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Allan 'Rocky' Lane
1909-1973
Updated 3/30/2008 with more films available on DVD.
biography
Born Harry Albershart in Indiana in September 1909, Allan 'Rocky' Lane had been a photographer, model, and stage actor by the time he was 20 years old. In 1929, the handsome Lane was spotted by Fox Film Corporation (later 20th Century Fox) talent scouts and was signed to a contract. His first film role for Fox was as a romantic lead opposite June Collyer in the 1929 release Not Quite Decent, which is now a lost film. Lane made several other films at Fox but then jumped ship to Warner Bros. However, while at Warner his career floundered, and after a number of bit parts he left films in the early 1930s. By 1936, Lane returned to films and to 20th Century Fox, taking supporting roles in the drama Laughing at Trouble and the Shirley Temple vehicle Stowaway. After several more supporting roles at Fox, Lane longed for a starring role; therefore, he took the lead in a Republic Pictures short feature titled The Duke Comes Back (1937).
LEFT: Lane with his horse Black Jack. CENTER: Late 1940s Republic photo. RIGHT: Late 1930s RKO still
Although Allan Lane is primarily known as a western actor, he appeared in only a handful of westerns until the 1940s. After stints at Fox and Warner Bros., Lane did a number of films at RKO in the late 1930s, often appearing in crime dramas. But as his career had gone south in the early 1930s, Lane's career again began to slide badly. He then went to Republic and stayed there for the remainder of his film career. Lane's personal life proved to be as tumultuous as his film career. He was married twice, but neither marriage lasted long. His marriage to first wife Gladys survived for a few years. He married his second wife, actress Sheila Ryan, in 1945 but the union dissolved just weeks later. Ryan went on to marry another western actor, Pat Buttram, in 1951.
the films of allan 'rocky' lane
Laughing at Trouble (1936)
With Jane Darwell in the Fox drama Laughing at Trouble
Sing and Be Happy (1937)
With Leah Ray, Dixie Dunbar, and Tony Martin in the Fox comedy Sing and Be Happy
Maid's Night Out (1938)
From the RKO romantic comedy Maid's Night Out. LEFT: With George Irving and Solly Ward. RIGHT: With Frank Thomas and Solly Ward
Twelve Crowded Hours (1939)
With John Arledge in the early film noir thriller Twelve Crowded Hours, released by RKO
They Made Her a Spy (1939)
With Sally Eilers in another RKO early film noir thriller They Made Her a Spy
Sheriff of Sundown (1944)
With Twinkle Watts and Linda Stirling in the Republic programmer Sheriff of Sundown
The Tiger Woman (1944)
From the campy Republic 12-chapter serial The Tiger Woman. LEFT: With Linda Stirling in the title role. RIGHT: With LeRoy Mason and Linda Stirling
Santa Fe Uprising (1946)
With character actress Martha Wentworth in Republic's 'Red Ryder' western series Santa Fe Uprising, Lane's first outing as hero Red Ryder. Previously, Bill Elliot and Don 'Red' Barry portrayed Red Ryder onscreen, and later Jim Bannon replaced Allan Lane as the western hero. In the 1950s, Lane starred in the TV series Red Ryder
The Rustlers of Devil's Canyon (1947)
From the Red Ryder feature The Rustlers of Devil's Canyon with Tom London, Peggy Stewart, Robert Blake, Emmett Lynn, and Pierce Lyden
The Wild Frontier (1947)
With Jack Holt in the Republic western The Wild Frontier
Navajo Trail Raiders (1949)
From the Republic western Navajo Trail Raiders
Frisco Tornado (1950)
With Martha Hyer in the Republic western Frisco Tornado
Savage Frontier (1953)
Lane and Kenneth MacDonald tend to a dying William Henry in the western Savage Frontier, one of Lane's final films for Republic
El Paso Stampede (1953)
Lane gets fed up with Edward Clark in Republic's El Paso Stampede, the last of the Rocky Lane westerns
later years
By the early 1950s, short western features were on the way out, being replaced by western television series. After the release of El Paso Stampede in 1953, Republic pulled the plug on Lane's contract and career. After a three-year hiatus, Lane returned to the screen, this time on television in Red Ryder. Unfortunately, the series was canceled at the end of the first season; a total of 39 episodes were shot. Lane worked very little until 1960, when he was cast as the voice of the horse 'Mister Ed' on the Studebaker-sponsored TV series Mister Ed (1961-1966). The long-running series was cancelled by CBS in 1966, and afterward Lane retired from acting. After a battle with cancer, Allan Lane passed away in October 1973 at the age of 64. He left no survivors.
