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'They shared a name, of course, and their physical resemblance was startling. And both Frank Thrings were huge figures in the landscape of twentieth-century Australian theatre and film.
'But in many ways they could hardly have been more different. Frank Thring the father (1882-1936) began his career as a sideshow conjuror, and he wheeled, dealed and occasionally married his way into becoming the legendary "F.T." — impresario, speculator and owner of Efftee Films, Australia's first 'talkies' studio. He built for himself an image of grand patriarchal respectability, a sizeable fortune, and all the makings of a dynasty.
'Frank Thring the son (1926-1994) squandered the fortune and derailed the dynasty in the course of creating his own persona — a unique presence that could make most stages and foyers seem small. He won fame playing tyrants in togas in Hollywood blockbusters, then, suddenly, came home to Melbourne to play perhaps his finest role — that of Frank Thring, actor and personality extraordinaire. Central to this role was that Frank the son was unapologetically and outrageously gay.
'Peter Fitzpatrick's compelling dual biography tells the story of two remarkable characters. It's a kind of detective story, following the lives of two men who did all they could to cover their tracks, and to conceal "the self": Frank the father used secrecy and sleight-of-hand as strategies for self-protection; Frank the son masked a thoroughly reclusive personality with flamboyant self-parody. It's also the tale of a lost relationship — and of the power a father may have had, even over a son who hardly knew him.' (From the publisher's website.)
Notes
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A biography in two parts. Part One: Frank the Father. Part Two: Frank the Son
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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[Untitled]
2013
single work
review
— Appears in: Journal of Australian Studies , vol. 37 no. 3 2013; (p. 403-405)
— Review of The Two Frank Thrings 2012 single work biography -
And Another Thring : Double Act Wins Book Prize
2013
single work
column
— Appears in: The Age , 6 August 2013; (p. 12) -
Precipitously Yours
2012
single work
correspondence
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , December 2012 - January 2013 no. 347 2012; (p. 4) Gabrielle Baldwin responds to Ian Britain's review comment about the use of the word 'precipitous' rather than 'precipitate' in Peter Fitzpatrick's The Two Frank Thrings. -
Some Thrings Are Different
2012
single work
review
— Appears in: The Saturday Age , 27 October 2012; (p. 35)
— Review of The Two Frank Thrings 2012 single work biography -
The Priapic Pond
2012
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , October no. 345 2012; (p. 10-11)
— Review of The Two Frank Thrings 2012 single work biography
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The Priapic Pond
2012
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , October no. 345 2012; (p. 10-11)
— Review of The Two Frank Thrings 2012 single work biography -
Some Thrings Are Different
2012
single work
review
— Appears in: The Saturday Age , 27 October 2012; (p. 35)
— Review of The Two Frank Thrings 2012 single work biography -
[Untitled]
2013
single work
review
— Appears in: Journal of Australian Studies , vol. 37 no. 3 2013; (p. 403-405)
— Review of The Two Frank Thrings 2012 single work biography -
In Search of the Real Thring
2012
single work
column
— Appears in: The Saturday Age , 18 August 2012; (p. 16-17) -
Precipitously Yours
2012
single work
correspondence
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , December 2012 - January 2013 no. 347 2012; (p. 4) Gabrielle Baldwin responds to Ian Britain's review comment about the use of the word 'precipitous' rather than 'precipitate' in Peter Fitzpatrick's The Two Frank Thrings. -
And Another Thring : Double Act Wins Book Prize
2013
single work
column
— Appears in: The Age , 6 August 2013; (p. 12)
Awards
- 2013 winner National Biography Award