Allan Lane Movies
Born Harold Albershart, he played football and modeled before working as a stage actor in the late '20s. He debuted onscreen in Not Quite Decent (1929), playing the romantic lead; he had similar roles in 25 films made during the '30s at various studios. He began starring in serials in 1940. In 1944 he made his first starring Western, and for almost a decade he was a Western star, twice appearing (1951 and 1953) on the Top Ten Western Money-makers list and appearing in over 100 features and serials, often with his "wonder" horse Blackjack; he portrayed Red Ryder in eight films, then adopted the name "Rocky" Lane in 1947. After B-movie Westerns fizzled out in 1953 his career came to a virtual halt, and he had supporting roles in just three more films. In the '60s he was the dubbed voice of the talking horse on the TV sitcom Mr. Ed. ~ All Movie Guide- 1966
Jungle Gold is the 100-minute cutdown version of the 12-episode Republic serial The Tiger Woman. Linda Stirling makes her serial debut as the Tiger Woman, an athletic young lady who aids hero Allan Lane in his efforts to track down criminals in the jungle town of Alta Vista. Lane is a representative of an oil firm whose fields are being sabotaged by persons unknown. The Tiger Woman is blamed for the sabotage, but she is able to expose the real criminals and their motives, and also to discover her own true identity. The thrilling "cliff hanger" climaxes are somewhat blunted by repetition in this reedited feature, but Perils of the Darkest Jungle still proves beyond doubt that Republic was head and shoulders above everyone else in the chapter-play business. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
Audie Murphy plays a gunslinger put in charge of a posse. His quarry is a four-man bandit gang that has robbed the local bank, killed several citizens and abducted leading lady Zohra Lampert. Though Lampert is obviously a New York-based actress, it is John Saxon who plays the tenderfoot Manhattanite posse member, unaccustomed to the Wild West. It's nip and tuck for a while, but Audie Murphy successfully completes his mission and rescues the hostage. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Audie Murphy, John Saxon, (more)
- 1960
In the 13th episode of Walt Disney's 17-part miniseries Tales of Texas John Slaughter, John (Tom Tryon) finds himself in the uncomfortable position of mediating an argument between his son Willie (Brian Corcoran) and his new bride Viola (Betty Lynn). This domestic disturbance is temporarily shelved when word arrives that Apache marauders are killing the local ranchers' cattle. Hoping to stem this wave of terror, John pays a visit to his Indian friend Natchez (Jay Silverheels), who is now chief of the Apaches. Alas, the situation is beyond Natchez' control; the person responsible for the present crisis is the renegade Geronimo (Pat Hogan). Much against the wishes of his family, John tries to bring Geronimo out into the open by challenging the Apache to mortal combat. Originally telecast as part of the Walt Disney Presents anthology, "Geronimo's Revenge" and the 1961 episode "The End of the Trail" were edited together in 1964 and released theatrically overseas as a "feature film," also titled Geronimo's Revenge. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
In the 12th episode of Walt Disney's 17-part miniseries Tales of Texas John Slaughter, widower John (Tom Tryon) has finally wed the lovely Viola Howell (Betty Lynn), thus providing a mother for his children Willie (Brian Corcoran) and Addy (Patricia Gorman). En route to register his land claim, John rescues his old friend Ashley Carstairs (Darryl Hickman) from ambushers. Having returned to Tombstone to deliver the two Kentucky Thoroughbred horses that he promised John a few episodes back, Ashley proves to be much more short-tempered and quicker to use his guns than before. Fueling Ashley's anger is the fact that he himself was once in love with John's new bride Viola. "Kentucky Gunslick" first aired as part of the Walt Disney Presents anthology. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
Hell Bent for Leather is a standard western that features Audie Murphy in the role of Clay, a cowboy hunted by a posse out for blood. Clay deals and trade in horses in an honest way, and he does not suspect that a crooked U.S. Marshal (Stephen McNally) interested in furthering his career, is determined to nab him as a killer though he knows full well Clay is innocent. When first attacked, Clay grabs a hostage (Felicia Farr) who eventually sides with him and helps him in the long chase that follows. Clay's challenge is not only to get away from the Marshal and his posse but to somehow prove his innocence as well. Murphy, the most decorated soldier in World War II was still riding the popularity of his own real-life story in 1955's To Hell and Back when this western was released. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Audie Murphy, Felicia Farr, (more)
