Frankie Thomas
"Tom Corbett"
Introduction
Final Rest
May 16, 2006
Cadet Memories
Rory Coker
Chuck Lassen
Tim Young
Marty Baumann
|
Cadet
Memories of
Frankie Thomas - Tom Corbett Space Cadet April 9, 1921 - May 11, 2006 |.. Memorial opening page ... Tom Corbett page ... Solar Guard Home ... | Other Links honoring Frankie A Childhood Hero, A Friend Today  When
I first saw "Tom Corbett, Space Cadet" on TV in 1950, I was fascinated. I was just the right age
(nine) to get into this space saga, and rarely missed an episode. Frankie Thomas Jr., as Tom Corbett, was a hero
and a role model to me and thousands of other kids across the country. He
played the character in a most convincing way, and I almost felt that I knew
him way back then.
In recent years, I have come to really know him, and am enriched by the experience. In reality, he was much like the character he played- he was talented and skilled, with a genuine, heartwarming and friendly, outgoing personality. He cared about his fans and always had time to talk with each and every one of those he met at many film festivals and conventions. The era of Tom Corbett has finally ended, but Frankie will be fondly remembered by thousands of grown-up kids like me, who were there for those wonderful days "In the Age of the Conquest of Space!" Spaceman's Luck, Frankie, and Godspeed.... Chuck Lassen |
We
had many interesting phone conversations and exchanges of letters and e-mails, during which he would
eagerly provide me with details looking behind the scenes of the movies and TV shows he starred in. It was this
information, and the many historical photos he sent me, that led me to write several articles about his work that were
published in FilmFax magazine a few years ago. I had never thought of myself as an author, but Frankie encouraged
me to go for it, so I did, and it worked! He never stopped being
a mentor and inspiration to me.