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May 9, 2008

Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski: Reverence, Yes; Worship, No

Mona Charen: Did Israel Drive Out the Arabs 60 Years Ago?

JWisdom: Ultimate opportunities by Rabbi Sroy Levitansky

May 8, 2008

Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo: Israel at 3,500+

Jonathan Tobin: Still Fighting the Same War

Steven Plaut: How ‘nakba’ proves the fiction of a Palestinian Nation

JWisdom: Taking Israel for Granted? by Rabbi Mordechai Becher

May 7, 2008

Rabbi Hillel Goldberg: Israel is irrelevant to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Dion Nissenbaum: Latest Olmert scandal could derail efforts to force Israel's compromises

JWisdom: My Inner Ventriloquist by Sara Yoheved Rigler

May 6, 2008

Caroline B. Glick: Anti-Zionism at 60

The Kosher Gourmet By Ethel G. Hofman: In honor of Israel's 60th anniversary, the former president of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, whose members included the likes of Julia Child, is back with a smorgasbord featuring the taste and essence of the Jewish homeland

JWisdom: Holocaust in the Perspective of Faith by Rabbi Nosson Scherman: Jewish Deer in Nazi Headlights

May 5, 2008

The Jewish Ethicist by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir: Busy work

Jonathan Mark: Remarkable half-century old Mike Wallace interview with Abba Eban puts current anti-Israel sentiment into perspective

May 2, 2008

Rabbi Berel Wein: Rote religiosity

Caroline B. Glick: Whitewashing Hamas

JWisdom: Parent trap?

May 1, 2008

David Zwiebel: Faith communities can learn from Orthodox Jews in stimulating private philanthropy for religious education

George Friedman and Peter Zeihan of Stratfor: The Shift Toward an Israeli-Syrian Agreement

JWisdom: It's time to wake up by Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis

April 30, 2008

Jonathan Tobin: Pennsylvania's Democratic slugfest may leave some Jewish votes up for grabs

The Kosher Gourmet by Linda Gassenheimer: Fresh herbs, sauteed veal and tiny creamer potatoes makes a light spring dinner

JWisdom: How to Build a Mentch by Rabbi Mordechai Becher

April 29, 2008

Daniel Pipes: Barack Obama's Muslim Childhood

Joel Brinkley: On human rights, the U.N. once again strikes out

JWisdom: Holocaust in the Perspective of Faith by Rabbi Nosson Scherman: When The Truth is Unbelievable

April 28, 2008

The Jewish Ethicist by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir: Q: I'm often stuck in the doctor's waiting room for hours! Doesn't he owe me something for my wasted time?

Steven Emerson: New U.S. government policy advises agencies to avoid using some of the very same words that make up terror groups' names

JWisdom: Why You & I Never Die: A Jewish View of Immortality, Part I by Rabbi David Aaron

April 25, 2008

Rabbi Mitchell Wohlberg: Schadenfreude isn't kosher for Passover --- or at any other time

Rabbi Berel Wein: The secret of how the data bank of memory is transferred from one generation to the next

JWisdom: Stepping Up to A Higher Spiritual Life by Rabbi Lawrence Kelemen, Part III

April 24, 2008

Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo: The successful failure

Fred Burton and Scott Stewart of Stratfor: Placing the terrorist threat to the food supply in perspective

JWisdom: Stepping Up to A Higher Spiritual Life by Rabbi Lawrence Kelemen, Part II

April 23, 2008

Connie Ogle: An intricate game of a novel

Jonathan Tobin: Making Sense of the 'J Street' Jive

JWisdom: Stepping Up to A Higher Spiritual Life by Rabbi Lawrence Kelemen

April 22, 2008

Jonathan Rosenblum: Why Israel's 'Leaven law' matters

Caroline B. Glick: Obama the Savior

April 18, 2008

Rabbi Harvey Belovski: Multimedia tool of antiquity

Caroline B. Glick: Revealed Truths vs. revealed lies

JWisdom: More than miracles by Rabbi Sroy Levitansky

April 17, 2008

Rabbi Avi Shafran: Deconstructing Dayeinu

Rabbi Elazar Meisels: Is innovation at the Seder a slap at tradition?

