Allan Lane
Encyclopedia
Allan "Rocky" Lane was a studio leading man
and the star of many cowboy
B-movies
in the 1940s and 1950s. He appeared in more than 125 films and TV shows in a career lasting from 1929 to 1966. He also did the voice of the talking horse on the television
series Mister Ed
, beginning in 1961.
to William H. Albershardt and his wife Linnie Anne. He grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan
, and is said to have studied at Notre Dame University, where he played on the football, basketball, and baseball teams. However, he dropped out to pursue an acting career. 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.
with his role in Not Quite Decent.
From 1929 through 1936, he appeared in twenty-four films. In 1937 his career began to soar; he was a hit in 1938's The Law West of Tombstone. In 1940, he portrayed "RCMP Sergeant Dave King," the role becoming one of his most notable successes. The first was King of the Royal Mounted
, a 1940 serial adaptation of Zane Grey
's King of the Royal Mounted
, with Lane playing the lead role. He starred in several Canadian Mounted Police films, including the serial's The Yukon Patrol and King of the Mounties
. He is best remembered for these today. In 1946 and 1947, he portrayed "Red Ryder
" in seven films. In 1947 he became "Rocky Lane" in western films.
Between 1940 through 1966, Lane made eighty-two film and television series appearances, mostly in westerns. Between 1947 and 1953, he made over 30 B-movie
westerns (as "Rocky" Lane) with his faithful horse 'Black Jack'. His last roles were in voice over acting, including providing the speech for Mister Ed
(1961–1966). In 2003 he won the TV Land Award for the category "Favorite Pet-Human Relationship" as Mr. Ed.
Guest appearances
.
Leading man
Leading man or leading gentleman is an informal term for the actor who plays a love interest to the leading actress in a film or play. A leading man is usually an all rounder; capable of singing, dancing, and acting at a professional level, but never outshining his female co-star...
and the star of many cowboy
Cowboy
A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the vaquero traditions of northern Mexico and became a figure of...
B-movies
B movie
A B movie is a low-budget commercial motion picture that is not definitively an arthouse or pornographic film. In its original usage, during the Golden Age of Hollywood, the term more precisely identified a film intended for distribution as the less-publicized, bottom half of a double feature....
in the 1940s and 1950s. He appeared in more than 125 films and TV shows in a career lasting from 1929 to 1966. He also did the voice of the talking horse on the television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
series Mister Ed
Mister Ed
Originally produced in late 1960, Mister Ed is an American television situation comedy produced by Filmways that first aired in syndication from January 5 to July 2, 1961, and then on CBS from October 1, 1961, to February 6, 1966....
, beginning in 1961.
Biography
Lane was born as Harry Leonard Albershardt in Mishawaka, IndianaMishawaka, Indiana
Mishawaka is a city on the St. Joseph River and a Twin city of South Bend in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States. The population was 48,252 as of the 2010 Census...
to William H. Albershardt and his wife Linnie Anne. He grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
, and is said to have studied at Notre Dame University, where he played on the football, basketball, and baseball teams. However, he dropped out to pursue an acting career. 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.
Film career
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).Lane's Hollywood career began in 19291929 in film
-Events:The days of the silent film are numbered. A mad scramble to provide synchronized sound is on.*January 20 - The movie In Old Arizona is released. The film is the first full-length talking film to be filmed outdoors....
with his role in Not Quite Decent.
From 1929 through 1936, he appeared in twenty-four films. In 1937 his career began to soar; he was a hit in 1938's The Law West of Tombstone. In 1940, he portrayed "RCMP Sergeant Dave King," the role becoming one of his most notable successes. The first was King of the Royal Mounted
King of the Royal Mounted (serial)
King of the Royal Mounted is a Republic Pictures northern serial based on the King of the Royal Mounted Comic strip directed by William Witney and John English....
, a 1940 serial adaptation of Zane Grey
Zane Grey
Zane Grey was an American author best known for his popular adventure novels and stories that presented an idealized image of the Old West. Riders of the Purple Sage was his bestselling book. In addition to the success of his printed works, they later had second lives and continuing influence...
's King of the Royal Mounted
King of the Royal Mounted
King of the Royal Mounted is a fictional series featuring the character Dave King, created by Stephen Slesinger in 1936. Slesinger licensed popular Western writer Zane Grey's byline and marketed the character as Zane Grey's King of the Royal Mounted....
