Film with Lex Barker as character

Introducing Dorothy Dandridge

I learned from an American Barker fan that there is a film named "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge" in which someone playes the role of Lex Barker. This movie is shot in 1999 and tells the life story of black actress Dorothy Dandridge (1922-1956). The leading role is played by Halle Berry. The movie is available on DVD.

One scene of this movie acts on the set of (Tarzan's Peril). Melmendi (Dorothy Dandridge - Halle Berry) is captured by Bulam and Tarzan sneaks into her tent to free her. Here you can see pictures of the actor playing Lex' role of Tarzan. From afar he resembles Lex pretty well but don't come closer...

First the original with Lex:

And now the new movie about Dorothy Dandridge:

This might work...

...this doesn't!!

Isn't he a bit smaller than Lex?

  Wanted: Who knows this face?

I would be very interested in knowing who played Lex Barker in this movie. He is credited neither by imdb nor in the credits of the DVD. Informations and hints by mail are greatly appreciated!

Many thanks to Ted for informing me about this movie and sending the pictures!

March 25th 2008: Lex has got a commemorative plaque on the "Walk of Fame" in Kanab/Utah!

Not yet Hollywood - but a great honor anyway: Lex Barker has got a commemorative plaque on the "Walk of Fame" in Kanab in Utah. More information and pictures are available on the official Lex-Barker website, see here!

August 10th 2006: Director Franz Josef Gottlieb passed away

Well known director Franz Josef Gottlieb passed away on July 23rd 2006 in Verden at age 75. He directed the Karl-May movies Durchs wilde Kurdistan and Im Reich des silbernen Löwen as well as Mister Dynamit - Morgen küßt Euch der Tod. Furthermore he shot numberous movies, mainly for TV. He directed TV series as well such as "Unser Charly" or "Der Landarzt". A detailed filmography can be found here.

I met Herrn Gottlieb at the Karl-May-Fest 2002 in Bad Segeberg, where he was honoured with the "Scharlih"-Award, an award for people connected to the work of Karl May. He was a very nice man who could of course tell a lot of stories about his work. He told for example about an argument with Artur Brauner (Producer of the Karl-May-movies Gottlieb directed) about his salary. Gottlieb had written the script as one unit but Brauner made two films of it. However he wanted to pay Gottlieb and the whole crew only for one film. Gottlieb and Lex Barker had a long lawsuit with Brauner which they won years later.

Franz Josef Gottlieb will stay in our memories as a skilled director, a warmhearted, decent and friendly man as well as - last but not least - as one of the rare people whe worked with Lex. He will be missed.

The picture shows (left to right) Franz Josef Gottlieb, Chris Howland, Frau Howland and Thomas Winkler an July 28th 2002 at the Karl-May-Fest in Bad Segeberg.

Margrit, August 2006