Frank Leighton

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title: "Frank Leighton" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1908-births", "1962-deaths", "australian-male-film-actors", "australian-male-stage-actors", "australian-emigrants-to-england", "male-actors-from-sydney", "20th-century-australian-male-actors"] description: "Australian actor (1908–1962)" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Leighton" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Australian actor (1908–1962) ::

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. 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.

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.

Later career

Leighton moved to London in 1937, where he mostly worked in theatre.

He declared bankruptcy in 1950.

Leighton died in 1962 of a brain hemmorage. 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

::data[format=table]

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1933	Two Minutes Silence
1934	Operator 13	Union Major	Uncredited
1934	Hide-Out	New Paree Cabaret Headwaiter	Uncredited
1934	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	Uncredited
1938	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

References

1. 'Frank Leighton Leading Man', ''Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton)'', Friday 19 June 1936 p5
2. 'IN SEARCH OF FAME, AN ACTOR'S AMBITION' ''The West Australian'' (Perth), Tuesday 27 April 193 p 11
3. Vagg, Stephen. (12 July 2025). "Forgotten Australian Films: Tall Timbers".
4. Ken G. Hall, ''Directed by Ken G Hall'', Lansdowne Press, 1977 p 105.
5. Vagg, Stephen. (3 October 2025). "Forgotten Australian Films: Thoroughbred".
6. (December 2024)
7. (13 July 1950). "A Dispute With The Tax Man". [[The Herald (Melbourne).
8. (18 October 1962). "Actor Frank Leighton dies". Evening Sentinel.
9. (19 June 1936). "Entertainments". [[Morning Bulletin]].
10. (5 July 1952). "The human touch of Jim Bancks". [[The Mail (Adelaide).
11. (2 June 1939). "Studios Seeking Frank Leighton". [[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney).

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