Stephen Howard is an actor known for his role in Traxx (1988), a film that captures the essence of late 80s cult cinema. Set against a backdrop of gritty urban landscapes, Howard's performance adds depth to the film's exploration of rebellion and camaraderie. Though his filmography may be limited, his contribution to Traxx resonates within the realm of exploitation cinema, showcasing a raw energy that aligns with the film's underground appeal.
Traxx
Opening in 1984, Traxx (Shadoe Stevens) is a Texas State Trooper who has little respect for the rules of the police force due to perps frequently getting away with their crimes through legal technicalities or playing the "temporary insanity" case in court. As a result, Traxx makes every effort possible to kill criminals after catching them in the act which earns him scorn from his superiors. In the opening scene, Traxx is one of several troopers called to defuse a hostage situation where a deranged holdup man (Leon Rippy) has taken refuge in a pet store after shooting and killing an old lady and a puppy. Traxx storms the store and when the killer gives up and vows to plead temporary insanity, Traxx shoots and kills him anyway. After being reprimanded one too many times by the police commissioner (Hugh Gillin) for excessive use of force, Traxx quits and leaves town to become a soldier of fortune. Four years later, after battling his way through El Salvador, the Middle East, and Nicaragua and killing countless terrorists, Traxx decides to retire to a life of baking gourmet cookies in his hometown, inspired by the cookies of Wally Amos (who late in the film appears in a cameo playing himself). When he finds himself in need of money, Traxx decides to hire himself out as the "Town Tamer" and begins cleaning up his hometown of Hadleyville, Texas by killing off its lowlife street scum. Aided by fellow mercenary Deeter (Willard E. Pugh), and supported by the town mayor, Alexandra Cray (Priscilla Barnes) and the local police chief Decker (John Hancock), who agrees to pay under the books $10,000 per week to Traxx for cleaning up their town, Traxx does well with his new assassin-for-hire business. However, things do not go as smoothly as he would have hoped. Traxx's actions soon come into the attention of the local crime boss Aldo Palucci (Robert Davi). Fearing that Traxx will bring about the downfall of his business, Palucci brings in the dreaded Guzik brothers, a trio of ruthless but comic hitmen from Mexico to get rid of Traxx which leads to a climatic showdown in the streets. In the final scene, after defeating and killing Palucci and the three Guzik brothers, Traxx finally opens up his own cookie store which is called 'Snaxx by Traxx' using the reward money given for the bounty on the bad guys heads. Mayor Clay throws a large street fair to celebrate the town's centennial and its now crime-free streets.
