Sir William Stanley Baker (28 February 1928 – 28 June 1976) was a Welsh actor and film producer.
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William Stanley Baker was born in Ferndale, Glamorgan, Wales, the youngest of three children. His father was a coal miner who lost a leg in a pit accident but continued working as a lift operator at the mine until his death. Baker grew up a self-proclaimed "wild kid" interested in only "football and boxing" although his artistic ability was spotted at an early age by a local teacher, Glynne Morse, who encouraged Baker to act.
When he was 14 he was performing in a school play when seen by a casting director from Ealing Studios, who recommended him for a role in Undercover (1943), a war film about the Yugoslav guerrillas in Serbia. He was paid £20 a week, caught the acting bug, and pursued a professional acting career. Six months later Baker appeared with Emlyn Williams in a play in the West End called The Druid's Rest, appearing alongside a young Richard Burton.
Baker worked for a time as an apprentice electrician, then through Morse's influence he managed to secure a position with the Birmingham Repertory Theatre in 1944. His national service in 1946 interrupted his three years there. He served in the Royal Army Service Corps until 1948, achieving the rank of sergeant. Following his demob he returned to London determined to resume his acting career. He was recommended by Richard Burton for casting in a small role in Terence Rattigan's West End play, Adventure Story.
He began appearing in films and on television, as well as performing on stage for the Middlesex Repertory Company. He impressed when cast as the bosun's mate in the Hollywood-financed Captain Horatio Hornblower (1951)
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Personal life He was a close friend and drinking companion of another Welsh actor, Richard Burton. In 1950 Baker married the actress Ellen Martin, who had been introduced to him by Burton. Their partnership lasted until his death and produced four children, Martin and Sally (twins), Glyn and Adam. Glyn appeared in Return of the Jedi as Lieutenant Endicott, the imperial officer who said "Inform the commander that Lord Vader's shuttle has arrived."
Baker was a dedicated socialist off-screen, and a friend of the Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson. He was a staunch opponent of Welsh nationalism and recorded television broadcasts in support of the Welsh Labour Party. In a 1969 interview he said, "I'm a Welshman and proud of it. But I'm no nationalist. I think the Welsh nationalists are foolish and misguided people." Baker was heavily criticised for earning vast sums of money despite holding left-wing socialist views, sending all his children to expensive private schools in England, and owning a large holiday home in Spain. He considered becoming a tax exile in the 1960s but ultimately decided he would miss Britain too much. Many of his friends believed Baker had damaged his acting career through his attempts to transform himself into a businessman
rare stanley baker 1972 interview
Stanley Baker YT Play list (Channel: stu pick 34 videos)
Zulu is a 1964 epic war film depicting the Battle of Rorke's Drift between the British Army and the Zulus in January 1879, during the Anglo-Zulu War. It depicts 150 British soldiers, many of whom were sick and wounded patients in a field hospital, who successfully held off a force of 4,000 Zulu warriors.
The film was directed by American screenwriter[4] Cy Endfield and produced by Stanley Baker and Endfield, with Joseph E. Levine as executive producer. The screenplay is by John Prebble and Endfield, based on an article by Prebble, a historical writer. The film stars Stanley Baker and introduces Michael Caine, in his first major role, with a supporting cast that includes Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth, Nigel Green, Paul Daneman, Glynn Edwards, Ivor Emmanuel and Patrick Magee. Future South African political leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi played Zulu King Cetshwayo kaMpande, his great grandfather. The opening and closing narration is spoken by Richard Burton.
The film was first shown on the 85th anniversary of the actual battle, 22 January 1964 at the Plaza Theatre in the West End of London.
My personal fave movie. The true life battle that it depicts involves the Welsh Regiment "South Wales Borderers, 24th of foot" which may years later my father served in as a Sergent serving in the British army in India, just after the second world war.
Zulu (1964) - Full Movie Summer HD 2016
_________________ Do not go gentle into that good night. ___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light
These links seem genuine... but the divx links wont play for me. "flash" links at same site work ok
It is I guess Stanley Bakers 1st movie (minor part) and listed as "Movie filmed in Wales".. so I would like to see it As a DOWNLOAD it shows as an avi file... I'll try downloading and playing.
That Trick seems to have worked!! YOUNG Stanley show up in the opening minutes. He would have been 15 when the film was released, but in interviews he states he was "13 and a half" when he got the part.
He pops up later as well....
_________________ Do not go gentle into that good night. ___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light
The Tell-Tale Heart (1953) (I found 1953 Short animated film narrated by James Mason, same director, so maybe attribution to Stanley Baker is wrong?) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8evph2fw4Y
Published on Jan 30, 2017 A great war film made by Hammer! Stanley Baker won a BAFTA Nomination for best actor from his performance of this film! NO copyright, or profit is intended, only the purpose of enlightening people the great acting of a truly under rated actor Stanley Baker! I highly recommend people buy this film if they can although it's very hard to find! Plus since I love Hammer Films they made more than just good horror movies!
Published on Jan 25, 2017 A great film noir/cold war thriller in the style of The Third Man with Stanley Baker and Peter Cushing. Directed by Quentin Lawrence
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