Sandy Frank
Encyclopedia
Sandy Frank is an American television producer and international TV program distributor as well as a marketer of TV shows to US networks.
, subsequently moving on to Guild Films, and NBC television. He landed the key position of Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales with the television division of the Wrather Corporation, which produced and distributed the Lassie
and Lone Ranger TV programs.
In 1964, he opened his first company, Sandy Frank Program Sales, Inc., and his first distribution successes were You Asked For It
and Lassie (which he had acquired the rights for from the Wrather Corp.).
, The Dating Game
, The Bobby Vinton Show
, Treasure Hunt, and Lee Mendelson's Superstar Specials (Lee Mendelson
created and produced the classic Charlie Brown
specials).
Sandy Frank later produced and distributed Name That Tune
and Battle of the Planets. Frank was also the leading distributor of travel adventure shows including America, High and Wild, Across the Seven Seas, The Traveler, American West, etc.
was an American animated television adaptation of the Japanese anime series Gatchaman. Of the 105 original Gatchaman episodes, 85 were used in the Battle of the Planets adaptation, produced by Sandy Frank Entertainment in 1978. The outer space series was distributed worldwide in over 100 countries as well as stripped on in over 90 stations in US syndication.
, where some of the company's dubs of Japanese films were lampooned. They summed their thoughts up of the company in a song entitled "The Sandy Frank Song".
in the USA and Sony in the international marketplace. Currently, SFE is marketing DANGEROUS MINDS (hosted by Rudy Giuliani
) for Primetime Network, (an anti terror TV series), YOU ASKED FOR IT, for Prime Time Network, and FACE THE MUSIC, which is being re-launched in a new prime time version.
Early life and career
Frank started his career as a sales executive for Paramount PicturesParamount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
, subsequently moving on to Guild Films, and NBC television. He landed the key position of Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales with the television division of the Wrather Corporation, which produced and distributed the Lassie
Lassie
Lassie is a fictional collie dog character created by Eric Knight in a short story expanded to novel length called Lassie Come-Home. Published in 1940, the novel was filmed by MGM in 1943 as Lassie Come Home with a dog named Pal playing Lassie. Pal then appeared with the stage name "Lassie" in six...
and Lone Ranger TV programs.
In 1964, he opened his first company, Sandy Frank Program Sales, Inc., and his first distribution successes were You Asked For It
You Asked For It
You Asked for It is a popular human-interest show created and hosted by Art Baker. Initially titled The Art Baker Show, the program originally aired on American television between 1950 and 1959...
and Lassie (which he had acquired the rights for from the Wrather Corp.).
Sandy Frank Entertainment
Frank's Company also sold the original, off-network, half-hour Bill Cosby ShowThe Bill Cosby Show
The Bill Cosby Show is an American situation comedy that aired for two seasons on NBC's Sunday night schedule from 1969 until 1971, under the sponsorship of Procter & Gamble. There were 52 episodes made in the series. It marked Cosby's first solo foray in television, after his co-starring role with...
, The Dating Game
The Dating Game
The Dating Game is an ABC television show that first aired on December 20, 1965 and was the first of many shows created and packaged by Chuck Barris from the 1960s through the 1980s...
, The Bobby Vinton Show
The Bobby Vinton Show
The Bobby Vinton Show was a Canadian musical variety television series produced for the CTV Television Network between 1975 and 1978, with a total of 52 episodes broadcast. Starring Bobby Vinton, a best selling pop singer since the early 1960s, the series mixed comedy skits with musical interludes....
, Treasure Hunt, and Lee Mendelson's Superstar Specials (Lee Mendelson
Lee Mendelson
Lee Mendelson is an American television producer. He is best known as the executive producer of the many Peanuts animated specials....
created and produced the classic Charlie Brown
Charlie Brown
Charles "Charlie" Brown is the protagonist in the comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz.Charlie Brown and his creator have a common connection in that they are both the sons of barbers, but whereas Schulz's work is described as the "most shining example of the American success story", Charlie...
specials).
Sandy Frank later produced and distributed Name That Tune
Name That Tune
Name That Tune is a television game show that put two contestants against each other to test their knowledge of songs. Premiering in the United States on NBC Radio in 1952, the show was created and produced by Harry Salter and his wife Roberta....
and Battle of the Planets. Frank was also the leading distributor of travel adventure shows including America, High and Wild, Across the Seven Seas, The Traveler, American West, etc.
Battle of the Planets
Battle of the PlanetsBattle of the Planets
Battle of the Planets is an American animated television adaptation of the Japanese anime series Science Ninja Team Gatchaman . Of the 105 original Gatchaman episodes, 85 were used in the Battle of the Planets adaptation, produced by Sandy Frank Entertainment...
was an American animated television adaptation of the Japanese anime series Gatchaman. Of the 105 original Gatchaman episodes, 85 were used in the Battle of the Planets adaptation, produced by Sandy Frank Entertainment in 1978. The outer space series was distributed worldwide in over 100 countries as well as stripped on in over 90 stations in US syndication.
Mystery Science Theater 3000
Frank's company is also well-known for its frequent appearances on Mystery Science Theater 3000Mystery Science Theater 3000
Mystery Science Theater 3000 is an American cult television comedy series created by Joel Hodgson and produced by Best Brains, Inc., that ran from 1988 to 1999....
, where some of the company's dubs of Japanese films were lampooned. They summed their thoughts up of the company in a song entitled "The Sandy Frank Song".
Recent alliances
In 2011, Frank has formed alliances with a number of companies such as The AsylumThe Asylum
The Asylum is an American film studio and distributor which focuses on producing low-budget, usually direct-to-video productions. The studio has produced titles that capitalize on productions by major studios; these titles have been dubbed "mockbusters" by the press.-History:The Asylum was founded...
in the USA and Sony in the international marketplace. Currently, SFE is marketing DANGEROUS MINDS (hosted by Rudy Giuliani
Rudy Giuliani
Rudolph William Louis "Rudy" Giuliani KBE is an American lawyer, businessman, and politician from New York. He served as Mayor of New York City from 1994 to 2001....
) for Primetime Network, (an anti terror TV series), YOU ASKED FOR IT, for Prime Time Network, and FACE THE MUSIC, which is being re-launched in a new prime time version.