Franklin L. Thistle was a Canadian-born actor best known for his work in the early days of silent films. He was born in Vancouver in 1885 and began his career performing on the stage in the early 1900s. He moved to Los Angeles in 1910 and quickly began appearing in small roles in films.
Thistle's first major role was in the 1913 film The Telephone Girl, in which he played the lead role. This was followed by roles in several more films, including The Count of Monte Cristo (1914) and The Great Adventure (1917). He also appeared in a number of short films, often in comedic roles.
Thistle's career began to slow down in the 1920s, as most of the major studios began to produce sound films. He continued to act in small roles, but his biggest success came in the early 1930s when he appeared in a number of popular musical films, such as Don't Bet on Women (1932), Flying High (1933), and Swing Time (1936).
Thistle was an important figure in the early days of film and his work helped to define the genre. He often worked with the greatest directors of the time, such as Frank Capra, Ernst Lubitsch, and William A. Wellman. His performances were well-received by audiences and critics alike.
Thistle continued to act until the late 1940s, appearing in films such as The Cat and the Canary (1939) and The Glass Key (1942). He also worked in television and radio dramas and appeared in a few Broadway productions.
Franklin L. Thistle died in 1949, at the age of 64. He left behind an impressive legacy, having appeared in over 70 films during his career. He was one of the earliest stars of silent films, and his performances helped to define the genre. He will always be remembered as a pioneer of the motion picture industry.