JWisdom: Discovering Your Divine Mission, Part III by Rabbi David Aaron

April 16, 2008

Jonathan Tobin: A Prayer for Sderot's Children

Ethel G. Hofman: Sumptuous Seder

JWisdom: The Divine is in the details by Rabbi Mordechai Becher

April 15, 2008

Rabbi Dovid Zauderer: Let Charlton Heston Go!

Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Jimma, tyranny's enabler

JWisdom: Relationships: Beyond Mars & Venus, Part IV by Dr. Lisa Aiken

April 14, 2008

The Jewish Ethicist by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir: The Snitching Supervisor

Jonathan Tobin: Forget the Fun and Games!

JWisdom: Sincerity is Valued Most by Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski, M.D.

April 11, 2008

Rabbi David Gutterman: A Mystery in the Middle East

Caroline B. Glick: Why Ahmadinejad smiles

JWisdom: Elevated illness by Rabbi Sroy Levitansky

April 10, 2008

Stratfor Intelligence Briefing by George Friedman: A Mystery in the Middle East

The Kosher Gourmet By Steve Petusevsky: The spring elegance of asparagus

JWisdom: Holocaust in the Perspective of Faith by Rabbi Nosson Scherman: The Power of Rational Lies

April 9, 2008

Michael Feldberg: An all but forgotten Colonial doctor who put his Jewish values before his life

Jordan "Gorf" Gorfinkel's "Everything's Relative" gets philosophical

JWisdom: Four Rabbis in Bnei Brak by Rabbi Mordechai Becher

April 8, 2008

Caroline Glick: Covering for the enemy

Elliot B. Gertel: 'House' goes Hasidic

JWisdom: Relationships: Beyond Mars & Venus, Part III by Dr. Lisa Aiken

April 7, 2008

The Jewish Ethicist by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir: Q: I have a translating business. Recently someone asked me to translate some financial documents that are clearly forged. Should I agree?

Jonathan Rosenblum : Israel is unwittingly helping to fuel the international campaign of delegitimization against it

JWisdom: Matzah and leaven as a life philosophy by Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski, M.D.

April 4, 2008

Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski: The Mystery of Suffering

Caroline B. Glick: Fear of democracy

JWisdom: Dirty Jews by Rabbi Sroy Levitansky

April 3, 2008

Rabbi Y. Y. Rubinstein: Parents --- and the children who would be them

The Kosher Gourmet by Kathy Manweiler: Tempted by restaurant dressings? Don't be. Here are recipes that can be made at home, healthier!

JWisdom: The importance of retaining a 'slave mentality' by Rabbi Mordechai Becher

April 2, 2008

Mitch Albom: Child abuse, disguised as faith

Jonathan Tobin: Unreasonable Accommodations

JWisdom: Holocaust in the Perspective of Faith with Rabbi Nosson Scherman: Eliminating Jewish Influence over Germans

March 22, 2007

J-Rhythms with Avraham Rosenblum: JWR's cutting-edge music program showcasing performers -- singers, song writers, musicians, and bands -- who learn and live the Torah lifestyle (OUR NEWEST IGODCAST !)

Oct. 29, 2003
Mortimer B. Zuckerman: Graffiti On History's Walls (MUST-READ!)

Jewish World Review Oct. 3, 2007 / 21 Tishrei 5768

What a Character! What a Life!

By Greg Crosby


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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com | As trite and hackneyed as this might sound, when actor Charles Lane died on July 9th at the age of 102 it was most definitely the end of an era. If you go by most of the characters he played in hundreds of movies (he appeared in 161 films just in the 30's alone!) you might say "He's a man too mean too die." For over 70 years Charles Lane made a career (and a really nice living) out of those mean nasty characters he played in movies an on TV. Abrasive reporters, government taxmen, smirky accountants, insurance investigators, probing auditors, irritated judges, annoyed clerks, snippy shopkeepers - you name it and Charles Lane played them all, and usually better than anyone else.


A good character actor can make an enormous difference in a film; sometimes a secondary actor can save what would otherwise be a dull, tedious scene and turn it into one of those memorable moments in a picture. Charles Lane had many such moments in many pictures.