The Best Of Mister Ed, Vol. 1 [DVD] DVD
Relive the funniest moments from the series' first four seasons with this 21-episode collection that finds the eloquent equine and his hapless owner, Wilbur, in some of their wackiest predicaments. Includes "Ed, The First Meeting," "The Horsetronaut," "Zsa Zsa," "Clint Eastwood Meets Mister Ed," "Doctor Ed," and 16 more. 9 hrs. on two discs. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono.
The Best Of Mister Ed, Vol. 2 [DVD] DVD
The laughs come in force--of course, of course--with this second sampler of 20 memorable episodes filled with hilarious (dare we say it?) horseplay. Includes "Ed the Pilot," "Ed the Stowaway," "Animal Jury," "Ed's Contact Lenses," "Robin Hood Ed," "Ed a Go-Go," "Ed's Juice Stand," "Like Father, Like Horse," and more. 8 1/2 hrs. on two discs. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.
Charlie Chan, Vol. 2 [DVD] DVD
Warner Oland returns as Charlie Chan for another round of whodunits. Considered by many to be the best of the Chan films, "Charlie Chan at the Opera" (1936) has Charlie and Lee Chan (Keye Luke) looking into the murder of a diva and finding the prime suspect is her ex-asylum inmate husband (Boris Karloff). Charlotte Henry co-stars. Then, the death of a prominent horse breeder looks like a work-related accident, but Chan's investigation leads to a connection to a gambling ring, in "Charlie Chan at the Race Track" (1936). Luke also stars. The Asian gumshoe must sift through a wild list of suspects when a murder occurs under the big top, in "Charlie Chan at the Circus" (1936). And, working for the U.S. Navy, Chan heads to Berlin, where he clashes with a local policeman while trying to rescue #1 son Lee from a cadre of international spies, in "Charlie Chan at the Olympics" (1937). With Luke, Fredrick Vogeding. 4 2/3 hrs. total on four discs. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; featurettes; theatrical trailers.
King Of The Royal Mounted [DVD](1940) DVD
Based on the story by Zane Grey, this action-packed 12-part serial stars Allan Lane as Sgt. Dave King, a Canadian mounted police officer assigned to stop a gang of spies from stealing a priceless mineral they need to wage war on England. Robert Strange, Robert Kellard, Lita Conway also star. 211 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; biographies; theatrical trailers.
The Laurel And Hardy Collection, Vol. 2 [DVD] DVD
Here's another fine, three-disc mess for Laurel and Hardy, as the boys get mixed up with gangsters, a stage magician, and a plot to use a coffin's not-so-dead occupant to make a fortune, in "A-Haunting We Will Go" (1942). Dante, Sheila Ryan, and Elisha Cook, Jr. also star. Next, the boys--that is, the "girls"--masquerade as the proprietors of a ballet school while assisting a young inventor and avoiding shady racketeers, in "The Dancing Masters" (1943). Trudy Marshall, Robert Bailey also star. Finally, one of Laurel and Hardy's last feature comedies finds them heading to Mexico for a rest, only to run into gangsters who mistake Stan for a top matador. A great closing sight gag highlights "The Bullfighters" (1945). With Margo Woode, Lane. 3 1/4 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary; bonus short "Tree in a Test Tube" (1943); featurettes; newsreel footage; theatrical trailers.
