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Lex Barker
1919-1973
Updated 3/24/2009 with more films available on DVD and a new Photos Available section!
Don't forget to check out the Lex Barker Gallery page.
biography
Born Alexander Barker Jr. in New York on May 8, 1919, Lex Barker came from a wealthy family that didn't think too much of performing artists. Therefore, in the early 1940s when Barker decided to drop out of Princeton to become an actor, his family practically disowned him. Although he was spotted by 20th Century-Fox talent scouts and was offered a contract, Barker enlisted in the Armed Forces during World War II, as many other actors had done. After the war, the talented Barker attempted to resume his acting career and began landing small roles in good films. But he would have to wait for stardom until 1949, when producer Sol Lesser selected Lex Barker, after screening hundreds of actors to replace Johnny Weissmuller, for the title role in Tarzan's Magic Fountain.
LEFT and CENTER: Barker as Tarzan. RIGHT: Signed photo, thanks to Carol L. Simonson
Barker's first outing as Tarzan, 1949's Tarzan's Magic Fountain with Brenda Joyce, Albert Dekker, and Evelyn Ankers was arguably his best Tarzan film. For Brenda Joyce, this film was her fifth Tarzan film and her last film role. Don't forget to look for an brief appearance by Elmo Lincoln, who was the first film Tarzan back in 1918. In addition to Tarzan's Magic Fountain, Barker made four more Tarzan films for Sol Lesser: Tarzan and the Slave Girl (1950), Tarzan's Peril (1951), Tarzan's Savage Fury (1952), and Tarzan and the She-Devil (1953). The next actor to take on the role of Tarzan was Gordon Scott in 1955.
Mid 1950s studio photos of Barker
With the Tarzan series behind him, Barker's film career began to stall; the rise of television had erased many roles for the handsome leading man. He made a dozen or so pictures, including several westerns, between 1954 and 1958---the best of these includes The Girl in the Kremlin (1957) and Strange Awakening (1958). Lex Barker's career got a second wind in 1958, when he began making films in Europe, a move that saw his popularity explode once again. He was especially successful in Germany, where he made many films in several popular series. In the early 1960s, Barker was hailed as the best foreign actor in Germany.
Barker and third wife Lana Turner in a photo taken right after their marriage in 1953
Married five times, Barker's two most famous wives were Arlene Dahl (1951-52) and Lana Turner (1953-57). With his first wife, Constanze Thurlow, Barker had a son and daughter, but that union ended in 1950. His fourth wife, Irene Labhardt, bore Barker a son, Christopher, in 1960 (Christopher Barker is now an actor). Sadly, Labhardt died suddenly in 1962. By 1965, Barker married again, this time to Maria del Carmen Cervera, but this relationship soured quickly.
the films of lex barker
Tarzan's Magic Fountain (1949)
Stills from Tarzan's Magic Fountain
Tarzan and the Slave Girl (1950)
Barker rescues Vanessa Brown and Denise Darcel in Tarzan and the Slave Girl
Tarzan's Peril (1951)
Barker on location while shooting Tarzan's Peril
Tarzan's Savage Fury (1952)
Studio photos with Dorothy Hart as Jane and Tommy Carlton as Joey
Tarzan and the She-Devil (1953)
Barker, in his last film as Tarzan, is captured by she-devil Monique van Vooren
The Yellow Mountain (1954)
From the Universal-International western The Yellow Mountain with Mala Powers
The Man From Bitter Ridge (1955)
Promotional still from The Man From Bitter Ridge
The Price of Fear (1956)
From the Universal-International film noir crime drama The Price of Fear. LEFT: Barker as Dave Barrett. RIGHT: With Gia Scala
The Girl in Black Stockings (1957)
Barker is surrounded by Mamie Van Doren, Anne Bancroft, and Marie Windsor in the film noir serial killer thriller The Girl in Black Stockings
Jungle Heat (1957)
From the campy jungle adventure Jungle Heat with Rhodes Reason, James Westerfield, Glenn Langan, and Mari Blanchard
The Girl in the Kremlin (1957)
From Universal-International's The Girl in the Kremlin with Zsa Zsa Gabor
Apache Gold (1963)
Barker as Old Shatterhand in the German-made western Apache Gold
Code 7, Victim 5 (1964)
From the detective thriller Code 7, Victim 5, lensed in South Africa
Last of the Renegades (1964)
Barker as Old Shatterhand in Last of the Renegades
A Place Called Glory (1965)
From the German western A Place Called Glory
later years
In the late 1960s, Barker cooled his European film career and moved back to the US. He decided to rebuild his acting career in the States by taking roles on television, where he made a number of guest appearances on popular series, such as It Takes a Thief with Robert Wagner and Rod Serling's Night Gallery. Tragically, Barker died suddenly of an apparent heart attack on the streets of Manhattan on May 11, 1973, at the age of 54.
