Rex (horse) facts for kids
Rex in poster for The Law of the Wild
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| Breed | Morgan |
|---|---|
| Sire | Pride of Mountain Vale 6986 |
| Grandsire | Anchor 4596 |
| Dam | Black Bess 0218 |
| Maternal grandsire | The Admiral 4871 |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 1916 or 1917 |
| Country | United States |
| Owner | Lee Doyle |
Rex, also known as Rex the Wonder Horse and King of the Wild Horses, was a famous movie horse. He was a tall Morgan stallion born around 1916 or 1917. Rex starred in many films and movie series during the 1920s and 1930s. He became a real star of the silver screen!
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Rex's Trainer and His Special Trick
Rex's trainer was a man named Jack "Swede" Lindell. Lindell discovered Rex at a boys' school in Golden, Colorado. He noticed something unique about Rex: the horse would try to bite a whip when it was cracked.
Instead of stopping this behavior, Lindell encouraged it! This made for some very dramatic scenes in Rex's movies. Lindell would often stand behind the camera to get the perfect shot of Rex's "wild" side. He was very protective of Rex. Lindell never left him alone on set unless the horse was safely locked in his own trailer.
A True Movie Star
Rex was a natural in front of the camera. Even when movies started having sound, it wasn't a problem for him. He continued to star in many films and series. By this time, Rex was a true "movie horse." He was used to all the cameras and crew members around him. But sometimes, he could still show his wild side!
An Exciting Moment on Set
During the filming of The Law of the Wild, Rex caused quite a stir. He was supposed to charge the camera, with Lindell behind it. But when Lindell gave the signal to stop, Rex didn't! He reared up, knocking over several reflectors. The cast and crew had to quickly scatter to find cover.
Rex even chased one actor, Ernie Adams, who tried to hide under a car. Rex dropped to his knees and tried to bite Adams by thrusting his head under the car. Luckily, Lindell managed to call Rex off by simply cracking the whip. After that, the horse calmly walked over to him. This exciting event was so memorable that it was even recreated in a 1956 film called Stranger at My Door.
Spotting the Real Rex
In the 1936 movie series Robinson Crusoe of Clipper Island, Rex appears in some parts. However, two other horses that looked like him also filled in. You can tell the real Rex apart by a small white mark on his forehead, just under his mane.
Rex's Movies
Rex starred in many films and serials. Here are some of his most famous ones:
- The King of Wild Horses (1924)
- Lightning Romance (1924)
- Black Cyclone (1925)
- The Devil Horse (1926)
- Wild Beauty (1927)
- No Man's Law (1927)
- Guardians of the Wild (1928)
- Two Outlaws (1928)
- Wild Blood (1929)
- Border Romance (1929)
- Plunging Hoofs (1929)
- The Harvest of Hate (1929)
- Hoofbeats of Vengeance (1929)
- The Vanishing Legion (1931)
- Wild Horse Stampede (1933)
- King of the Wild Horses (1933)
- The Law of the Wild (1934)
- The Adventures of Rex and Rinty (1935)
- Stormy (1935)
- Robinson Crusoe of Clipper Island (1936)
- King of the Sierras (1938)
See also
- Wonder Horses