A list of acting credits is about the most important thing that any actor can have on his resume. Try this list of credits on for size that Charles Lane had accumulated in his career (courtesy of the Internet Movie Database): The Night Before Christmas (2006) .... Narrator, The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1995) (TV) .... Regent Yarborough, Acting on Impulse (1993) (TV) .... Bellhop... ,"Dark Shadows" .... Antique Dealer (1 episode, 1991), - Episode #1.6 (1991) TV Episode .... Antique Dealer, "L.A. Law" .... Walter (1 episode, 1989), Leave It to Geezer (1989) TV Episode .... Walter , "War and Remembrance" (1988) (mini) TV Series .... Adm. William Standley ,"St. Elsewhere" (1 episode, 1987), Weigh In, Way Out (1987) TV Episode , Date with an Angel (1987) .... Father O'Shea , "Hunter" .... Motel Owner (1 episode, 1987), The Girl Next Door (1987) TV Episode .... Motel Owner , Vanishing America (1986) (V) .... Shopkeeper, When the Bough Breaks (1986) (TV) .... Van der Graaf , Murphy's Romance (1985) .... Amos Abbott , "Comedy Factory" .... George McCloskey (1 episode, 1985), Side by Side (1985) TV Episode .... George McCloskey , "Otherworld" .... Mr. Velcrows Widley (1 episode, 1985), Village of the Motorpigs (1985) TV Episode .... Mr. Velcrows Widley , Sunset Limousine (1983) (TV) .... Reinhammer, Strange Invaders (1983) .... Prof. Hollister , "The Winds of War" (1983) (mini) TV Series .... Adm. William Standley , "Little House on the Prairie" .... Jess Moffet (1 episode, 1982) , Welcome to Olesonville (1982) TV Episode .... Jess Moffet , Strange Behavior (1981) .... Donovan, The Return of the Beverly Hillbillies (1981) (TV) .... Chief , "Lou Grant" .... Mort Farber / ... (2 episodes, 1979-1981), Generations (1981) TV Episode .... Rupert Hume, Gambling (1979) TV Episode .... Mort Farber , The Little Dragons (1980) .... J.J., "Mork & Mindy" .... Judge Baker (1 episode, 1980), Little Orphan Morkie (1980) TV Episode .... Judge Baker, Movie Movie (1978) .... Judge/Mr. Pennington , "ABC Weekend Specials" .... Walter Becker (1 episode, 1978), The $1000 Bill (1978) TV Episode .... Walter Becker , "Soap" .... Judge Anthony Petrillo (7 episodes, 1978), "Maude" .... Doc Prichard (1 episode, 1977), Arthur's Crisis (1977) TV Episode .... Doc Prichard, "Chico and the Man" .... Mr. Chipps (1 episode, 1976), Old Is Gold (1976) TV Episode .... Mr. Chipps , Sybil (1976) (TV) .... Dr. Quinoness , "Family" .... James Lawrence (1 episode, 1976), Thursday's Child (1976) TV Episode .... James Lawrence, "One Day at a Time" .... Herbert (1 episode, 1976), Julie's Job (1976) TV Episode .... Herbert, "The Family Holvak" .... Deacon Hurd (1 episode, 1975), Love Nest (1975) (TV) .... Ned, "Karen" (1975) TV Series .... Dale Busch (II - 1975) (unknown episodes) , "Rhoda" .... Mr. Fosner (1 episode, 1974), The Honeymoon (1974) TV Episode .... Mr. Fosner , "The Rookies" .... Dealer (1 episode, 1973), Another Beginning for Ben Fuller (1973) TV Episode .... Dealer , "Adam's Rib" .... Mayor (1 episode, 1973)- Katey at the Bat (1973) TV Episode .... Mayor, "The Odd Couple" .... Sid (1 episode, 1973) "The Sandy Duncan Show" .... Judge (1 episode, 1972), "Temperatures Rising" .... Briggs (1 episode, 1972), Get to Know Your Rabbit (1972) .... Mr. Beeman, The Great Man's Whiskers (1972) (TV) .... Philbrick , "Bewitched" .... Ed Hotchkiss / ... (8 episodes, 1965-1972) - School Days, School Daze (1972) TV Episode .... Mr. Roland - The Warlock in the Gray Flannel Suit (1971) TV Episode .... Mr. Cushman - Laugh, Clown, Laugh (1971) TV Episode .... Mr. Jameson - Samantha's Magic Potion (1970) TV Episode .... Mr. Harmon - Make Love Not Hate (1970) TV Episode .... Mr. Meikeljohn (3 more) , "Nanny and the Professor" .... Driving Inspector / ... (2 episodes, 1970-1971), Hitched (1971) (TV) .... Round Tree, "The Beverly Hillbillies" .... Foster Phinney / ... (7 episodes, 1963-1971) , The AristoCats (1970) (voice) .... Georges Hautecourt, Madame's Lawyer , "The Debbie Reynolds Show" .... Samson (1 episode, 1970) - Hurray for Our Side , "Disneyland" - My Dog, the Thief: Part 2 (1969) TV Episode .... Mr. Pfeiffer, - My Dog, the Thief: Part 1 (1969) TV Episode .... Mr. Pfeiffer , "The Flying Nun" .... Mr. O' Reilly (1 episode, 1969), "Petticoat Junction" .... Homer Bedloe / ... (23 episodes, 1963-1968), "Green Acres" .... Mister Wilson (1 episode, 1968), Did You Hear the One About the Traveling Saleslady? (1968) .... Mr. Duckworth What's So Bad About Feeling Good? (1968) .... Dr. Shapiro, "Judd for the Defense" .... Baliff (1 episode, 1968), "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." .... Charlie / ... (2 episodes, 1964-1967), "The Wild Wild West" .... Roger Creed (1 episode, 1967), "He & She" .... Immigrations Officer (1 episode, 1967), The Gnome-Mobile (1967) .... Dr. Scoggins, Eight on the Lam (1967) (uncredited) .... Bank Examiner, "Love on a Rooftop" (2 episodes, 1966-1967), "Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre" .... Charles Eckhardt (1 episode, 1966), "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." .... Mr. Harrison (1 episode, 1966), "F Troop" .... Mr. S. A. MacGuire (1 episode, 1966) , "The Pruitts of Southampton" (1966) TV Series .... Maxwell (unknown episodes), The Ugly Dachshund (1966) .... Judge , "The Munsters" .... Holmes (1 episode, 1966), The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966) .... Whitlow , "Honey West" .... Mr. Ash (1 episode, 1966), "Please Don't Eat the Daisies" .... Dynamite Man (1 episode, 1966), "Get Smart" .... Uncle Abner (1 episode, 1965), "The Farmer's Daughter" (1 episode, 1965), "The Smothers Brothers Show" .... Wiggins (1 episode, 1965), Billie (1965) .... Coach Jones, John Goldfarb, Please Come Home (1965) .... 'Strife' Magazine editor, "The Bing Crosby Show" (1 episode, 1964), Looking for Love (1964) .... Screen Test Director, Good Neighbor Sam (1964) .... Jack Bailey The New Interns (1964) .... Connors, The Carpetbaggers (1964) .... Denby, "Temple Houston" .... Amos Riggs (2 episodes, 1964) "The Andy Griffith Show" .... Mr. Frisby (1 episode, 1964), "Make Room for Daddy" .... Mr. Baker (1 episode, 1963) The Wheeler Dealers (1963) (uncredited) .... Judge, It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963) .... Airport manager "Burke's Law" .... Dr. Lusk (1 episode, 1963), Papa's Delicate Condition (1963) .... Mr. Cosgrove, "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" .... Caleb (1 episode, 1963), "77 Sunset Strip" .... Henry Distal (1 episode, 1963), "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis" .... Wayzack / ... (4 episodes, 1961-1963, "The Lucy Show" .... Mr. Barnsdahl (4 episodes, 1962), "McKeever & the Colonel" .... Mayor (1 episode, 1962), "Dennis the Menace" .... Mr. Finch / ... (6 episodes, 1960-1962), "Mister Ed" .... Charles Foster (1 episode, 1962) "The Comedy Spot" .... Mr. Martin (1 episode, 1962), Ernestine (1962) (TV), The Music Man (1962) .... Constable Locke "Lawman" .... Morris Weeks (1 episode, 1962), "Maverick" .... Proprietor (1 episode, 1962), "Surfside 6" .... Cyrus Radford, "The Bob Cummings Show" (1 episode, 1961), "The Tab Hunter Show" .... Dr. Spike (1 episode, 1961), "Guestward Ho!" .... Mr. Langdon "The DuPont Show with June Allyson" .... Dr. Shelley (1 episode, 1961), "The Twilight Zone" .... Mr. Peckinpaugh (1 episode, 1960) "Bachelor Father" (1 episode, 1960), "Goodyear Theatre" .... Adam (1 episode, 1959), But Not for Me (1959) .... Atwood, The 30 Foot Bride of Candy Rock (1959) .... Standard Bates, The Mating Game (1959) .... Bigelow, "The Gale Storm Show" .... Pierce (2 episodes, 1957-1959), "The Ann Sothern Show" .... Cameron (1 episode, 1959), "The Millionaire" .... Whipple (1 episode, 1958) "The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour" .... Claims Clerk / ... (2 episodes, 1958), "Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse" .... Customs Officer (1 episode, 1958), "Richard Diamond, Private Detective" .... Kevin Anders (1 episode, 1958), "Perry Mason" .... Dr. Williams (1 episode, 1958), Teacher's Pet (1958) .... Roy, "The Gray Ghost" .... Hall (1 episode, 1958), "The Thin Man" .... Harry (1 episode, 1957), "The Real McCoys" .... Harry Poulson (1 episode, 1957), God Is My Partner (1957) .... Judge Warner, "On Trial" .... Grayson (1 episode, 1957), Top Secret Affair (1957) .... Bill Hadley, "The People's Choice" (1 episode, 1957), "Whirlybirds" .... Larkin (1 episode), The Birds and the Bees (1956) .... Jenkins, "Star Stage" (1 episode, 1956, "I Love Lucy" .... Casting Director / ... (4 episodes, 1953-1956), "Screen Directors Playhouse" .... Garrity (1 episode, 1955), "Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre" .... Henry (1 episode, 1955), "Dear Phoebe" .... Mr. Fosdick (13 episodes, 1954-1955), "Willy" .... Willy's Boss (1 episode, 1954), "Topper" .... Mr. Kittler (1 episode, 1954), The Affairs of Dobie Gillis (1953) .... Chemistry Professor Obispo, Remains to Be Seen (1953) .... Delapp (examiner), The Juggler (1953) .... Rosenberg, Three for Bedroom C (1952) (uncredited) .... Trainman, The Sniper (1952) (uncredited) .... Drunk in Bar, Here Comes the Groom (1951) (uncredited) .... FBI agent Ralph Burchard, Criminal Lawyer (1951) .... Frederick Waterman, I Can Get It for You Wholesale (1951) (uncredited) .... Herman Pulvermacher, For Heaven's Sake (1950) (uncredited) .... Arthur Crane (IRS), The Du Pont Story (1950), The Second Face (1950) .... Mr. West, Insurance Claims Adjustor, Love That Brute (1950) (uncredited) .... Joe, Cigar Store Owner, Riding High (1950) .... Erickson, The Yellow Cab Man (1950) (uncredited) .... L.A. Casualty Co. executive, Borderline (1950) (uncredited) .... Peterson, U.S. Customs, Backfire (1950) (uncredited) .... Dr. Nolan, Miss Grant Takes Richmond (1949) (uncredited) .... Mr. Woodruff, The House Across the Street (1949) (uncredited) .... Apartment Manager, Mighty Joe Young (1949) (uncredited) .... Guy at the bar, You're My Everything (1949) (uncredited) .... Mr. Eddie Pflum, Mother Is a Freshman (1949) (uncredited) .... Mr. De Haven, Apartment for Peggy (1948) (uncredited) .... Prof. Collins, Moonrise (1948) .... Man in black, Out of the Storm (1948) .... Mr. Evans, The Gentleman from Nowhere (1948) (uncredited) .... Fenmore, Race Street (1948) (uncredited) .... Switchboard Operator-Clerk, State of the Union (1948) .... Blink Moran, Smart Woman (1948) (uncredited) .... Reporter, Call Northside 777 (1948) (uncredited) .... Prosecuting Attorney, Intrigue (1947) .... Hotel Desk Clerk, Roses Are Red (1947) .... Lipton, Louisiana (1947) .... McCormack, Bury Me Dead (1947) (uncredited) .... Mr. Brighton, Living in a Big Way (1947) (uncredited) .... Hawkins, It Happened on 5th Avenue (1947) (uncredited) .... Landlord, The Farmer's Daughter (1947) .... Thin-faced Campaign Reporter, The Show-Off (1946) (uncredited) .... Quiz master, It's a Wonderful Life (1946) (as Charlie Lane) .... Rent collector, Swell Guy (1946) .... Ben Tilwell, The Invisible Informer (1946) .... Nick Steele, Mysterious Intruder (1946) .... Detective Burns, Just Before Dawn (1946) .... Dr. Steiner , A Close Call for Boston Blackie (1946) .... Hack Hagen, Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) .... Reporter at Marriage License Office, Mission to Moscow (1943) (uncredited) .... Man in Kitchenin Montage, Flying Tigers (1942) (uncredited) .... Repkin, Pardon My Sarong (1942) (uncredited) .... Bus company superintendent, Friendly Enemies (1942) .... Braun, Lady in a Jam (1942) (uncredited) .... US Govt. Man (seeks silver reserve), Thru Different Eyes (1942) .... Mott, Are Husbands Necessary? (1942) .... Mr. Brooks, They All Kissed the Bride (1942) (uncredited) .... Spotter, Tarzan's New York Adventure (1942) .... Gould Beaton, Sargent's Lawyer, The Mad Martindales (1942) .... Virgil Hickling, Broadway (1942) (uncredited) .... Hungry Harry, Home in Wyomin' (1942) .... Newspaper Editor, The Great Man's Lady (1942) (uncredited) .... Pierce, About Face (1942) .... Rental Car Manager, Yokel Boy (1942) (uncredited) .... Cynic, The Adventures of Martin Eden (1942) (uncredited) .... Mr. White, Publisher, What's Cookin'? (1942/I) .... K. D. Reynolds, Born to Sing (1942) (uncredited) .... Johnny, Press Agent, The Lady Is Willing (1942) .... K.K. Miller, Ride 'Em Cowboy (1942) (uncredited) .... Martin Manning, Obliging Young Lady (1942) .... Private detective Smith, A Close Call for Ellery Queen (1942) .... Coroner, A Gentleman at Heart (1942) .... Holloway, Ball of Fire (1941) .... Larsen (Miss Totten's assistant), Look Who's Laughing (1941) (uncredited) .... Club Secretary, I Wake Up Screaming (1941) .... Keating, Florist, Appointment for Love (1941) (uncredited) .... Smith, Birth of the Blues (1941) (uncredited) .... Wilbur, Theater Manager, New York Town (1941) (uncredited) .... Census Taker, Three Girls About Town (1941) (uncredited) .... Mortician, Buy Me That Town (1941) .... J. Montague Gainsborough, Sing Another Chorus (1941) .... Ryan, Ellery Queen and the Perfect Crime (1941) .... Dr. Prouty (coroner), Sealed Lips (1941) .... Attorney Emanuel 'Manny' T. Dixon, The Big Store (1941) (uncredited) .... Finance Company Man, Blondie in Society (1941) (uncredited) .... Washing Machine Salesman, Sis Hopkins (1941) .... Rollo, Barnacle Bill (1941) (uncredited) .... Auctioneer, Repent at Leisure (1941) .... Clarence Morgan, Ellery Queen's Penthouse Mystery (1941) .... Doc Prouty, Footlight Fever (1941) .... Link, Broadway Investments insurance agent, You're the One (1941) .... Announcer, Back Street (1941) (uncredited) .... Blake, The Invisible Woman (1940) .... Mr. Growley, The Texas Rangers Ride Again (1940) (uncredited) .... Train Passenger, Ellery Queen, Master Detective (1940) .... Dr. Prouty, Dancing on a Dime (1940) .... Freeman Taylor, Blondie Plays Cupid (1940) (uncredited) .... Train Conductor, A Little Bit of Heaven (1940) (uncredited) .... Stafford, City for Conquest (1940) (uncredited) .... Al (dance team manager), The Leather Pushers (1940) .... Henry Mitchell aka Mitch, The Great Profile (1940) .... Director, Rhythm on the River (1940) .... Bernard Schwartz, We Who Are Young (1940) .... Perkins, Golden Hope Credit Manager, Queen of the Mob (1940) (uncredited) .... Horace Grimley, The Doctor Takes a Wife (1940) (uncredited) .... Reporter, I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Baby (1940) (uncredited) .... Gahan, You Can't Fool Your Wife (1940) (scenes deleted) .... Salesman, On Their Own (1940) (uncredited) .... Johnson, The Crooked Road (1940) .... Phil Wesner, Defense Attorney, Edison, the Man (1940) (uncredited) .... Second Lecturer, Buck Benny Rides Again (1940) .... Charlie Graham, Primrose Path (1940) (uncredited) .... Mr. 'Smitty' Smith/Hawkins, It's a Date (1940) (uncredited) .... Mr. Horner, Johnny Apollo (1940) .... Assistant District Attorney, Parole Fixer (1940) (uncredited) .... Undetermined Role, Charlie McCarthy, Detective (1939) (uncredited) .... Charlie's Doctor, The Honeymoon's Over (1939) (uncredited) .... D.W. O'Connor, The Cat and the Canary (1939) (uncredited) .... Reporter, Beware Spooks! (1939) (uncredited) .... Mr. Moore, Credit Man, Television Spy (1939) .... Adler, insurance salesman, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) .... Nosey newsman, Thunder Afloat (1939) (scenes deleted) .... Capt. Sabin, Honeymoon in Bali (1939) (uncredited) .... Photographer for Morrissey's, Golden Boy (1939) (uncredited) .... Reporter Drake, 5th Ave Girl (1939) (uncredited) .... Union Representative, Miracles for Sale (1939) (uncredited) .... Fleetwood Apartments Desk Clerk, They All Come Out (1939) .... Psychiatrist, News Is Made at Night (1939) .... District Attorney Rufe Reynolds, Second Fiddle (1939) (voice) .... Studio Chief, Unexpected Father (1939) (uncredited) .... Department of Health Quarantine Man, Rose of Washington Square (1939) (uncredited) .... Sam Kress, Theatrical Agent, Lucky Night (1939) .... Mr. Carpenter, Paint Store Owner, Inside Story (1939) .... Dist rict Attorney, Let Us Live! (1939) (uncredited) .... Auto