Night Gallery: Season Two [DVD](1971) DVD
All 22 episodes from the series's second season--featuring such stories as "The Boy Who Predicted Earthquakes," "With Apologies to Mr. Hyde," "The Devil Is Not Mocked," "Hell's Bells," and "The Caterpillar"--are included in a five-disc set. 18 2/3 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH); art gallery; audio commentary on selected episodes; featurette; photo gallery; TV spots. **22 episodes on 5 discs. 18 2/3 hrs.**
The Dr. Mabuse Collection [DVD] DVD
First, the follow-up to Fritz Lang's classic films, "The Return of Dr. Mabuse" (1961), finds the diabolical German (Wolfgang Preiss) plotting to take over Munich with prison inmate zombies. Gert Frobe, Lex Barker also star. Next, Preiss stops at nothing to obtain an invisibility potion and become "The Invisible Dr. Mabuse" (1962), and detective Barker is the only one who can stop him. AKA: "The Invisible Horror." The final German-made Dr. Mabuse entry features "The Death Ray Mirror of Dr. Mabuse" (1964) threatening the planet. Preiss, Peter Van Eyck star. AKA: "The Secret of Dr. Mabuse." 180 min. total. Soundtrack: English (dubbed) Dolby Digital mono. Dubbed in English.
Super Chiller Blood-O-Rama [DVD] DVD
When a farm machinery mishap kills his father and mangles his own hand, young Matthew's mitt is replaced with a "Claw of Terror" (1973), which he uses to carve up his mother, her new husband, and anyone else who gets in his way. Fred Holbert, Suzette Hamilton and Angus Scrimm (billed as Rory Guy) star. "Black Mamba" (1974) is a creepy effort about a voodoo witch who uses dolls and snakes to steal a child from a widowed woman. With Marlene Clarke. Next, the new owner of a theatre closed down because of the strange tragedies that had occurred there tries to reopen it to get a large cash reward, in "Movie House Massacre" (1984). Mary Woronov stars. And, Christopher Lee is bloodthirsty Count Regula, risen from the grave and ready for revenge on the town that executed him for his crimes. "The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism" (1967) also stars Karin Dor and ex-Tarzan Lex Barker. AKA: "Blood Demon," "Castle of the Walking Dead." 6 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.
The Great American Western, Vol. 11 [DVD] DVD
Set in the British-occupied wilderness of 1700s Northwest America, "Battles of Chief Pontiac" (1952) stars Lex Barker as a frontiersman who negotiates a peace between the Redcoats and Indian chief Lon Chaney, Jr. "Sitting Bull" (1954) is an exciting (and surprisingly pro-Indian) version of the events leading up to the Battle of Little Big Horn. J. Carrol Naish, Dale Robertson, Mary Murphy, Iron Eyes Cody star. Next, after his sister is kidnapped, a young boy sets off on a perilous trek across the American frontier to find her, in "Against a Crooked Sky" (1975). And, the compelling documentary "The Great Indian Wars" focuses on the clashes between white European settlers and the Native Americans whose land they wanted to claim. 6 hrs. total.
Doll Face [DVD](1945) DVD
Stripper Vivian Blaine tries to make the jump to Broadway stardom, but her manager gets jealous when she falls for a writer hired to create her "biography," in this lively musical based on a play by Gypsy Rose Lee. With Dennis O'Keefe, Perry Como, Carmen Miranda; songs include "Chico-Chico," "Dig You Later," "Red Hot and Beautiful." AKA: "Come Back to Me." 80 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French; deleted scene; photo gallery; isolated music score; theatrical trailer.
The Carmen Miranda Collection [DVD] DVD
Five-disc set includes "The Gang's All Here" (1943), "Greenwich Village," "Something for the Boys," "Doll Face," and "If I'm Lucky."
Doll Face(1945) VHS
Stripper Vivian Blaine tries to make the jump to Broadway stardom, but her manager gets jealous when she falls for a writer hired to create her "biography," in this lively musical based on a play by Gypsy Rose Lee. With Dennis O'Keefe, Perry Como, Carmen Miranda; songs include "Chico-Chico," "Dig You Later," "Red Hot and Beautiful." 80 min.
Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome [DVD](1947) DVD
Boris Karloff is the perfect ``Gruesome,'' and he intends to freeze the whole town so that he can do his evil stuff. But he's no match for Dick Tracy, who's an expert at cooling him down. Ralph Byrd stars as Tracy. 65 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo. Plays All Regions.
Under The Tonto Rim [DVD](1947) DVD
After his stage is robbed, stagecoach operator Tim Holt goes undercover to catch the culprits. Two-fisted Western adventure, based on a Zane Grey story, also stars Nan Leslie, Richard Martin. 61 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; Subtitles: Spanish; featurettes.
Crossfire [DVD](1947) DVD
Director Edward Dmytryk spun Richard Brooks' novel into a tense film noir classic with hard-hitting social overtones about the intense search for an anti-Semitic murderer. Stars Robert Young, Robert Mitchum, Gloria Grahame, Sam Levene, and Robert Ryan. 85 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French; featurette; audio commentary.
Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House [DVD](1948) DVD
Cary Grant and Myrna Loy's third screen pairing finds them as hapless Manhattanites whose dream of an idyllic life in the suburbs of Connecticut turns into a nightmare after they pour their money into a 200-year-old "fix-'er-upper." Gag-filled rib-tickler co-stars Melvyn Douglas, Reginald Denny, Louise Beavers. 94 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French.
Battles Of Chief Pontiac [DVD](1952) DVD
Set in the British occupied wilderness of 1700s Northwest America, this fast-paced actioner stars Lex Barker as a frontiersman who negotiates a peace between the Redcoats and Indian chief Lon Chaney, Jr. When a treacherous officer scuttles the treaty and war erupts, Barker must choose sides. With Helen Westcott, Berry Kroeger. 72 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
The Man Behind The Gun (1953)/Thunder Over The Plains (1953)/Riding Shotgun [DVD](1954) DVD
First, in "The Man Behind the Gun," Randolph Scott portrays an undercover Army officer in 1850s Los Angeles who competes with a hotheaded fellow military man for the affections of a beautiful schoolteacher while investigating a separatist plot. With Patrice Wymore, Dick Wesson. Next, "Thunder Over the Plains" has Scott starring as an Army captain whose loyalties are divided when he tries to prove a man's innocence. Lex Barker, Phyllis Kirk, Charles McGraw co-star. Then, "Riding Shotgun" features the sagebrush icon dealing with vigilantes who think that he is a stagecoach robber. With Wayne Morris, Joan Weldon, Joe Sawyer. Soundtrack: English.
Black Devils Of Kali [DVD](1954) DVD
Former Tarzan Lex Barker stars in this hair-raising jungle adventure from Republic Pictures. Joined by a group of explorers, he tries to figure out the mystery of a mystical idol worshipped by natives in India. But before Barker can unravel the object's secrets, he is thrust into a series of thrilling experiences! With Jane Maxwell, Luigi Tosi. AKA: "Mystery of the Black Jungle," "Mystery of the Jungle." Soundtrack: English (dubbed).
The Strange Awakening (Female Fiends) [DVD](1958) DVD
After losing his memory in an auto accident, a man is taken home by his wife to recuperate, and soon begins to doubt he's who his "loving spouse" says he is. But what is his true identity, and what sinister plans does the increasingly bizarre woman have in store for him? Suspenseful tale stars Lex Barker, Nora Swinburne, Carole Mathews. AKA: "Operation Red Head," "Requiem for a Red Head." Soundtrack: English.
La Dolce Vita [DVD](1960) DVD
Federico Fellini's masterpiece boasts Marcello Mastroianni as a journalist who has put aside his serious career aspirations to report on the shallow, jet-setting denizens of Rome. While writing his tabloid stories, Mastroianni encounters prostitutes, buxom actresses, religious fervor and personal tragedy while trying make sense of the decadent lifestyle he has been seduced by. With Anita Ekberg, Anouk Aimee, Lex Barker, Yvonne Furneaux; music by Nino Rota. 167 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: Italian Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital stereo, Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary; bonus shorts; interviews; photo gallery; biographies; filmographies. In Italian with English subtitles. Two-disc set.
Pirates Of The Coast (I Pirati Della Costa) [DVD](1960) DVD
Lex Barker stars as a Spanish naval commander in the 1500s. He risks life, limb, and ship and engages in battles, gunfights, and swordplay all for the love of his beautiful Isabella. Expect double-crosses and plenty of excitement in this pirate-packed Italian adventure yarn. With Estella Blain, Livio Lorenzon, Liana Orfei. AKA: "Pirates of the Barbary Coast." Soundtrack: English (dubbed). Dubbed in English.