, with Lane playing the lead role. He starred in several Canadian Mounted Police films, including the serial's The Yukon Patrol and King of the Mounties
King of the Mounties
King of the Mounties is a Republic film serial.-Cast:* Allan Lane as Sgt Dave King* Gilbert Emery as Commissioner Morrison* Russell Hicks as Marshal Carleton* Peggy Drake as Carol Brent* George Irving as Prof Marshall Brent...
. He is best remembered for these today. In 1946 and 1947, he portrayed "Red Ryder
Red Ryder
Red Ryder was a popular long-running Western comic strip created by Stephen Slesinger and artist Fred Harman. Beginning Sunday, November 6, 1938, Red Ryder was syndicated by Newspaper Enterprise Association, expanding over the following decade to 750 newspapers, translations into ten languages and...
" in seven films. In 1947 he became "Rocky Lane" in western films.
Between 1940 through 1966, Lane made eighty-two film and television series appearances, mostly in westerns. Between 1947 and 1953, he made over 30 B-movie
B-movie
A B movie is a low-budget commercial motion picture that is not definitively an arthouse or pornographic film. In its original usage, during the Golden Age of Hollywood, the term more precisely identified a film intended for distribution as the less-publicized, bottom half of a double feature....
westerns (as "Rocky" Lane) with his faithful horse 'Black Jack'. His last roles were in voice over acting, including providing the speech for Mister Ed
Mister Ed
Originally produced in late 1960, Mister Ed is an American television situation comedy produced by Filmways that first aired in syndication from January 5 to July 2, 1961, and then on CBS from October 1, 1961, to February 6, 1966....
(1961–1966). In 2003 he won the TV Land Award for the category "Favorite Pet-Human Relationship" as Mr. Ed.
As Red Ryder
- Santa Fe Uprising (1946)
- Stagecoach to DenverStagecoach to Denver- Cast :*Allan Lane as Red Ryder*Robert Blake as Little Beaver*Martha Wentworth as The Duchess *Roy Barcroft as Big Bill Lambert*Peggy Stewart as "Beautiful" *Emmett Lynn as Coonskin*Ted Adams as Sheriff...
(1946) - Vigilantes of Boomtown (1947)
- Homesteaders of Paradise Valley (1947)
- Oregon Trail Scouts (1947)
- Rustlers of Devil's Canyon (1947)
- Marshal of Cripple Creek(1947)
Filmography
- Not Quite Decent (1929) with June Collyer
- Knights Out (1929)
- The Forward PassThe Forward PassThe Forward Pass, also known as To match tis doxis in Greece, is a 1929 black-and-white American football musical film directed by Edward F. Cline, starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr and Loretta Young. John Wayne was an uncredited extra in the film. The film is believed to be lost.-Cast:* Douglas...
(1929) with Loretta Young and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. - Love in the Rough (1930) with Robert Montgomery
- Honor of the FamilyHonor of the FamilyHonor of the Family is a dramatic film released by First National Pictures, , starring Bebe Daniels and Warren William. It was based on the play by Emil Fabre, from a story by Honoré de Balzac....
(1931) with Bebe Daniels and Alan Mowbray - Expensive WomenExpensive WomenExpensive Women is a 1931 talking film drama. It is very much a Pre-Code type of story. It was produced by First National and distributed through their parent company Warner Brothers. The film was directed by silent film veteran Hobart Henley and starred Dolores Costello. This film was Costello's...
(1931) with Dolores Costello - War Mamas (1931) with Thelma Todd and Zasu Pitts
- Heavens! My Husband (1932) with Andy Clyde
- Laughing at Trouble (1936) with Jane Darwell and Margaret Hamilton
- Stowaway (1936) with Shirley Temple, Alice Faye, and Robert Young
- Charlie Chan at the OlympicsCharlie Chan at the OlympicsCharlie Chan at the Olympics is possibly the most topical Charlie Chan film, as it features actual footage from the 1936 Berlin Olympics. There is also a scene where Charlie crosses the Atlantic in the Hindenburg...
(1937) with Warner Oland, Katherine DeMille, and Keye Luke - Fifty Races to Town (1937) with Don Ameche and Ann Sothern
- Big Business (1937) with Spring Byington
- Sing and Be Happy (1937) with Joan Davis and Tony Martin
- The Duke Comes BackThe Duke Comes BackThe Duke Comes Back in a 1933 novel by Lucian Cary which tells the story of a retired boxing champion lured out of retirement for one final bout. It served as the basis for two films, The Call of the Ring in 1937 and Duke of Chicago in 1949....