Salesman, Boy Slaves (1939) .... Albee, Kentucky (1938) .... Auctioneer, Thanks for Everything (1938) .... Dr. Olson, Blondie (1938) (uncredited) .... Furniture Salesman, Always in Trouble (1938) .... Donald Gower, Three Loves Has Nancy (1938) (uncredited) .... Cleaning Store Manager, You Can't Take It with You (1938) .... Wilbur G. Henderson, IRS Agent, Professor Beware (1938) (uncredited) .... Joe (photographer), The Rage of Paris (1938) (uncredited) .... Department Head, Cocoanut Grove (1938) (uncredited) .... Weaver, Joy of Living (1938) (uncredited) .... Fan in Margaret's Dressing Room, City Girl (1938) (uncredited) .... Dr. Abbott, Ali Baba Goes to Town (1937) .... Doctor, Partners in Crime (1937) (uncredited) .... Druggist, Danger-Love at Work (1937) .... Gilroy, Hot Water (1937) (uncredited) .... Grayson,Trapped by G-Men (1937) .... Fingers, Fit for a King (1937) (uncredited) .... Spears, Bad Guy (1937) (uncredited) .... Walden's Lawyer, One Mile from Heaven (1937) (uncredited) .... Webb, Born Reckless (1937) (uncredited) .... Barnes' Lawyer, Venus Makes Trouble (1937) .... District Attorney, Internes Can't Take Money (1937) .... Grote, Sea Devils (1937) (uncredited) .... Judge, We're on the Jury (1937) .... Mr. Horace Smith, Criminal Lawyer (1937) (uncredited) .... Nora's Attorney, In Old Chicago (1937) (scenes deleted) .... Booking Agent, Three Men on a Horse (1936) (uncredited) .... Cleaner, Come Closer, Folks (1936) (uncredited) .... Prosecutor, Easy to Take (1936) (as Charles Levinson) .... Reporter, Lady Luck (1936) .... Feinberg, Two-Fisted Gentleman (1936) .... Joe Gordon, 36 Hours to Kill (1936) .... Rickert, The Bride Walks Out (1936) (uncredited) .... Judge, The Crime of Dr. Forbes (1936) .... Defense Attorney, Ticket to Paradise (1936) (uncredited) .... Shyster, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936) (uncredited) .... Hallor, The Semple's Lawyer., It Had to Happen (1936) (uncredited) .... State Examiner, The Milky Way (1936) .... Willard, Two for Tonight (1935) .... Writer, Here Comes the Band (1935) .... Mr. Scurry, Woman Wanted (1935) (uncredited) .... Defense Attorney Herman, Ginger (1935) (uncredited) .... Judge, Princess O'Hara (1935) (uncredited) .... Morris Goldberg, One More Spring (1935) (uncredited) .... Representative, The Band Plays On (1934) (uncredited) .... Shyster lawyer, A Wicked Woman (1934) (uncredited) .... Defense Attorney Beardsley, Broadway Bill (1934) (uncredited) .... Henchman, I'll Fix It (1934) (as Charles Levinson) .... Al Nathan, Let's Talk It Over (1934) (uncredited) .... Reporter, Twentieth Century (1934) (as Charles Levison) .... Max Jacobs, Twenty Million Sweethearts (1934) (uncredited) .... Reporter, Looking for Trouble (1934) (as Charles Levinson) .... Switchboard Operator, The Show-Off (1934) (uncredited) .... Mr. Weitzenkorn, the Lawyer, Mr. Skitch (1933) (uncredited) .... Hotel Clerk, Advice to the Lovelorn (1933) .... Circulation Manager, Broadway Through a Keyhole (1933) (uncredited) .... Columnist #2, The Bowery (1933) (uncredited) .... Doctor, My Woman (1933) .... Bothersome Agent, She Had to Say Yes (1933) (uncredited) .... Mr. Bernstein, Private Detective 62 (1933) (uncredited) .... Process Server, Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933) (uncredited) .... Society reporter, Central Airport (1933) (uncredited) .... Radio Operator, Blondie Johnson (1933) .... Cashier, Grand Slam (1933) (uncredited) .... Ivan, Waiter (Peter's Investor), 42nd Street (1933) (uncredited) .... Author of 'Pretty Lady', Employees' Entrance (1933) (uncredited) .... Shoe Salesman, Blessed Event (1932) (uncredited) .... Kane, The Mouthpiece (1932) (uncredited) .... Desk clerk, Union Depot (1932) (uncredited) .... Luggage Checkroom Clerk, Manhattan Parade (1931) (uncredited) .... Desk Clerk, Blonde Crazy (1931) (uncredited) .... Four-Eyes (hotel desk clerk), The Road to Singapore (1931) (uncredited) .... Desk Clerk at Club, Smart Money (1931) (uncredited) .... Hotel desk clerk


