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Oct. 26, 2009
The Jewish Ethicist by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir: Damaging disclosures with a twist
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Oct. 23, 2009
Rabbi David Aaron: Are you ready for the ultimate pleasure?
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Oct. 22, 2009
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Oct. 21, 2009
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Oct. 20, 2009
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JWisdom.com Abraham was not religious By Rabbi Yitzchok Fingerer ( 6 minutes)
Oct. 19, 2009
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Oct. 15, 2009
Jeff Jacoby: Peace vs. the 'peace process'
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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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