Frankie Doodle

Frankie Doodle
Author(s)	Ben Batsford
Current status/schedule	Completed
Launch date	April 23, 1934
End date	1938
Syndicate(s)	United Feature Syndicate

Frankie Doodle, originally called The Doodle Family, is an American comic strip that ran from April 23, 1934, to 1938.[1] It was created by Ben Batsford.[2][3][4][5]

Frankie was the main character even when he lived with his family. However, they were all written out by 1935.[3] Frankie is pursued throughout the strips by Mr. Shady, a disreputable lawyer who is after the fortune to which he is heir, and Mrs. Krule, who runs an orphanage. He has two Chinese mentors: Ming Low, a cook, and Captain Ku, a secret agent. He often has adventures in Chinatown, the North Woods, and the Wild West. The strip ran in 87 newspapers.[5]

The strip was influenced by Little Orphan Annie[6] - Frankie even has curly red hair. Ben Batsford had previously worked on Little Annie Rooney, which was also influenced by Little Orphan Annie.[2]

References

1. Holtz, Allan (2012). American Newspaper Comics: An Encyclopedic Reference Guide. Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan Press. p. 161. ISBN 9780472117567.
2. Goulart, Ron (1991). The Encyclopedia of American Comics: From 1897 to the Present. Reed Business Information, Inc. ISBN 9780816025824. OL 9411789M.
3. Markstein, Donald D. (2008). "Frankie Doodle". Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Archived from the original on March 7, 2015.
4. Holtz, Allan (August 21, 2006). "Obscurity of the Day: Susie Sunshine". strippersguide.blogspot.com.
5. Variety Radio Directory, Volume 1. 1937. Frankie Doodle (daily) ... Ben Batsford ... 87 newspapers {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
6. The American News Trade Journal, Volumes 21-23. American News Co., inc. 1939. Frankie might be likened to a hemale Orphan Annie.