Stage: Appeared (as "Ah Sing") in "Keeper of the Keys" on Broadway. Drama. Written by Valentine Davies. Based on a novel by Earl Derr Biggers. Fulton Theatre: 18 Oct 1933-Nov 1933 (closing date unknown/23 performances). Cast: Roberta Beatty, Romaine Callender (as "Dr. Frederick Swan"), Aristides de Leoni, Ruth Easton, William Harrigan (as "Insp. Charlie Chan"), Robert Lynn, Warren Parker, Roy Roberts (as "Don Holt"), Howard St. John, Elwood K. Thomas, Fleming Ward (as "Dudley Ward"). Produced by Sigourney Thayer.
In 1971 the original Alice Cooper Group, being greatly inspired by
Frye's "Renfield" character in Dracula (1931), further
immortalized him in their song "The Ballad of Dwight Fry" (without
the "e"). The nearly seven-minute conceptual composition appears on their
"Love It To Death" album.
[in the 1930s, regarding his typecasting] If God is good, I will be able to play comedy, in which I was featured on Broadway for eight seasons, and in which no producer of motion pictures will give me a chance! And, please, God, may it be before I go screwy playing idiots, half-wits and lunatics on the talking screen!
ट्रेडमार्क
Often portrayed deeply mentally disturbed individuals or ones with excessive oddities