Red Ryder Triple Feature, Vol. 12 [DVD] DVD
First, "Lone Texas Ranger" (1945) features Bill Elliott as Red Ryder, who discovers that a beloved sheriff has been shielding illegal activities like gambling and murder. When Red pulls the cover off the crooked lawman, Red has to face the admiring townspeople. With Bobby Blake and Alice Fleming. Next, claimjumpers stop at nothing for their share of the "California Gold Rush" (1946), a brawling tale of adventure set in 1850s California. Elliott, Blake star. Finally, the "Homesteaders of Paradise Valley" (1947) try to construct a dam to make their little plot of heaven complete...and only Red Ryder and Little Beaver can stop a pack of sinister sidewinders from blowing their dreams to bits! Allan Lane, Blake star. 171 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo.
Bells Of Rosarita [DVD](1945) DVD
When crooks try to swindle Dale Evans out of her ranch and travelling circus, Roy Rogers and "Gabby" Hayes ride to her rescue, along with an all-star cavalry: Red Barry, Wild Bill Elliott, Rocky Lane, and Sunset Carson. 68 min.
Red Ryder Double Feature, Vol. 2 [DVD] DVD
First up, "Stagecoach to Denver" (1946) finds a band of money-grubbin' profiteers out to kill the child that stands between them and their ill-gotten gains...unless Red Ryder and Little Beaver can put 'em down. Then, in "Vigilantes of Boomtown" (1947) a prizefight between heavyweight champ James J. Corbett and Bob Fitzsimmons brings Red Ryder and Little Beaver to Carson City, but bank robbers and a kidnapping threaten to put Red out for the count. Allan Lane, Bobby Blake, Roy Barcroft star. 112 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English; interview; photo gallery; biographies; theatrical trailer.
Red Ryder Double Feature, Vol. 4 [DVD] DVD
Making their last appearance in the "Red Ryder" series in "Marshal of Cripple Creek" (1947), Allan Lane and pint-sized sidekick Bobby Blake help an outlaw-turned cook tackle the band of coyotes who've been hijacking gold shipments from a Colorado mine. And for all those who thought he just bought the little rascal outright from Spanky McFarland, discover the real story of how frontier hero Red Ryder (Allan Lane) hooked up with sidekick Little Beaver (Bobby Blake) in 1947's "Oregon Trail Scouts." 118 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English; biographies; bonus "Red Ryder" TV episode.
Red Ryder Double Feature, Vol. 8 [DVD] DVD
Allan "Rocky" Lane is Red Ryder, and Bobby Blake his young ally Little Beaver, in "Rustlers of Devil's Canyon" (1947), where they are caught in the middle of a war between homesteaders, ranchers and cattle rustlers. Red does his cowboy best to halt the rustlers and forge a pow-wow between the combatants. With Martha Wentworth, Arthur Space. Next, Lane and Blake return in "Santa Fe Uprising" (1946), in which the duo have to bring a frontier town's crooked civic leader to justice. Alice Fleming also stars. 107 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; photo gallery; biographies; bonus "Adventures of Red Ryder" serial chapters five and six.
Carson City Raiders(1948) VHS
Stunt-filled western yarn with Allan "Rocky" Lane as an express company agent who rids the townspeople of Carson City of a group of crooks led by the town's nefarious banker. Eddy Walker and Frank Reicher also star; features some amazing action scenes directed by Yakima Canutt. 60 min.
Oklahoma Badlands(1948) VHS
Legendary stunt man Yakima Canutt directs Allan "Rocky" Lane in this land rush saga about a dirty newspaper publisher who masterminds a scheme to drive a pretty rancher off her claim. With Mildred Coles. 59 min.
Death Valley Gunfighters(1949) VHS
Allan "Rocky" Lane is the western hero who helps miners from Death Valley who are duped out of their silver mine by an outlaw gang. With George Cheseboro, Jim Nolan and Forrest Taylor.
Rough Riders Of Durango(1951) VHS
Allan "Rocky" Lane stars in this sagebrusher that finds him helping some ranchers swindled in an elaborate scheme that left them bankrupt after taking out loans to cover their stolen wheat shipments. Denver Pyle, Ross Ford and Aline Towne co-star.