(1937) - Night Spot (1938) with Cecil Kellaway and Jack Carson
- Maid's Night OutMaid's Night OutMaid's Night Out is a 1938 American romantic comedy film made by RKO Radio Pictures. It was directed by Ben Holmes from a screenplay by Bert Granet, adapted by from the radio play Certified by Willoughby Speyers....
(1938) with Joan Fontaine, Cecil Kellaway, Hedda Hopper, and Billy Gilbert - This Marriage Business (1938) with Cecil Kellaway and Jack Carson
- Having Wonderful TimeHaving Wonderful TimeHaving Wonderful Time is a 1938 romantic comedy film released by RKO Radio Pictures.-Plot summary :A bored New York office girl , goes to a camp in the Catskill Mountains called Camp Kare Free, for rest and to get away from the noise, busy, city life and finds a handsome waiter , and they fall in...
(1938) with Ginger Rogers, Eve Arden, Lucille Ball, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and Grady Sutton - Crime Ring (1938)
- Fugitives for a Night (1938) with Frank Albertson
- Law West of Tombstone (1938) with Tim Holt, Evelyn Brent, and Harry Carey
- Pacific Liner (1938) with Chester Morris, Wendy Barrie, and Victor McLaglen
- Twelve Crowded HoursTwelve Crowded HoursTwelve Crowded Hours is a 1939 film starring Richard Dix and Lucille Ball....
(1939) with Lucille Ball and Richard Dix - They Made Her a Spy (1939) with Sally Eilers
- Panama LadyPanama Lady- External links :*...
(1939) with Lucille Ball and Evelyn Brent - The Spellbinder (1939) with Lee Tracy
- Conspiracy (1939)
- Grand Ole Opry (1940)
- King of the Royal MountedKing of the Royal MountedKing of the Royal Mounted is a fictional series featuring the character Dave King, created by Stephen Slesinger in 1936. Slesinger licensed popular Western writer Zane Grey's byline and marketed the character as Zane Grey's King of the Royal Mounted....
(1940) a Republic Pictures 12-chapter serial - All American Co-Ed (1941) with Frances Langford and Harry Langdon
- King of the MountiesKing of the MountiesKing of the Mounties is a Republic film serial.-Cast:* Allan Lane as Sgt Dave King* Gilbert Emery as Commissioner Morrison* Russell Hicks as Marshal Carleton* Peggy Drake as Carol Brent* George Irving as Prof Marshall Brent...
(1942) a Republic Pictures 12-chapter serial - Daredevils of the WestDaredevils of the WestDaredevils of the West is a Republic Movie serial.Daredevils of the West is a lightning-fast-paced Western cliffhanger serial released by Republic Pictures in 1943 starring Allan Lane and Kay Aldridge...
(1943) - The Dancing MastersThe Dancing MastersThe Dancing Masters is a 1943 Laurel and Hardy feature film. The plot involves the team running a ballet school, and getting involved with an inventor...
(1943) with Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, and Margaret Dumont - Call of the South Seas (1944) with Duncan Renaldo and Adele Mara
- The Tiger WomanThe Tiger Woman (1944 film)The Tiger Woman is a 12-chapter Republic film serial starring Allan Lane and Linda Stirling . The serial was re-released in 1951 under the title Perils of the Darkest Jungle and, in 1966, it was edited into the 100-minute Century-66 film Jungle Gold.Linda Stirling is a jungle girl lost in the...
(1944) with Linda Stirling, Duncan Renaldo, and Kenne Duncan - Silver City Kid (1944) with Peggy Stewart, Glenn Strange, and Twinkle Watts
- Stagecoach to Monterey (1944) with Kenne Duncan and Twinkle Watts
- Sheriff of Sundown (1944) with Linda Stirling, Duncan Renaldo, Kenne Duncan, Max Terhune, and Twinkle Watts
- The Topeka Terror (1945) with Linda Stirling and Twinkle Watts
- Corpus Christi Bandits (1945) with Kenne Duncan and Twinkle Watts
- Trail of Kit Carson (1945) with Kenne Duncan and Twinkle Watts
- A Guy Could ChangeA Guy Could ChangeA Guy Could Change is a 1946 American drama film starring Allan Lane and Jane Frazee.-Cast:*Allan Lane as Michael 'Mike' Hogan*Jane Frazee as Barbara Adams*Twinkle Watts as Nancy Hogan*Robert Blake as Alan Schroeder*Wallace Ford as Bill Conley...
