[These daily posts will cover little known actors or people that have appeared in more recent films and TV series. Various degrees of information that I was able to find will be given and anything that you can add would be appreciated.]
Elaine Baker is an enigma. She appeared in blackface in her only Euro-western as Marpessa King, the mother of Whity in Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s 1971 film “Whity”. Most likely she is/was a British actress. There are many theories as to who is/was Baker. One says it was Special effects genius Rick Baker’s ex-wife, but she was, although born in England, she was born in 1952 making her only 19 when the film was released. Hardly the actress in the film.
The best analogy says it was American born Elaine Baker born in Bay City, Michigan in 1926 who was a black woman who attended Central High School and went to Europe after WWII and was an opera and concert singer. She’d be the correct age and Marpessa does sing while she works in the kitchen. She’s in black face which is either part of the Fassbinder joke or she wanted to disguise who she really was.
Therefore, I’m only guessing this is the Elaine Baker who appeared in “Whity”.
BAKER, Elaine – film actress.
Whity – 1971 (Marpessa King)
If you want MY opinion, my best guess is that Elaine Baker was either born on April 4, 1948, in Los Angeles, California, or March 14, 1952, in Bay City, Michigan. She might have also been born on September 9, 1954, in London, England. But what I DO know is that she DID indeed appear in blackface in the German-language Spanish coproduction of "Whity" in 1971. And she might have well been indeed the ex-wife of special effects engineer Rick Baker, but that was probably at a different time and not around this one. Little is known about her anyway but from what I can gather she was either 19 or 23 or even 17 when she made this film. It is not known when she started her acting career or even WHERE. This might have also been the only film she ever appeared in as I'm sure I can find no other credits that mention her and I'm not about to try looking them up on IMDB. I WOULD provide verification but judging from the photo, my guess was probably already on par. Let me know what ya think. Ciao.
ReplyDelete