man from Tomorrow Television Year Title Notes 1955 Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe Associate producer, 12 episodes 1957 Cheyenne Director, 2 episodes1957–1958 Maverick Director, 2 episodes Colt .45 Director, 4 episodes Sugarfoot Director, 10 episodes 1958 Frontier Doctor Director, 2 episodes1958–1959 26 Men Director, 2 episodes Lassie Director, 14 episodes The Rough Riders Director, 5 episodes 1959–1960 Tombstone Territory Director, 5 episodes1960 Pony Express Director, 1 episode Men into Space Director, 1 episode Lock-Up Director, 3 episodes Shotgun Slade Director, 2 episodes Gunsmoke Director, 1 episode 1960–1961 Bat Masterson Director, 5 episodes1961 Ripcord Director, 1 episode The Tall Man Director, 1 episode
References
External links