Captive Of Billy The Kid(1952) VHS
Five of Billy the Kid's compadres are set to regroup in order to piece together parts of a map that leads to the Kid's hidden cash. When some of the associates are discovered to be dead and parts of the map are found to be missing, Allan "Rocky" Lane steps in to solve the mystery. Clayton Moore, Roy Barcroft and Grant Withers also star.
The Marshal Of Cedar Rock [VHS](1953) VHS
A rotten railroad agent is buying up cheap land by the barrelful, and doesn't care who he has to hurt to do it...but you can bet Allan ``Rocky'' Lane is going to derail his sidewinding schemes! Phyllis Coates, Roy Barcroft, Kenneth MacDonald co-star. 54 min.
Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Season Three [DVD](1957) DVD
All 39 episodes from the series's third season--including "The Glass Eye" (with Jessica Tandy and William Shatner), "Together" (with Joseph Cotten), "Foghorn" (with Michael Rennie), "A Dip in the Poole" (with Fay Wray), and "Little White Frock" (with Julie Adams)--are collected in a five-disc set. 17 2/3 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH).
filmography
FILM
Posse from Hell (1961) with Audie Murphy, John Saxon, Lee Van Cleef, and Vic Morrow
Hell Bent for Leather (1960) with Audie Murphy, Stephen McNally, and Felicia Farr
The Saga of Hemp Brown (1958) with Beverly Garland, Rory Calhoun, Russell Johnson, Yvette Vickers, and John Larch
El Paso Stampede (1953) with Phyllis Coates and Eddy Waller
Bandits of the West (1953) with Cathy Downs and Eddy Waller
Savage Frontier (1953) with Eddy Waller
Marshal of Cedar Rock (1953) with Phyllis Coates, Robert Shayne, and Eddy Waller
Desperadoes' Outpost (1952) with Myron Healey, Lyle Talbot, and Eddy Waller
Leadville Gunslinger (1952) with Grant Withers and Eddy Waller
Captive of Billy the Kid (1952) with Grant Withers, Penny Edwards, and Clayton Moore
Desert of Lost Men (1951) with Mary Ellen Kay
Fort Dodge Stampede (1951) with Chubby Johnson and Mary Ellen Kay
Wells Fargo Gunmaster (1951) with Chubby Johnson and Mary Ellen Kay
Night Riders of Montana (1951) with Chubby Johnson, Claudia Barrett, and Myron Healey
Rough Riders of Durango (1951) with Denver Pyle
Rustlers on Horseback (1950) with George Nader, Claudia Barrett, and Eddy Waller
Frisco Tornado (1950) with Martha Hyer and Eddy Waller
Trail of Robin Hood (1950) with Roy Rogers, Penny Edwards, Rex Allen, Monte Hale, Tom Tyler, Ray 'Crash' Corrigan, Kermit Maynard, and Jack Holt
Vigilante Hideout (1950) with Eddy Waller
Salt Lake Raiders (1950) with with Martha Hyer, Byron Foulger, Myron Healey, and Eddy Waller
Code of the Silver Sage (1950) with Kenne Duncan and Eddy Waller
Gunmen of Abilene (1950) with Eddy Waller
Powder River Rustlers (1949) with Eddy Waller
Navajo Trail Raiders (1949) with Eddy Waller
Bandit King of Texas (1949) with Eddy Waller
The Wyoming Bandit (1949) with Eddy Waller
Frontier Marshal (1949) with Gail Davis, Clayton Moore, and Eddy Waller
Death Valley Gunfighter (1949) with Gail Davis and Eddy Waller
Sheriff of Wichita (1949) with Clayton Moore and Eddy Waller
Renegades of Sonora (1948) with Eddy Waller
Sundown in Santa Fe (1948) with Eddy Waller
The Denver Kid (1948) with Hank Patterson and Eddy Waller
Desperadoes of Dodge City (1948) with Eddy Waller
Marshal of Amarillo (1948) with Denver Pyle, Clayton Moore, and Eddy Waller
Carson City Raiders (1948) with Eddy Waller
The Bold Frontiersman (1948) with Eddy Waller
Oklahoma Badlands (1948) with Hank Patterson and Eddy Waller
