Frank Leighton (1908–1962) was an Australian actor best known for two leading roles in films for Ken G. Hall, Thoroughbred (1936) and Tall Timbers (1937).
Biography Leighton was born in Sydney and studied at St John's School, Darlinghurst, before winning a scholarship to Cleveland Boys High School. He was working for his father when he heard the theatrical firm J.C. Williamson Ltd were conducting voice trials at Her Majesty's Theatre. He auditioned and three months later was employed by the company in a production of The Lady of the Rose.'Frank Leighton Leading Man', Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton), Friday 19 June 1936 p5 He worked for Williamsons over the next 13 years, acting in dramas, comedies and musicals, including productions of Blue Roses, Hold My Hand, Our Miss Gibbs, The Quaker Girl, The Merry Widow and The Maid of the Mountains opposite Gladys Moncrieff. He understudied for visiting star William Feversham in a production of The Prince and the Pauper.'IN SEARCH OF FAME, AN ACTOR'S AMBITION' The West Australian (Perth), Tuesday 27 April 193 p 11
Leighton also acted in movies, starting with Two Minutes Silence (1933). His most notable credits were leading roles in Thoroughbred (1936) and Tall Timbers (1937) for Cinesound Productions. He sang briefly in Tall Timbers where he was called "a solid hero". His co-star in Thoroughbred was Helen Twelvetrees with whom Ken G. Hall claims Leighton had an affair during filming.Ken G. Hall, Directed by Ken G Hall, Lansdowne Press, 1977 p 105.
Later career Leighton moved to London in 1937,http://colsearch.nfsa.gov.au/nfsa/search/display/display.w3p;adv=;group=;groupequals=;holdingType=;page=0;parentid=;query=%22Frank%20Leighton%22;querytype=;rec=0;resCount=10 where he mostly worked in theatre.
He declared bankruptcy in 1950.
Leighton died in 1962 of a brain hemorrhage. He was on board the ship Canberra while returning to Australia from Britain. He was 56 years old and left behind a widow and six-year-old daughter.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1933 Two Minutes Silence 1934 Operator 13 Union Major Uncredited1934 Hide-Out New Paree Cabaret Headwaiter Uncredited1934 Splendid Fellows The Hon. Hurbert Montmorency 1936 Thoroughbred Tommy Dawson 1937 Tall Timbers Jim Thornton 1937 The Last Chance Alan Burmister 1938 I See Ice Ice Rink Manager Uncredited1938 It's in the Air Pvt. Bob Bullock 1957 The Shiralee Fred, the Barman
TV Five Bells for Logan (1961) Reunion Day (1962)
Theatre The Lady of the Rose Blue Roses Hold My Hand Our Miss Gibbs Mr Cinders The Quaker Girl The Merry Widow Till, Darling The Prince and the Pauper My Lady's Dress Blue Mountain Melody (1934) The Fleet's Lit Up (1939) Dish Ran Away (1950) – Whitehall
References
External links
Frank Leighton Australian theatre credits at AusStage Frank Leighton at National Film and Sound Archive