Frances Farmer, a great beauty and a top stage and screen actress of the 1930's, died of cancer of the esophagus Aug. 1 in Indianapolis, where she hosted a popular movie program on the NBC outlet, WFBM-TV, from 1958 through 1964; acted at Purdue U., and, for the past year, was working on her memoirs.  She was 56.  Frances' first major role was opposite Bing Crosby in Rhythm On The Range ('36), followed by a starring role in Come And Get It (with Joel McCrea and Walter Brennan).  In 1937 she starred in Bwy.'s original Golden Boy; made several other films before alcoholic problems and headlined clashes with the law led to her confinement in mental hospitals from 1944 to 1950.  She attempted a comeback - doing The Chalk Garden, in stock; appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show as a folk singer.  She was three times married (first to actor Leif Erickson) and divorced.