Frankie Baker
Frankie Baker was the inspiration for the song Frankie and Johnny after she stabbed and killed her boyfriend Allen Britt in St. Louis, Missouri in October 1899, for which she was acquitted. The killing inspired several songs and films. Baker went on to file unsuccessful lawsuits regarding incorrect depictions of herself in film.
Death of Allen Britt
In October 18, 1899 at 212 Targee Street in St. Louis (at the current site of the Enterprise Center hockey arena), Baker stabbed her boyfriend Allen Britt.[1] He died a few days later on October 18, 1988. The St. Louis Dispatch in an article the next day described Baker as "ebony-hued" and a cakewalker.[1] Britt was 17 years old and met Baker at the Orange Blossom's ball, after which they became lovers. Baker had confronted Britt about infidelity.[1]
Aftermath
Baker was detained at the Four Courts jail.[1]
Acquittal
The crime was judged to be a justifiable homicide.[2]
Lawsuits
In 1935, Baker sued Mae West for $100,000 for incidents in the film She Done Him Wrong for $100,000.<ref name="getty"> />
- ^ a b c d "[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]], St. Louis Missouri, Thu., Oct. 19, 1899, Page 16". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
{{cite web}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help) - ^ "Frankie Baker Sitting in a Chair". Getty Images. Retrieved 8 July 2024.