Page "Stanley Baker" Paragraph 5

Baker finally broke away from supporting parts when cast as the lead in Hell Drivers ( 1957 ).

This was directed by Cy Endfield, who had first worked with Baker on Child in the House ( 1956 ) and went on to make six films in total with the actor.

The success of Hell Drivers established Baker as a star and saw exhibitors vote him the 7th most popular British actor that year.

He followed this up with a series of popular movies that featured him as a tough anti-hero, usually an authority figure of some kind, such as Violent Playground ( 1958 ), Sea Fury ( 1958 ), Yesterday's Enemy ( 1959 ) and Blind Date ( 1959 ).

The latter was the first of what would be four collaborations with director Joseph Losey ( of which his favourite was The Criminal ( 1960 )); he also made two films each with Val Guest, Ralph Thomas and Robert Aldrich.