The Executioner Of Venice (Il Boia Di Venezia) [DVD](1963) DVD
Set in medieval Italy, this sensational swashbuckler stars Lex Barker as a courageous executioner attempting to prove that the Grand Inquisitor is working with murderous pirates. Enlisting the help of his godson, he tries to bring justice to Venice. With Guy Madison, Alessandra Panaro. AKA: "Blood of the Executioner." Standard; Soundtrack: English (dubbed). Dubbed in English.
Apaches' Last Battle [DVD](1964) DVD
Offbeat and interesting German-made Western, third in the "Winnetou" series based on Karl May's novels. Lex Barker stars as grizzled ex-railroader Shatterhand, who, along with Indian blood brother Winnetou (Pierre Brice) tries to stop power-hungry Cavalry officer Guy Madison from fermenting war between the Apache and Comanche. Sultry Daliah Lavi also stars. AKA: "Old Surehand," "Shatterhand." 98 min. Soundtrack: English (dubbed). Dubbed in English.
Treasure Of The Aztecs [DVD](1965) DVD
This film is an edited version of the three hour-long epic that was actually "Treasure of the Aztecs" and "Pyramid of the Sun," spliced together. Lex Barker plays Dr. Sternau, the heroic leader of a group of men trying to help Mexican leader Juarez against the French by finding the legendary treasure of the Incas. Rik Battaglia also stars; Robert Siodmak ("The Killers") directs. Soundtrack: English (dubbed). Dubbed in English.
A Place Called Glory [DVD](1965) DVD
Glory is a lawless frontier town that celebrates its founding each year by conning two gunfighters into dueling in the center of town. This time around Lex Barker and Pierre Brice are the doomed duo, but they hatch a plan to save themselves and set things right. Marianne Koch, Gerard Tichy co-star. AKA: "Place Called Glory City." 92 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English (dubbed). Dubbed in English.
Woman Times Seven [DVD](1967) DVD
"Seven men, one woman...but wow, what a woman!" This racy comedy from director Vittorio De Sica ("The Bicycle Thief") stars Shirley MacLaine as seven very different adulterous women. Through a series of vignettes, MacLaine portrays such cheating characters as a widow, a revenge-seeking wife and a suicidal spouse. With Peter Sellers, Michael Caine, Alan Arkin, Elsa Martinelli, and Rossano Brazzi. 108 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish.
Spy Today, Die Tomorrow [DVD](1967) DVD
Thrilling spy saga concerns a dangerous millionaire who pays a gang to steal an atomic bomb from an American solo and blackmails the U.S. government for a fortune. Now, it's up to a fearless CIA agent known as Mr. Dynamite to track down the weapon before the rich maniac can use it. But can our hero possibly save the day? Does James Bond like martinis? Lex Barker, Maria Perschy, Amedeo Nazzari star. AKA: "Die Slowly, You'll Enjoy It More." Soundtrack: English (dubbed). Dubbed in English.
The Torture Chamber Of Dr. Sadism (1967)/Death Smiles On A Murderer [DVD](1973) DVD
First, Christopher Lee stars as the bloodthirsty Count Regula, risen from the grave and ready for revenge on the town that executed him for his crimes. Do you dare enter "The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism"? Bloody fun chiller also stars Karin Dor and ex-Tarzan Lex Barker. AKA: "The Blood Demon," "Castle of the Walking Dead," "The Snake Pit." Next, who better than Klaus Kinski to enliven "Death Smiles on a Murderer," the charmingly demented thriller in which a mad doctor (Kinski) stumbles upon an Incan secret for raising the dead while treating a beautiful amnesiac? 177 min. total. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English.