- 1958
Saga of Hemp Brown gets under way when the title character (Rory Calhoun) is court-martialed and booted from the Cavalry. Brown is accused of permitting his men to walk into a deadly ambush; he knows he's innocent, and he spends the rest of the picture tracking down the real culprit. Joining a travelling medicine show, Brown falls in love with pretty snake-oil peddler Mona Langley (Beverly Garland). She is instrumental in helping Brown corner the mastermind behind the ambush (whose identity must remain secret in this paragraph). As a western, Saga of Hemp Brown is more of the same; the film's greatest strength is the unstressed rapport between stars Rory Calhoun and Beverly Garland. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rory Calhoun, Beverly Garland, (more)
- 1958
This classic Emmy-nominated episode stars Barbara Bel Geddes as Mary Maloney, the wife of philandering police chief Patrick Maloney (played by former cowboy star Allan Lane, best known to TV fans as the voice of Mister Ed). When Patrick comes home to tell his wife that he is leaving her for another woman, the outraged Mary clubs her husband to death with a frozen leg of lamb. She then calls the police to announce that she has come home to find her husband dead, with no murder weapon in sight. Eventually the cops arrive to comb the Maloney apartment for evidence -- little realizing that the solution to the crime is literally under their noses. Arguably the most famous Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode of all, "Lamb to the Slaughter" is one of those rare murder yarns which can be enjoyed repeatedly even after the viewer knows the outcome. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1953
Savage Frontier stars Allan "Rocky" Lane in his familiar movie guise as a U.S. marshal. A criminal gang, run by a mysterious "Mister Big," has been knocking off lawmen left and right. Once the audience is introduced to Roy Barcroft as leading citizen William Oakes, the mystery surrounding the identity of the criminal mastermind is over. No matter: the film's action content is worth the admission price, and besides, the story is really about the regeneration of former convict Sam Webb (Bob Steele). At 53 minutes, Savage Frontier makes its points with speed and efficiency. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Allan Lane, Eddy Waller, (more)
- 1953
In this Republic western, Allan "Rocky" Lane plays a Texas Ranger endeavoring to bring progress to the prairies. A natural gas system is slated to be installed in the Lone Star State. Local ranchers oppose this, believing it will have injurious effect on cattle. This misinformation is being spread about scheming villains who hope to take charge of the gas system for their own greedy ends. Eddy Waller is on hand as Lane's sidekick Nugget Clark, while the heroine is former 20th Century-Fox star Cathy Downs. Veteran western scrivener Gerald Geraghty manages to bring a whiff of freshness to the collection of cliches that comprise Bandits of the West. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Allan Lane, Eddy Waller, (more)
- 1953
El Paso Stampede was the last of Republic Pictures' 38 Allan "Rocky" Lane westerns. Happily, the
series maintained a fairly high batting average right to the end. This time, the action takes place in 1898, during the Spanish-American war. Someone has been stealing cattle that was intended for the U.S. troops in Cuba. Government agent Lane heads westward to find out who's the brains behind the rustlers. El Paso Stampede delivers the goods in the action department, and then some. After the cessation of his 6-year western series, Allan "Rocky" Lane had some trouble lining up acting work; by 1961, however, he was gainfully employed as the voice of TV's Mr. Ed. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
series maintained a fairly high batting average right to the end. This time, the action takes place in 1898, during the Spanish-American war. Someone has been stealing cattle that was intended for the U.S. troops in Cuba. Government agent Lane heads westward to find out who's the brains behind the rustlers. El Paso Stampede delivers the goods in the action department, and then some. After the cessation of his 6-year western series, Allan "Rocky" Lane had some trouble lining up acting work; by 1961, however, he was gainfully employed as the voice of TV's Mr. Ed. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Allan Lane, Eddy Waller, (more)
