Frankie Burke

Frankie Vasalle was a kid from the tough area of East Brooklyn, New York during the Great Depression. He had big dreams of escaping the poverty of his surroundings. He went to Public School 25 and Alexander Hamilton High School (now known as Eubie Blake Elementary and Paul Robeson Business Tech, respectively).

He sold newspapers on the corners to make money to go to movies to help him escape the harsh realities of life. He found that he really liked actor James Cagney, who Frankie resembled a great deal. James Cagney was tough but good, at the same time, in the roles he created on screen. And Frankie wanted to be like him. Frankie wanted to meet his hero.

One day, Frankie decided to leave school to stow away on a freight train, bound for California, to try and meet his hero, but the attempt failed and he returned home to Brooklyn. However, Frank was a tenacious, strong-willed fellow, so he tried again. Not having much money, knowing no one in California, not having any support at all, all he had was his will to keep him going and he made it. Though, a second attempt to meet his hero failed, as well. But Frankie stayed on in Hollywood. He wasn't ready to give up, just yet.

Frankie got a job doing impersonations of his hero and, as luck would have it, the angels were smiling down on Frankie and his dogged determination and he was spotted by a talent scout for Warner Brothers studios, who were looking to cast a young performer in a film called "Angels with dirty faces"...as none other than the youthful version of the character that James Cagney, himself, would portray.

Frankie finally got to meet his hero and, because of his amazing resemblance, continue to be associated with Mr. Cagney throughout the remainder of history. Frankie not only got to meet his hero, but work with him and be forever linked with him. Now, Frankie is MY hero, because he showed me that, when you want something badly enough and work hard enough to get it, you CAN obtain it. A poor kid from the inner city with nothing to lose and everything to gain, he went for his dream and got it. Youre my hero, Frankie.