Frank McCarthy (producer) facts for kids

Frank McCarthy (born June 8, 1912 – died December 1, 1986) was an important person during World War II. He worked for the United States Department of War. After the war, he became a famous film producer. His movie Patton won the top award, the Academy Award for Best Picture, in 1970.

Frank McCarthy's Early Life and Career

Growing Up and Starting Out (1912–1940)

Frank McCarthy was born in Richmond, Virginia, on June 8, 1912. He went to John Marshall High School. Later, he studied at the Virginia Military Institute, finishing in 1933.

After college, McCarthy became a reporter for a newspaper called the Richmond News Leader. He then moved to New York City. There, he worked as a press agent for George Abbott, a well-known Broadway producer. McCarthy helped promote Abbott's play Brother Rat (1937). This play was a funny story about students at the Virginia Military Institute.

In 1938, Brother Rat was made into a movie. A young actor named Ronald Reagan had a small part in it. While making this film, Reagan met his future wife, Jane Wyman.

Serving in World War II (1940–1945)

In 1940, after Nazi Germany invaded France, Frank McCarthy joined the United States Army Reserve. By 1941, he had become a colonel. He worked closely with General George C. Marshall, who was the head of the U.S. Army.

From 1943 to 1945, McCarthy was the secretary of the General Staff for the United States Department of War. This was a very important job during World War II. For his excellent service, McCarthy received several special awards. These included the Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit. He also received an honor from the British government. When he left the Army, he was a brigadier general.

Right after the war ended, President of the United States Harry Truman gave McCarthy another important role. He became the Assistant Secretary of State for Administration. At 33 years old, McCarthy was the youngest person ever to hold this position. However, he only held the job for a short time in 1945.

Frank McCarthy's Film Career

Becoming a Film Producer (1945–1986)

After his time in the government, Frank McCarthy moved to Hollywood. He started a new career as a film producer. He worked for big studios like 20th Century Fox and Universal Studios.

In 1951, a spy movie he produced, Decision Before Dawn, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture. He also produced other movies like Sailor of the King (1953) and A Guide for the Married Man (1967).

The Movie Patton

McCarthy spent almost twenty years working on a movie about General George S. Patton. This film, called Patton, came out in 1970. It was directed by Franklin J. Schaffner. George C. Scott played General Patton.

In 1971, Patton won many awards at the 43rd Academy Awards. McCarthy, as the producer, accepted the Academy Award for Best Picture. Schaffner won for Best Director, and Scott won for Best Actor. Scott chose not to attend the awards ceremony. So, McCarthy accepted Scott's Oscar for him. The next day, Scott famously refused his Oscar. McCarthy then returned the award to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Later Film Projects

After Patton, McCarthy continued to work on movie ideas. He produced an early TV movie called Fireball Forward in 1972. In 1977, he produced another war film, MacArthur. This movie told the story of General Douglas MacArthur and starred Gregory Peck.

Frank McCarthy passed away on December 1, 1986, at the age of 74.