In Memoriam
LEX BARKER
NOTES
Some notes from the editors of these pages:
All comments you find on the "In Memoriam Lex Barker" Project all criticism, rambling and opinions expressed come from Mouse and Sunshine, keeper of the Barker flame. This said let me share a few thoughts with you before we proceed with some general reviews on Lex Barkers films.
In my opinion, men like Lex Barker just don't exist any more. Or they hide. I don't know.
Not that I knew "The Barker Man" personally, but somehow I got the feeling he actually BELIEVED in what he was doing - entertaining people and he even ENJOYED himself doing this - and it SHOWED. I don't think he was the best actor around, but he believed in what he was doing and he sure as hell tried to give his best. He seemed generally open-hearted, kind and noble. Special in the way, that he was honest about what he was doing. Maybe that's why he failed in Hollywood, who knows?
Let me tell you that normally, I have a very twisted view on actors and the filmindustry in general. I think that most people in the filmindustry are totally overpaid and don't even enjoy their jobs anymore. It's just become a giant machine. Only few are in there for idealistic or artistic reasons. Let's face it: No film, no matter how deeply it affects us, will ever change the world. It can make us forget the world outside, take us on a trip, make us dream, give food for thought, but it's "only" entertainment. I think films and TV are an important part of our lives (how else would I have ended up in that biz for the past 9 years??) but they can not substitute our reality. And so actors can not replace our friends or family. Acting is a job like everything else (apart from the fact, that if you're a good actor, you really have to bear your soul for all the world to see), and in my humble eyes - any job well done is a job done with joy and enthousiasm. Barker came across the screen as the hero, because he could identify with his roles and he loved playing them and the audience was able to feel that truthfulness that came from him.
While researching some data for these pages I discussed childhood memories with some friends and suddenly got into heated discussions on the Barker topic. Most women said (with a very deep sigh I might add) that, given the chance, they would have attended an evening where Lex Barker would have read from the New York phone book (all 6 million listings, please) - whereas men didn't fail to point out, that, yes, the bloke was a handsome devil and thus (grunt) got all the babes. At this point men and women involved started to argue about Barkers five marriages. I guess as we all try to find our way in life people and things change and so do our feelings. I know that I am probably one of the last people of an exctincting species who believe that the ONE true partner can last a lifetime (ok, you can shoot me now)
but on the other hand my dads love life looks a lot like Barkers and I have a couple of half brothers and a half sister apart from my "full" sister. Thus I have learned to shift my perspective on love over the past years. However things may be or might have been, the private life of anyone is their private life and that's actually all I wanted to add here.
Regardless of what you remember about Lex Barker and his work - he is still here with us as "Tarzan" as "Old Shatterhand" or"Kara Ben Nemsi" - and he still entertains.
And that is all that really matters, if you ask me.
Introduction
Biography
Filmograpy
Stories
Gallery
Desktop Pics
Soundbites
Barkwatch
Books
Art
Funnies
Links
News
Notes
Credits
web design © ITD
mail can be directed to
ITD