There have been several films depicting Ma (Kate) Barker as an obsessed criminal with almost incestuous tendencies toward her four sons, Herman, Arthur, Fred and Lloyd.  Yet, “Arizona Donnie Clark “(her born name) never had a criminal record. Not one photo or finger print or arrest record was on file at any law enforcement agency within the United States.

What is really known about Kate Barker is that she had a very difficult first marriage to her husband, who left, or was asked to leave after their fourth child was born.  Kate or Arrie (as she was called by her friends) raised the four children by herself. She interceded with the law when her kids got in trouble and provided for their welfare when they were older and on the road performing their nefarious deeds.   It was know that “Ma Baker” liked good things such as expensive furniture and fancy cloths, but it was very doubtful that she was the leader of her boy’s gang.  When her boys joined public enemy number one “Alvin Karpis” the gang became know as the Karpis-Barker Gang.  They were now famous, and Ma was dubbed the leader of the gang buy the publicity seeking FBI.  Kate Barker was a great center of attention for the local newspapers and for law enforcement agencies.

As writer and director of this piece, I tried to give Kate Barker her just dues in this short personality sketch. A mother, who loved her kids (even if they were bad boys). A woman who did what she could to support her boys in hard times, and like the rest of us, not knowing that life’s end might be right around the corner.

“Ma Barker The Last Interview” takes place just before she is to leave on a trip with her son Fred on a well deserved vacation to Florida. Ma will never return home because she will be killed in a hale of law enforcement bullets after arriving at her destination.

Enjoy Anita Byron as Ma Barker

Credits:
Staring
Anita Byron

Written & Directed
Michael Byron

Camera & Sound
Shem Byron

Lighting
Jamo Carnara

Editor
Chris Mclean

Technical Assistant
Danica Berganini

Music
Dan Forster
From A Secret Garden
Courtesy of Filmtv-Tracks.com