Posted on 01/25/2005 6:16:31 PM PST by Borges
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Most moviegoers and TV viewers wouldn't know his name. But they've seen him often enough. During a 60-year career, Charles Lane appeared in about 800 feature films and TV shows.
He brought to the screen a formidable presence with his long, dour, bespectacled face and leathery, slightly nasal voice. He was routinely cast as a judge, lawyer, capitalist or some other authority figure.
He could be mean, even sadistic, though often with a soft spot in his heart. And although he turns 100 on Wednesday, the voice still commands attention.
Lane received a pre-birthday visitor at his Brentwood home, which he and his late wife, Ruth, bought for $46,000 in 1964 and is now worth more than $1 million.
He had been a horse jumper and an expert golfer, and there's a wall full of trophies to prove it. He seemed dressed for another 18 holes: jaunty cap, cardigan sweater, checkered shirt, chinos.
He claimed a faulty memory, yet he could recount plenty of anecdotes about his days working with leading stars and directors. "Look at this," he said, producing a nearly completed crossword puzzle. "I do this every day. My doctor says it's good for my memory."
Getting typed as the irascible voice of authority, he declared firmly, "was a pain in the ... You did something that was pretty good, and the picture was pretty good. That pedigreed you into that type of part, which I thought was stupid, and unfair, too. It didn't give me a chance, but it made the casting easier for the studio."
Born and raised in San Francisco, Lane started out in the insurance business while also dabbling in local theater. A well-known actor of the time persuaded him to train at the storied Pasadena Playhouse, which in those days was a source of new talent for the burgeoning film industry down the road.
So before long, Lane was in the movies, playing opposite the likes of Edward G. Robinson and James Cagney in 1931's "Smart Money."
Studio work for supporting players was tough in those pre-union years. Lane could act in four different movies in one day, delivering two lines and moving on to the next set. "And I was being paid $35 a day," he muttered. "When the Screen Actors Guild was being organized, I was one of the first to join."
With 1934's "Broadway Bill," Lane began an association with Frank Capra that lasted through nine movies, including such classics as "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" (Lane played a nosy newsman) and "It's a Wonderful Life" (as the rent collector).
He considered Capra "the outstanding motion picture maker of my time," and Capra's feelings toward him are evidenced in a framed letter in Lane's bedroom. "Well, Charlie," Capra wrote, "you've been my No. 1 crutch."
Lane also had a long friendship with Lucille Ball, with whom he appeared on "I Love Lucy" and her later shows.
"She was a chorus girl at RKO, and I did a number of musicals there," he recalled. "We got to be friends, and I had lunch with her every day."
Lane had great respect for her professionalism on the "Lucy" shows, and for husband, Desi Arnaz, as well. His eyes lit up as he recalled the famed episode in which Lucy gave birth to Little Ricky, and Arnaz and Lane performed a sequence in the waiting room. "This old guy who is expecting his 10th child or something, and this nervous young man who's expecting his first. It was a marvelous scene, and Desi was a fine actor."
The show appeared Jan. 19, 1953, and it drew the biggest TV audience up to that time, with Ball giving birth to her real son, Desiderio IV, that evening.
Lane went on to appear in many other sitcoms, notably as railroad magnate Homer Bedloe in "Petticoat Junction."
All interviews with centenarians must include the obligatory question: "Why have you lived so long?"
"I have no idea," he replied.
His son, Tom Lane, noted his father smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for 70 years.
"One day about 15 years ago, he was short of breath, and we took him to (the hospital)," Tom explained. "After he was examined, a doctor asked him if he had stopped smoking. Dad answered 'yes.' When? `About 45 minutes ago.' And he hasn't smoked since."
He was in:
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)
"The Winds of War" (1983)
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936)
Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933)
You Can't Take It with You (1938)
Twentieth Century (1934)
"War and Remembrance" (1988)
Ball of Fire (1941)
The Music Man (1962)
42nd Street (1933)
The Ultimate Actor! Happy 100, Glad your still with us!
When is your next movie??
I know that face ... happy 100th, sir!
God bless you, Charlie!
..and who can forget "the Ghost and Mr. Chicken"?
Happy 100th Mr. Lane, thanks for your work.
Oh, that guy...well done sir!