Bandits of Dark Canyon (1947) with Bob Steele and Eddy Waller
The Wild Frontier (1947) with Eddy Waller
Marshal of Cripple Creek (1947) with Robert Blake
The Rustlers of Devil's Canyon (1947) with Robert Blake
Oregon Trail Scouts (1947) with Robert Blake
Homesteaders of Paradise Valley (1947) with Robert Blake
Vigilantes of Boomtown (1947) with Robert Blake
Gay Blades (1946) with Jean Rogers and Frank Albertson
Stagecoach to Denver (1946) with Robert Blake
Santa Fe Uprising (1946) with Robert Blake
Night Train to Memphis (1946) with Roy Acuff and Adele Mara
A Guy Could Change (1946) with Jane Frazee, Gerald Mohr, Adele Mara, Robert Blake, and Twinkle Watts
Trail of Kit Carson (1945) with Kenne Duncan and Twinkle Watts
Corpus Christi Bandits (1945) with Kenne Duncan and Twinkle Watts
The Topeka Terror (1945) with Linda Stirling and Twinkle Watts
Sheriff of Sundown (1944) with Linda Stirling, Duncan Renaldo, Kenne Duncan, Max Terhune, and Twinkle Watts
Stagecoach to Monterey (1944) with Kenne Duncan and Twinkle Watts
Silver City Kid (1944) with Peggy Stewart, Glenn Strange, and Twinkle Watts
The Tiger Woman (1944) with Linda Stirling, Duncan Renaldo, and Kenne Duncan
Call of the South Seas (1944) with Duncan Renaldo and Adele Mara
The Dancing Masters (1943) with Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, and Margaret Dumont
Daredevils of the West (1943)
King of the Mounties (1942) a Republic Pictures 12-chapter serial
All American Co-Ed (1941) with Frances Langford and Harry Langdon
King of the Royal Mounted (1940) a Republic Pictures 12-chapter serial
Grand Ole Opry (1940)
Conspiracy (1939)
The Spellbinder (1939) with Lee Tracy
Panama Lady (1939) with Lucille Ball and Evelyn Brent
They Made Her a Spy (1939) with Sally Eilers
Twelve Crowded Hours (1939) with Lucille Ball and Richard Dix
Pacific Liner (1938) with Chester Morris, Wendy Barrie, and Victor McLaglen
Law West of Tombstone (1938) with Tim Holt, Evelyn Brent, and Harry Carey
Fugitives for a Night (1938) with Frank Albertson
Crime Ring (1938)
Having a Wonderful Time (1938) with Ginger Rogers, Eve Arden, Lucille Ball, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and Grady Sutton
This Marriage Business (1938) with Cecil Kellaway and Jack Carson
Maid's Night Out (1938) with Joan Fontaine, Cecil Kellaway, Hedda Hopper, and Billy Gilbert
Night Spot (1938) with Cecil Kellaway and Jack Carson
The Duke Comes Back (1937)
Sing and Be Happy (1937) with Joan Davis and Tony Martin
Big Business (1937) with Spring Byington
Fifty Races to Town (1937) with Don Ameche and Ann Sothern
Charlie Chan at the Olympics (1937) with Warner Oland, Katherine DeMille, and Keye Luke
Stowaway (1936) with Shirley Temple, Alice Faye, and Robert Young
Laughing at Trouble (1936) with Jane Darwell and Margaret Hamilton
Heavens! My Husband (1932) with Andy Clyde
War Mamas (1931) with Thelma Todd and Zasu Pitts
Honor of the Family (1931) with Bebe Daniels and Alan Mowbray
Love in the Rough (1930) with Robert Montgomery
The Forward Pass (1929) with Loretta Young and Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
Knights Out (1929)
Not Quite Decent (1929) with June Collyer
TELEVISION
Mister Ed, 1961-1966 syndicated and later CBS TV series. Lane provided the voice for Mister Ed
Red Ryder, 1956-1957 TV series. Lane portrayed Red Ryder
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This page premiered May 2, 2003.
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