"But what have you done lately?"


I don't know a thing about Mr. Lane's personal life outside of the little I've read in his obits. I know he was married to the same woman for 71 years, until her death in 2002. I know he had a couple of kids and a granddaughter. I know he lived in the same house in Brentwood from 1964 until he died. I know he started his acting career at the Pasadena Playhouse and he was a founding member of the Screen Actor's Guild. I also know that he loved opera and playing golf.


In real life I don't know if he was a nice man or a louse, stingy or generous, a Democrat or Republican, a good husband or a cheater. I don't know what he thought about alternative lifestyles or abortion or global warming. I don't know what religion he was, if any at all. I know nothing about Mr. Lane except for the great characters he portrayed on the screen. Isn't that great?


My favorite actors are always the ones of whom I know nothing about personally - that way I can enjoy watching them on screen without the real life baggage. Mr. Lane is one of those actors and I take him for what he is on screen - one of the meanest men in the movies. My guess is that Charles Lane was probably a nice man who loved his wife and family and worked hard and enjoyed his job. I'm sure people who knew him must have liked him otherwise he wouldn't have gotten all the work he had over the years.


What a lucky man to work at what you enjoy doing and to be able to do it until the very end of your exceptionally long life. And to have your wife with you for over 71 years and to live and die in the home you love. And to have so many people appreciate you and love your work. What a way to go! For Charles Lane it was a wonderful life indeed! R.I.P.

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JWR contributor Greg Crosby, former creative head for Walt Disney publications, has written thousands of comics, hundreds of children's books, dozens of essays, and a letter to his congressman. A freelance writer in Southern California, you may contact him by clicking here.

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