Rex 'Snowy' Baker
Acting
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Reginald Leslie "Snowy" Baker (8 February 1884 – 2 December 1953) was an Australian athlete, sports promoter, and actor. Born in Surry Hills, an inner-city suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Baker excelled at a number of sports, winning New South Wales swimming and boxing championships while still a teenager. Playing rugby union for Eastern Suburbs, he played several games for New South Wales against Queensland, and in 1904 represented Australia in two Test matches against Great Britain. At the 1908 London Olympics, Baker represented Australasia in swimming and diving, as well as taking part in the middleweight boxing event, in which he won a silver medal. He also excelled in horsemanship, water polo, running, rowing and cricket. However, "His stature as an athlete depends largely upon the enormous range rather than the outstanding excellence of his activities; it was as an entrepreneur-showman, publicist and businessman that he seems in retrospect to have been most important." Baker retired from competition after being injured in a motor-vehicle accident, and became involved in boxing promotion, bringing a number of top fighters from North America and Europe to fight in Australia. During this time, he began to act in a number of silent film roles which showcased his horsemanship, including The Enemy Within, The Man from Kangaroo, and The Shadow of Lightning Ridge. In 1920, Baker left Australia for the United States, where he became known as an entrepreneur and stunt coach. He died in 1953 in Los Angeles, California, from cerebrovascular disease. Baker became Australia's darling of the screen when his silent movie career took off. His movies included The Enemy Within, The Man from Kangaroo, and The Shadow of Lightning Ridge. During this same time, he was also writing and editing a publication titled 'Snowy Baker's Magazine'. For many years, until he settled in the United States, Baker was Australia's leading actor and matinee idol.
Known For
A wealthy young Australian, the last of the "Fighting O'Farrells," decides to secretly work at his own farm in order to prove himself.
The Fighting Breed
A loud-mouthed Texas cowpuncher tries his hand at polo finding himself at odds with high society and trying to save a floundering Wild West show.
The Kid From Texas
Anna and Joe are newly married, playful and deeply in love. Joe is scraping by as cab driver in New York City during a period of corruption, mob control and violence between cab companies.
Big City
Vowing vengeance on Edward Marriott, whom he believes to have dishonored his mother, The Shadow is a highwayman who robs only Marriott. The Shadow attracts the interest of Dorothy Harden, Marriott's fiancee, and finally he captures her. The action includes the kidnapping, by The Shadow's rival, Ben, of Dorothy; The Shadow's capture and escape; and his rescue of Dorothy. All is happily resolved when Dorothy declares her love for The Shadow and Marriott proves to be innocent of injuring The Shadow's mother.
The Shadow of Lightning Ridge
A short in the WB Hollywood Novelty series (production number 7301) about the training of polo ponies. Buddy Rogers buys one of the ponies in training, and later uses him in a match where Jack Holt and Joe E. Brown are among the players. Edward G. Robinson and Jack Oakie are among the spectators who see Joe. E. Brown knock in the winning score.
Polo with the Stars
Australian star Rex "Snowy" Baker stars in this military melodrama. This was the first of a series of four films Baker made for producer Phil Goldstone, and they were offered on a States' Rights basis. Irene Falliday (Gertrude McConnell) is the daughter of the British governor (William Bainbridge) who rules over an Indian province. She finds Yasmini (Lois Scott) wearing the shawl she believes she has lost and asks Tommy Farrell (Phil Burke) to get it back. Farrell is in love with Irene, but Yasmini loves him, and when he finally gets the shawl from her, the circumstances shame her in the eyes of her father Shere Ali, Sirdar of the Afghans (Frank Whitson), and his subjects.
The White Panther
A young man who jerks sodas in a small-town ice cream parlor is at heart a coward. He is mistaken for Cyclone Carter, a famous pug, and forced into a fight. A fortuitous blow on the head changes him into a fighting demon, and he wins the admiration of the townspeople and the love of his girl.
Fighter's Paradise
Another entry in the popular one-reel series.
Screen Snapshots, Series 3, No. 12
John Harland is a former boxer turned reverend posted to the town of Kangaroo. He falls in love with Muriel, an orphaned heiress, and discovers that her guardian Martin Giles is embezzling her inheritance. Harland earns the ire of parishioners by teaching young boys to box, and Giles manipulates local opinion to have the bishop remove him. Harland rescues a gentleman from a mugging in Sydney who suggests that he go to Kalmaroo where a criminal gang has driven the church out of the area. Harland preaches, and unexpectedly sees Muriel in the congregation; her property is near Kalmaroo. But her overseer is Red Jack Braggan who leads the gang which violently breaks up Harland's mission - much to the distress of Muriel who regards Harland as too timid - and is in cahoots with Giles.
The Man from Kangaroo
No description available.
His Last Race
Australian Rex [Snowy] Baker stars in this USA film. Rex as Captain William Ballard of the Territorials is sent to make a treaty with the natives. But he meets resistance from the Boers, still unreconciled to British rule.Love interest is Katryn van der Poel [Margaret Landis] Theodore Lorch plays Hendrik van der Poel Pinckney Harrison as Karui the king. J.P. Lockney as the friendly "treader". And as the "baddy" Fritz van Roon played by Jere Austin. After fighting and horse riding and rescues "Rex" wins the natives over to the British way of life, and "gets" the girl!
The Empire Builders
American romantic comedy which had the well known Australian actor Snowy Baker as a cast member. The daughter of a Spanish don falls in love with an American captain the moment she sees him. Her father takes the girl to the Riveria, where she is promised to a wealthy cad, but the captain arrives in time to rescue her from him as well as a crazed gypsy who has abducted her.
The Sword of Valor
Hugh Mostyn is sent from his family station to England for an education and returns to Australia years later as a "gentleman", complete with a white suit and monocle. He seeks work as a jackeroo and is teased by station hands who pretend to hold him up as bushrangers.
The Lure of the Bush
Snowy Baker is a secret service agent called in to crack a ring of foreign agents involved in treason and civil violence in Australia. Jack's sweetheart, Myee, is kidnapped by the villains, but after a long chase Jack is able to trap the enemy and rescue Myee.
The Enemy Within
Australian actor Snowy Baker's first American movie made for producer Willian N. Selig who specialized in adventure tales. A contemporary fan magazine said that " The Australian possesses a magnetic screen personality. His novel stunts, thrilling athletic feats, and superb horsemanship. The picture also features Wallace Beery.
Sleeping Acres
Brian O'Farrell is an English 'new chum' who takes a job at an Australian cattle station. He is teased by station hands because of his appearance (including spats and a monocle) but he soon impresses them with his skills at riding and boxing.