Didn't know who he was until this line.
Happy birthday Mr. Lane.
FMCDH(BITS)
He was one of the great putdowners in the movies and on TV. With impeccable timing and an expressive unique voice, and if given the right material, his responses were awesomely funny.
For him "It's A wonderful Life" was more than a film he acted in. Married for more than 70 years. God bless you, Sir.
Happy birthday to Mr. Lane ! One of the few actors who consistently rises above the material given to him.
I figured he died sometime around 1971!
Happy birthday!
I guess he and Richard Jaeckel must have vied for "the most." Seriously, true professionalism is a treat, and this guy was believable.
Great post about a memorable actor...thanks for posting!
About 25,000 packs of cigs. Somebody should seriously bottle this man's DNA.
Wow!I didn't know he was still around. Happy Birthday Mr.Lane!
Back then!!
That seems like a good salary back in the '30's.
Thanks for posting this. Everyone must certainly recognize Charles Lane from all of his roles on TV and in the movies. It's great to know that he is still with us.
He was in a gazillion episodes of BEWITCHED...
It's one of Mrs. Tell's favorites.
Of course, I recognize you! Happy Birthday! You are a wonderful actor!
Greatest character actor ever. What a wonderful life he's led, indeed.
I think my dad told me that a loaf of bread was a nickle!
I love him! Happy Birthday!!!
Speaking of Actors Who Were Everywhere, is William Schallert still alive?
Happy birthday Mr. Lane. You have enriched my life over the last 50 years with your acting.
Yes he is! Will turn 83 this year. Heck Eddie 'Green Acres' Albert will be 97 in April.
Speaking of 83, Marty Allen is still alive?
Yep. The Circus of the Stars perrenial is indeed alive.
Always liked Charles Lane, and the late great Bert Mustin, two of the best character actors around.
In 1940, Walter Lane was in 22 different movies. Those were different times in the business.
Nice post. But, I really don't remember the guy. Anymoe pictures anyone?
"One day about 15 years ago, he was short of breath, and we took him to (the hospital)," Tom explained. "After he was examined, a doctor asked him if he had stopped smoking. Dad answered 'yes.' When? `About 45 minutes ago.' And he hasn't smoked since."
LOL! Nice one.
Happy Birthday Charles Lane. Hope you have many more.
I love this guy's work. He had a voice that went with that face.
You inspire me Mr. Lane. I'm half your age, but nowhere close to half you accomplishments.
All the best
Just thought I would mention that apparently since Mr. Lane's Brentwood address is listed in the local directory, people, some of which I know of, took the time to call and stop by with flowers. He spoke to all of them and was very gracious. That's awesome.
Happy Birthday, Mr. Lane. I was very happy to hear that you are still with us. You have been my favorite character actor...forever. You may have felt stifled by typecasting, but you brought a lot of laughs to a lot of people. You always rose to the material, and never failed to deliver. I have seen everyfilm in your filmography, and most of the TV shows. Without exageration I can say that you never gave a bad performance.
Mr. Charles Lane is one of a long list of charactor actors that will be long remembered. I was thrilled to discover that he is still with us. He's truly one of the great "specialty" actors who have helped elevate the quality of many movies and TV shows. I especially remember him on "I Love Lucy" as the father of star-struck daughters, Tintsy and Wintsy when Lucy, Ricky and the Mertz's were stranded in a small town. Lane played the sheriff who threw Lucy in jail.
Charles Lane's face and familiar voice will grace screens forever more. Keep livin' Mr. Lane!
I am only 39 years old, and I have seen very few of the performances of Mr. Lane. What I do know is that he has had more bit parts than any actor in the business. I know he was in many different Disney movies, and if memory serves me right he was in at least one of the Herbie the Lovebug movies.
Thanks for the photo, I remember the face but the name did not ring a bell.
Previous message should have been for all.
When I saw Murphy's Romance around 1986 (starring Sally Field & James Garner), Charles Lane walked on the screen playing - what else? - a crabby old man. The audience went crazy, laughing and applauding at someone they thought had died in...1971!
Happy Birthday Charles Lane!
BTW there's a MASH thread somewhere here today, turns out Harry Morgan, 90, is still around as well.
He will turn 90 in April.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0485272/
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