- 1952
In this western, a US marshal tries to stop a nefarious gang of thieves from harassing the local sheriff and from stealing shipments of gold ore by putting their leader into the jail. The ringleader turns out to be a female newspaper publisher who has been creating all the problems to make sure her brother will be elected sheriff. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Allan Lane, Eddy Waller, (more)
- 1952
In this western, a U.S. marshal rides into Leadville to get a prisoner and ends up staying to help a needy friend who is in trouble with the outlaws attempting to oust him from his ranch. To stop them, the lawman poses as a bandit. He then discovers that the town banker is behind it all as he has learned that there is oil underneath the rancher's land. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Allan Lane, Elaine Riley, (more)
- 1952
At the time of its release, Republic's Desperadoes Outpost was regarded as one of the studio's better Allan "Rocky" Lane westerns. As was customary, Lane is cast as a federal operative, sent westward to offer aid and comfort to his old pal Nugget Clark (Eddy Waller). This time, Clark runs a stagecoach service that has been targetted for destruction by a pair of clever crooks (Lyle Talbot, Roy Barcroft). The villains hope to force Nugget off his land so they can lay claim to his valuable water supply. But they haven't got a chance with Rocky and his faithful steed Black Jack around and about. Myron Healey, normally cast as a sneering heavy, plays a relatively benign role as an Army lieutenant. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Allan Lane, Lyle Talbot, (more)
- 1952
Billy the Kid doesn't really appear in Captive of Billy the Kid, but his memory lingers throughout this Republic "B"-western. According to screenwriters M. Coates Webster and Richard Wormser, Billy salted away a fortune in stolen gold somewhere in the hills. Before he died, he tore his treasure map into five pieces, giving one piece each to his most trusted friends--one of whom, Van Stanley (Grant Withers) eventually decides to grab all the loot for himself. When the other map-holders begin dropping like flies, Allan "Rocky" Lane is brought into the picture to tie up loose ends and thwart the villain--who, surprise or surprises, isn't the highly suspicious Van Stanley! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Allan Lane, Penny Edwards, (more)
- 1952
Allan "Rocky" Lane and his trusty stallion Black Jack star in Republic's Black Hills Ambush. Lane plays a U.S. marshal who answers a call for help from his old pal Nugget Clark (Eddy Waller). It seems that someone is staging ruinous raids on Nugget's newly established freight line. Realizing that gang leader Bart (Roy Barcroft) is a lost cause, Lane tries to reform gang member Larry Stewart (Michael Hall), thereby forcing the crooks' evil scheme to collapse under its own weight. The highly forgettable leading lady is played by Leslye Banning. Allan "Rocky" Lane continued turning out low-budget westerns for a full decade after Black Hills Ambush was released in 1952 but is probably best-known as the voice of TV-equine Mr. Ed ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Allan Lane, Leslye Banning, (more)
- 1951
Allan "Rocky" Lane takes on a crooked landowner in Republic's Rough Riders of Durango. The villain intends to drive several ranchers into bankruptcy so he can snatch up their property at dirt-cheap prices. The ranchers fight back by scraping up $40,000 to clear all their debts. When the money is stolen, Lane is called in to retrieve the cash and collar the crooks. As was customary in the Allan "Rocky" Lane vehicles, Lane's horse Black Jack is afforded second billing in Rough Riders of Durango, while nominal leading lady Aline Towne is billed fourth. Even farther down the cast list is future Dukes of Hazzard co-star Denver Pyle. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Allan Lane, Walter S. Baldwin, (more)
- 1951
Allan "Rocky" Lane plays the title role in the Republic oater Wells Fargo Gunmaster. Lane is sent westward by his employers to stem a series of stagecoach holdups. To bring the crooks out into the open, Lane pretends to turn bandit himself. One by one, the minor crooks are bumped off as they try to fence their ill-gotten gains. By process of elimination, Lane is able to expose the mysterious mastermind behind the robberies. Featured in the cast of Wells Fargo Gunmaster are moppet performers Mary Ellen Kay and Michael Chapin, who'd soon be spun off into their own western series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Allan Lane, Chubby Johnson, (more)
