Frank Bannister

* 1996
* 1990

**Frank Bannister** is a psychic investigator who used to be an architect until the death of his wife, Debra, on July 3, 1990. After the two were involved in a car accident that occurred right before her death, Frank was able to see spirits. In 1996, serial killer Johnny Bartlett returned in the guise of the Soul Collector to continue his murder spree along with his girlfriend, Patricia Bradley. Frank, along with Lucy Lynskey, were able to put a stop to their spree and help send them to Hell.

## Biography

### Early life

At some point in his life, Frank became an architect and met a woman named Debra. The two eventually married and began to plan the construction of their home. On July 3, 1990, the two had an argument over a decision regarding their new home. Frank had installed a basketball court when Debra had hoped to add in a garden. Later that day, the two were arguing in the car when they left the road and crashed.

Frank watched on as the spirit of Johnny Bartlett, under the guise of the Soul Collector, clutched Debra's heart and robbed her of her life. Frank then saw Patricia Bradley join Johnny, who had left his disguise and watched Patricia carve the number 13 into Debra's forehead. From that day forward, Frank would continue to be able to see spirits and eventually left his career as an architect.

He would go on to meet the Judge, Stuart and Cyrus, who would use their abilities to frighten others. This would cause those targeted to call Frank, who had become a psychic investigator and made a living off of the hauntings. Frank would later add a garden on top of the aforementioned basketball court and would have trouble finishing his home after Debra's death.

### Johnny Bartlett's return

#### Meeting Ray and Lucy Lynskey

In 1996, Frank attended a funeral where he threw multiple business cards on the ground. After recklessly driving and becoming distracted, Frank was involved in a car crash that ended up destroying a part of Ray and Lucy Lynskey's fence. Ray exited his home in shock, arguing with Frank about the damages. Frank left Ray his business card, which also left information about Frank's business as a psychic investigator. Ray continued to berate Frank, who drove away from the house, intentionally backing over Ray's lawn art.

Ray and Lucy were later spending time together in their bedroom when items around their home became possessed, caused by Cyrus and Stuart. With Ray's objections, Lucy insisted that they call Frank to investigate the paranormal activity. Frank arrived and made his way through the house, spraying holy water from a squirt gun and informing the couple of the damages and the cost of his services.

"*What's with the number?*"
―Frank to Ray about the number marked on Ray's forehead. [src]

Frank offered the couple a deal to call it even if they forget about the damage to the fence, which upset Ray. As the there continued their conversation, with Lucy being more open to Frank's questions and investigation, Frank soon became concerned after he saw the number 37 spiritually marked on Ray's forehead, similar to the one carved into Debra's forehead after her death, which was not visible to Ray or Lucy. Soon after, Ray had Frank leave the house, aiming Frank's squirt gun at him before Lucy returned it to Frank.

After Frank left, Ray eventually felt his heart being squeezed, making it difficult for him to breathe, which in reality was the spirit of Johnny Bartlett taking his life as his thirty-seventh victim. After his death, Ray became a spirit and later encountered Frank on the sidewalk. Realizing that Frank could see him, he informed Frank of what had happened and was told of the realities of his new life.

#### Ending the spree

Frank was strangled to death by Patricia with a shotgun. The portal to Heaven then opened for Frank's spirit. Frank then dragged Patricia into the portal along with him. Johnny soon gave chase and then grabbed Patricia back from Frank, who ascended to Heaven. Frank was then greeted by Cyrus and Stuart as Johnny and Patricia were trapped inside the portal and dragged to Hell.

"*You see, the authorities have informed us that it's just not your time.*"
"*Start livin', dude.*"
"*Be happy.*"
―Stuart, Cyrus and Debra Bannister upon Frank's return to Earth. [src]

Soon afterwords, Debra arrived and greeted Frank. Ready to reunite with his wife, Frank was told by Stuart that it wasn't yet his time and was sent back to Earth, with Debra wishing him to be happy. Frank awoke back inside his body, with Lucy there to greet him. The two shared a moment of relief that their horrible encounter with Johnny and Patricia was now over.

### Moving on

At a later point and ready to move on, Frank had his home demolished as he watched with Lucy during a picnic. Sheriff Perry arrived and informed them as to how Patricia had brought Johnny back from Hell. Noticing that Milton had been in the backseat of Perry's police car, Frank made a reference to his new passenger, with Perry believing it to be a joke. Perry then left as Milton angrily looked at Frank.

Lucy came from behind Frank and told him that Dammers looked pissed, revealing that after her near-death experiences, that she was also now able to see spirits. Lucy jokingly wrapped herself in the blanket that the two had used for the picnic and lovingly chased Frank, now making light of their encounters with Johnny's Soul Collector appearance.

## Other characters

### Characters met

* Johnny Bartlett
* Debra Bannister
* Patricia Bradley
* Cyrus
* Milton Dammers
* Hiles
* Lucy Lynskey
* Ray Lynskey
* Walt Perry
* Stuart

## Personality

Frank is determined, caring and selfless, but has also been known to deceive people. In 1996, he was running a psychic investigation business and even though he did indeed have contact with spirits, he worked with the spirits to get himself more work, often having items moved around to appear as if they were possessed, when in reality, they were being moved by Frank's spirit associates. Though he did profit from his business, he did use his gifts to help Lucy Lynskey investigate and put an end to the murders committed by the Soul Collector, later revealed to be a resurrected Johnny Bartlett and his girlfriend, Patricia Bradley.

Frank was also traumatized after the death of his wife, Debra, in 1990. He built a garden in her honor at their unfinished home in the area that was used as his basketball court. Frank would eventually come to terms with his wife's death after encountering her in the afterlife, in 1996, before returning to Earth to be with Lucy.

## Behind the Scenes

Frank Bannister was portrayed by Michael J. Fox in *The Frighteners*.

### Appearances

1. *The Frighteners* (first appearance)