(1946) with Jane Frazee, Gerald Mohr, Adele Mara, Robert Blake, and Twinkle Watts - Night Train to Memphis (1946) with Roy Acuff and Adele Mara
- Santa Fe Uprising (1946) with Robert Blake
- Stagecoach to DenverStagecoach to Denver- Cast :*Allan Lane as Red Ryder*Robert Blake as Little Beaver*Martha Wentworth as The Duchess *Roy Barcroft as Big Bill Lambert*Peggy Stewart as "Beautiful" *Emmett Lynn as Coonskin*Ted Adams as Sheriff...
(1946) with Robert Blake - Gay Blades (1946) with Jean Rogers and Frank Albertson
- Vigilantes of Boomtown (1947) with Robert Blake
- Homesteaders of Paradise Valley (1947) with Robert Blake
- Oregon Trail Scouts (1947) with Robert Blake
- The Rustlers of Devil's Canyon (1947) with Robert Blake
- Marshal of Cripple Creek (1947) with Robert Blake
- The Wild Frontier (1947) with Eddy Waller
- Bandits of Dark Canyon (1947) with Bob Steele and Eddy Waller
- Oklahoma Badlands (1948) with Hank Patterson and Eddy Waller
- The Bold Frontiersman (1948) with Eddy Waller
- Carson City Raiders (1948) with Eddy Waller
- Marshal of Amarillo (1948) with Denver Pyle, Clayton Moore, and Eddy Waller
- Desperadoes of Dodge City (1948) with Eddy Waller
- The Denver Kid (1948) with Hank Patterson and Eddy Waller
- Sundown in Santa Fe (1948) with Eddy Waller
- Renegades of Sonora (1948) with Eddy Waller
- Sheriff of Wichita (1949) with Clayton Moore and Eddy Waller
- Death Valley Gunfighter (1949) with Gail Davis and Eddy Waller
- Frontier Marshal (1949) with Gail Davis, Clayton Moore, and Eddy Waller
- The Wyoming Bandit (1949) with Eddy Waller
- Bandit King of Texas (1949) with Eddy Waller
- Navajo Trail Raiders (1949) with Eddy Waller
- Powder River Rustlers (1949) with Eddy Waller
- Gunmen of Abilene (1950) with Eddy Waller
- Code of the Silver Sage (1950) with Kenne Duncan and Eddy Waller
- Salt Lake Raiders (1950) with Martha Hyer, Byron Foulger, Myron Healey, and Eddy Waller
- Vigilante Hideout (1950) with Eddy Waller
- Trail of Robin HoodTrail of Robin HoodTrail of Robin Hood is a 1950 American Trucolor film starring Roy Rogers and filmed in the San Bernardino Mountains and Big Bear Lake California...
(1950) with Roy Rogers, Penny Edwards, Rex Allen, Monte Hale, Tom Tyler, Ray 'Crash' Corrigan, Kermit Maynard, and Jack Holt - Frisco Tornado (1950) with Martha Hyer and Eddy Waller
- Rustlers on Horseback (1950) with George Nader, Claudia Barrett, and Eddy Waller
- Rough Riders of Durango (1951) with Denver Pyle
- Night Riders of Montana (1951) with Chubby Johnson, Claudia Barrett, and Myron Healey
- Wells Fargo Gunmaster (1951) with Chubby Johnson and Mary Ellen Kay
- Fort Dodge StampedeFort Dodge StampedeFort Dodge Stampede is a 1951 western film produced and directed by Harry Keller and starring Allan Lane. This film is one of 34 'B-movie' westerns filmed between 1947 and 1953 featuring Allan 'Rocky' Lane and his horse Black Jack.-Plot synopsis:...
(1951) with Chubby Johnson and Mary Ellen Kay - Desert of Lost Men (1951) with Mary Ellen Kay
- Captive of Billy the Kid (1952) with Grant Withers, Penny Edwards, and Clayton Moore
- Leadville Gunslinger (1952) with Grant Withers and Eddy Waller
- Desperadoes' Outpost (1952) with Myron Healey, Lyle Talbot, and Eddy Waller
- Marshal of Cedar Rock (1953) with Phyllis Coates, Robert Shayne, and Eddy Waller
- Savage Frontier (1953) with Eddy Waller
- Bandits of the West (1953) with Cathy Downs and Eddy Waller
- El Paso Stampede (1953) with Phyllis Coates and Eddy Waller
- The Saga of Hemp Brown (1958) with Beverly Garland, Rory Calhoun, Russell Johnson, Yvette Vickers, and John Larch
- Hell Bent for Leather (1960) with Audie Murphy, Stephen McNally, and Felicia Farr
- Posse from HellPosse from HellPosse from Hell is a 1961 Audie Murphy Western written by Clair Huffaker based on his 1958 novel of the same name. Herbert Coleman made his directoral debut.-Plot:...
