Portraits of actor Frank Thring, by Henry Talbot, 1963, composite of black and white negatives, gift of Henry Talbot, 1974–75, State Library Victoria, copyright of the Estate of the artist

It has been said of Frank Thring that he could make most stages or foyers seem small. His larger-than-life personality was almost matched by his frame, often decked out in imposing black and with flamboyant jewellery. Son of Frank Thring snr, founder of Efftee Films and 3XY Radio, Thring jnr earned fame as an actor in London’s West End and in Hollywood films like Ben Hur, often playing sinister or decadent characters. In the 1950s he would recite poems laden with innuendo and hold court at the ‘head table’ at Val’s Coffee Lounge. To be welcome at his table was a sign one was part of the ‘in’ crowd.