lex barker dvds available from amazon.com
filmography
FILM
Aoom (1970) with Fernando Rey
Wenn du bei mir bist (1970)
In the Valley of Death (1968) with Pierre Brice, Karin Dor, and Rik Battaglia
Blood Demon (1967) with Karin Dor and Christopher Lee
Spy Today, Die Tomorrow (1967) with Brad Harris
Woman Times Seven (1967) with Alan Arkin, Shirley MacLaine, and Rossano Brazzi
Who Killed Johnny Ringo? (1966) with Marianne Koch
Carnival of Killers (1966) with Pierre Brice, Stewart Granger, Karin Dor, and Margaret Lee
Winnetou und das Halbblut Apanatschi (1966) with Pierre Brice
Fury of the Sabers (1965) with Ralf Wolter
The Wild Men of Kurdistan (1965) with Ralf Wolter
A Place Called Glory (1965) with Pierre Brice and Marianne Koch
Treasure of the Aztecs (1965) with Rik Battaglia and Jeff Corey
Pyramid of the Sun God (1965) with Rik Battaglia and Ralf Wolter
Twenty-Four Hours to Kill (1965) with Mickey Rooney and Walter Slezak
Winnetou: The Desperado Trail (1965) with Pierre Brice, Rik Battaglia, and Ralf Wolter
The Shoot (1964) with Rik Battaglia and Ralf Wolter
Victim Five (1964) with Ronald Fraser
Winnetou II (1964) with Pierre Brice, Karin Dor, and Anthony Steel
Apaches Last Battle (1964) with Guy Madison
Breakfast in Bed (1963)
The Executioner of Venice (1963) with Guy Madison and Raf Baldassarre
Il Mistero del tempio indiano (1963) with Senta Berger and Claudine Auger
The Scarlet Eye (1963)
Winnetou I (1963) with Pierre Brice
Der Schatz im Silbersee (1962)
Frauenarzt Dr. Sibelius (1962)
The Invisible Dr. Mabuse (1962)
El Secreto de los hombres azules (1961)
The Return of Dr. Mabuse (1961) with Gert Frobe and Daliah Lavi
Marco Polo (1961)
Il Segreto dello sparviero nero (1961)
La Dolce vita (1960)
Il Cavaliere dei cento volti (1960)
I Pirati della costa (1960)
Capitan Fuoco (1959)
Mission in Morocco (1959)
La Scimitarra del Saraceno (1959)
Terrore della maschera rossa (1959)
Il Figlio del corsaro rosso (1958)
Strange Awakening (1958) with Carole Mathews and Lisa Gastoni
The Deerslayer (1958) with Forrest Tucker, Cathy O'Donnell, and Rita Moreno
The Girl in Black Stockings (1957) with Mamie Van Doren, Marie Windsor, Anne Bancroft, and Stuart Whitman
War Drums (1957) with Joan Taylor and Stuart Whitman
The Girl in the Kremlin (1957) with Zsa Zsa Gabor
Jungle Heat (1957) with Mari Blanchard, Rhodes Reason, and Glenn Langan
Away All Boats (1956) with Jeff Chandler, George Nader, Julie Adams, Grant Williams, and Keith Andes
The Price of Fear (1956) with Merle Oberon and Warren Stevens
Duel on the Mississippi (1955) with Warren Stevens, Patricia Medina, and Craig Stevens
The Man from Bitter Ridge (1955) with Mara Corday, Myron Healey, and Warren Stevens
The Yellow Mountain (1954) with Howard Duff and Mala Powers
Tarzan and the She-Devil (1953) with Raymond Burr, Monique van Vooren, and Tom Conway
Thunder Over the Plains (1953) with Randolph Scott and Phyllis Kirk
Battles of Chief Pontiac (1952) with Lon Chaney Jr.
Tarzan's Savage Fury (1952) with Dorothy Hart
Tarzan's Peril (1951) with George Macready and Dorothy Dandridge
Tarzan and the Slave Girl (1950) with Vanessa Brown, Denise Darcel, and Robert Alda
Tarzan's Magic Fountain (1949) with Albert Dekker, Brenda Joyce, and Evelyn Ankers
Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948) with Cary Grant
Return of the Bad Men (1948) with Randolph Scott, Robert Ryan, and Tom Tyler
The Velvet Touch (1948) with Rosalind Russell and Sydney Greenstreet
Crossfire (1947) with Robert Mitchum, Robert Young, Robert Ryan, and Gloria Grahame
Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome (1947) with Boris Karloff and Ralph Byrd
The Farmer's Daughter (1947) with Loretta Young and Joseph Cotten
Under the Tonto Rim (1947) with Tim Holt, Nan Leslie, and Robert Clarke
Do You Love Me (1946) with Maureen O'Hara and Dick Haymes
Doll Face (1945) with Vivian Blaine, Dennis O'Keefe, and Carmen Miranda
TELEVISION APPEARANCES
Night Gallery, episode The Waiting Room, originally aired January 26, 1972. This is another western role for Barker, with costars Buddy Ebsen, Steve Forrest, Jim Davis, and Gilbert Roland
The FBI, episode Three Way Split, originally aired March 21, 1971
It Takes a Thief, episode The King of Thieves, originally aired November 20, 1969
Studio 57, episode The Old Lady's Tears, originally aired May 13, 1956
Lux Video Theatre, episode The Hired Wife, originally aired February 23, 1956
lex barker links
Lex Barker
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In Memoriam: Lex Barker
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