(1961) with Audie Murphy, John Saxon, Lee Van Cleef, and Vic Morrow
Television
Series- Mister EdMister EdOriginally produced in late 1960, Mister Ed is an American television situation comedy produced by Filmways that first aired in syndication from January 5 to July 2, 1961, and then on CBS from October 1, 1961, to February 6, 1966....
, 1961-1966 syndicated and later CBS TV series. Lane provided the voice for Mister Ed - Red RyderRed RyderRed Ryder was a popular long-running Western comic strip created by Stephen Slesinger and artist Fred Harman. Beginning Sunday, November 6, 1938, Red Ryder was syndicated by Newspaper Enterprise Association, expanding over the following decade to 750 newspapers, translations into ten languages and...
, 1956-1957 TV series. Lane portrayed Red Ryder
Guest appearances
- CheyenneCheyenne (TV series)Cheyenne is a western television series of 108 black-and-white episodes broadcast on ABC from 1955 to 1963. The show was the first hour-long western, and in fact the first hour-long dramatic series of any kind, with continuing characters, to last more than one season...
, episode "Massacre at Gunsight Pass", originally aired May 1, 1961 - GunsmokeGunsmokeGunsmoke is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. The stories take place in and around Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West....
, episode "Long Hours, Short Pay", originally aired April 29, 1961 - Bonanza, episode "The Blood Line", originally aired December 31, 1960
- Gunsmoke, episode "The Badge", originally aired November 12, 1960
- LawmanLawman (tv series)Lawman is an American Western television series originally telecast from 1958 to 1962 starring John Russell as Marshal Dan Troop and featuring Peter Brown as Deputy Marshal Johnny McKay on the ABC Television Network. The series was set in Laramie, Wyoming during the mid to late 1870s. Warner Bros....
, episode "The Payment", originally aired May 8, 1960 - BroncoBronco (TV series)Bronco is a Western series on ABC from 1958 through 1962. It was shown by the BBC in the United Kingdom. The program starred Ty Hardin as Bronco Layne, a former Confederate officer who wandered the Old West, meeting such well-known individuals as Wild Bill Hickok, Billy the Kid, Jesse James,...
, episode "Death of an Outlaw", originally aired March 8, 1960 - Colt .45Colt .45 (TV series)Colt .45 is an American Western television series shown on ABC between 1957 and 1960. The half-hour show derives from the 1950 Warner Brothers film of the same name starring Randolph Scott and formed part of the William T...
, episode "Arizona Anderson", originally aired February 14, 1960 - Tales of Wells FargoTales of Wells FargoTales of Wells Fargo is an American Western television series that ran from March 18, 1957 to June 2, 1962 on NBC. Produced by Revue Productions, the series aired in a half-hour format until its final season when it expanded to an hour.-Synopsis:...
, episode "The Reward", originally aired April 21, 1958 - Wagon TrainWagon TrainWagon Train is an American Western series that ran on NBC from 1957–62 and then on ABC from 1962–65...
, episode "The Daniel Barrister Story", originally aired April 16, 1958 - Alfred Hitchcock PresentsAlfred Hitchcock PresentsAlfred Hitchcock Presents is an American television anthology series hosted by Alfred Hitchcock. The series featured dramas, thrillers, and mysteries. By the premiere of the show on October 2, 1955, Hitchcock had been directing films for over three decades...
, episode "Lamb to the Slaughter", originally aired April 13, 1958 - Gunsmoke, episode "Texas Cowboys", originally aired April 5, 1958
- Mike Hammer, episode "Husbands Are Bad Luck", originally aired 1957
Death
Lane retired after 1966, and was residing in Woodland Hills, California at the time of his death to cancer in 1973, at age 64. He is buried in Inglewood Park CemeteryInglewood Park Cemetery
Inglewood Park Cemetery was founded in 1905 in Inglewood, California. A number of notable people, including entertainment and sports personalities, have been interred or entombed here.-List of notable and celebrity interments at Inglewood Park:...
.