Alec B. Francis
Alec B. Francis was an English actor, largely of the silent era. He appeared in more than 240 films between 1911 and 1934.
Biography
Francis was born in Suffolk, England. He studied law at Uppingham College in England and practiced with a legal firm in London.
Disliking legal work, Francis joined a stock theater company for which he played bit parts, and was baggage master and property man. He eventually came under contract with a touring company headed by Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Kendall, acting in leading roles in England, India, South Africa, and the United States. He also performed in vaudeville.
Francis served twice in the military, once for Britain and once for the United States. He was in India for a four-year tour of duty with the British Royal Horse Artillery, and He was a nurse with American forces during the Spanish-American War.
Although Francis tried farming after his service as a nurse, he returned to acting and appeared in some plays, including musical productions in which he sang as a baritone. He began acting in films in 1913 and worked for Vitagraph, World, and other film studios.
Francis died in Hollywood Hospital in Hollywood, California, on 6 July 1934, three days after emergency abdominal surgery. His funeral was held at St. Athanasius Episcopal Church in Los Angeles, and his remains cremated.
Selected filmography
Waiting at the Church – Con Artist Suitor The Military Air-Scout – Commander Arthur – Marie's FatherA Reformed Santa Claus Saved from the Titanic – FatherRobin Hood – Sheriff of NottinghamThe Man of the Hour – George GarrisonWhen Broadway Was a Trail – Standish HopeThe Wishing Ring: An Idyll of Old England – The Earl of BatesonLola – Dr. BarnhelunThe Pit – CresslerAlias Jimmy Valentine – Bill AveryThe Arrival of Perpetua – Hastings CurzonThe Model – Hugh SeymourAfter Dark – Capt. Frank Dalton, Old TomThe Impostor – Noel FerrersThe Ballet Girl – Jerry VergoeFruits of Desire – Jeremiah QuimbyThe Yellow Passport – Myron AbramThe Pawn of Fate – Abbé PaulHuman Driftwood – Father HarriganTangled Fates – Mr. RogersThe Perils of Divorce – CraigMiss Petticoats – Worth CourtleighA Woman's Way – General John StantonHusband and Wife – James WatsonThe Gilded Cage – King ComusThe Heart of a Hero – Col. KnowltonAll Man – John MaynardA Hungry Heart The Cinderella Man The Family Honor The Page Mystery Forget Me Not The Auction Block The Venus Model The Marionettes The Glorious Adventure Thirty a Week The Face in the Dark Day Dreams Her Code of Honor Spotlight Sadie The Probation Wife Lord and Lady Algy When Doctors Disagree The World and Its Woman The City of Comrades Heartsease Flame of the Desert The Pest The Butterfly Man The Paliser Case Earthbound Godless Men The Great Moment A Voice in the Dark Courage North of the Rio Grande Beyond the Rocks The Forgotten Law Is Divorce a Failure? The Spider and the Rose The Drivin' Fool The Last Hour A Gentleman of Leisure Mary of the Movies – cameoThree Wise Fools The Gold Diggers The Eternal Three Beau Brummel Listen Lester The Tenth Woman A Fool's Awakening Do It Now Capital Punishment A Thief in Paradise Waking Up the Town Soiled Champion of Lost Causes The Mad Whirl Charley's Aunt Man and Maid The Coast of Folly Where the Worst Begins The Circle Thank You Rose of the World Wandering Footsteps Outwitted The Reckless Sex The Yankee Señor Transcontinental Limited High Steppers Tramp, Tramp, Tramp Pals First 3 Bad Men Forever After The Return of Peter Grimm Camille The Tender Hour Sally in Our Alley The Little Snob The Lion and the Mouse Life's Mockery The Terror The Shepherd of the Hills Evangeline Evidence The Sacred Flame The Mississippi Gambler The Bishop Murder Case The Case of Sergeant Grischa Murder Will Out Outward Bound Feet First Captain Applejack Stout Hearts and Willing Hands Mata Hari as Major CaronArrowsmith The Last Mile Alias Mary Smith The Last Man Oliver Twist Looking Forward His Private Secretary Alice in Wonderland