Frank Leighton
Encyclopedia
Frank Leighton was an Australian actor best known for two leading roles in films for Ken G. Hall
, Thoroughbred (1936) and Tall Timbers
(1937).
, 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
.
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
. His co-star in Thoroughbred was Helen Twelvetrees
with whom Ken G. Hall claims Leighton had an affair during filming. Leighton moved to London in 1937, where he mostly worked in theatre .
Ken G. Hall
Kenneth George Hall, AO OBE , better known as Ken G. Hall, was an Australian film director, considered one of the most important figures in the history of the Australian film industry.-Early years:...
, Thoroughbred (1936) and Tall Timbers
Tall Timbers (1937 film)
-Production:It was based on an original story by Frank Hurley which was rewritten by Frank Harvey. Hall claims it had no connection with the 1926 film Tall Timber, which he had never seen. He also said the resulting movie was "weak as hell"....
(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. 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 GibbsOur Miss Gibbs
Our Miss Gibbs is an Edwardian musical comedy in two acts by 'Cryptos' and James T. Tanner, with lyrics by Adrian Ross and Percy Greenbank, music by Ivan Caryll and Lionel Monckton. Produced by George Edwardes, it opened at the Gaiety Theatre in London on 23 January 1909 and ran for an extremely...
, The Quaker Girl
The Quaker Girl
The Quaker Girl is a Edwardian musical comedy in three acts with a book by James T. Tanner, lyrics by Adrian Ross and Percy Greenbank, and music by Lionel Monckton. In its story, The Quaker Girl contrasts dour Quaker morality with Parisienne high fashion. The protagonist, Prudence, is thrown out...
, The Merry Widow
The Merry Widow
The Merry Widow is an operetta by the Austro–Hungarian composer Franz Lehár. The librettists, Viktor Léon and Leo Stein, based the story – concerning a rich widow, and her countrymen's attempt to keep her money in the principality by finding her the right husband – on an 1861 comedy play,...
and The Maid of the Mountains
The Maid of the Mountains
The Maid of the Mountains, called in its original score a musical play, is an operetta or musical comedy in three acts. The music was by Harold Fraser-Simson, with additional music by James W...
opposite Gladys Moncrieff
Gladys Moncrieff
Gladys Moncrieff OBE was an Australian singer who was so successful in musical theatre and recordings that she became known as 'Australia's Queen of Song' and 'Our Glad'.-Early years:...
. He understudied for visiting star William Feversham in a production of The Prince and the Pauper
The Prince and the Pauper
The Prince and the Pauper is an English-language novel by American author Mark Twain. It was first published in 1881 in Canada before its 1882 publication in the United States. The book represents Twain's first attempt at historical fiction...
.
Leighton also acted in movies, starting with Two Minutes Silence
Two Minutes Silence (1933 film)
Two Minutes Silence is a 1933 Australian melodrama set during World War I. It was the fourth and last feature film from the McDonagh sisters. It is considered a lost film.-External links:* in the Internet Movie Database...
(1933). His most notable credits were leading roles in Thoroughbred (1936) and Tall Timbers
Tall Timbers (1937 film)
-Production:It was based on an original story by Frank Hurley which was rewritten by Frank Harvey. Hall claims it had no connection with the 1926 film Tall Timber, which he had never seen. He also said the resulting movie was "weak as hell"....
(1937) for Cinesound Productions
Cinesound Productions
Cinesound Productions Pty Ltd was one of Australia's first feature film production companies. Established in June 1932, Cinesound developed out of a group of companies centred around Greater Union Theatres, that covered all facets of the film process, from production, to distribution and...
. His co-star in Thoroughbred was Helen Twelvetrees
Helen Twelvetrees
Helen Twelvetrees was an American stage and screen performer, considered a top female star in the early days of sound films.- Early life and career :...
with whom Ken G. Hall claims Leighton had an affair during filming. Leighton moved to London in 1937, where he mostly worked in theatre .
Selected Filmography
- Two Minutes SilenceTwo Minutes Silence (1933 film)Two Minutes Silence is a 1933 Australian melodrama set during World War I. It was the fourth and last feature film from the McDonagh sisters. It is considered a lost film.-External links:* in the Internet Movie Database...
(1933) - Splendid FellowsSplendid FellowsSplendid Fellows is a 1934 Australian film from director Beaumont Smith about an Englishman who comes to Australia. The cast includes Eric Colman, brother of Ronald Colman, and Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith, who has a cameo as himself. This was Smith's last film.-Cast:*Frank Leighton as The Hon...
(1934) - Thoroughbred (1936)
- Tall TimbersTall Timbers (1937 film)-Production:It was based on an original story by Frank Hurley which was rewritten by Frank Harvey. Hall claims it had no connection with the 1926 film Tall Timber, which he had never seen. He also said the resulting movie was "weak as hell"....
(1937) - The Shiralee (1957)
External links
- Frank Leighton Australian theatre credits at AusstageAusstageAusStage is an online database which records information about live performances in Australia. It provides records of productions from the beginnings of theatre in Australia up to today...
- Frank Leighton at National Film and Sound ArchiveNational Film and Sound ArchiveThe National Film and Sound Archive is Australia’s audiovisual archive, responsible for developing, preserving, maintaining, promoting and providing access to a national collection of audiovisual materials and related items...