“Rocky” Lane Movie Cowboy and Voice of Mr
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Fall 2016 Volume 30 – Number 4 Allan “Rocky” Lane Movie Cowboy and Voice of Mr. Ed by Peter J. De Kever, HLCM Advisory Board For many years, “Rocky” Lane had his own Photograph from movie ‘Big Business.’ Allan Lane is shown here as Red Ryder with his comic book series, which encouraged his Allan Lane played a football star returning to his hometown to horse, Thunder. (1946) young audience members’ loyalty to the promote an oil stock scheme invested in by his family. (1937) movie series. Decades before Adam Driver became productions before landing an Temple, John Wayne, Clark Gable, world-famous as Kilo Ren in Star uncredited role in the 1928 silent Barbara Stanwyck, Ginger Rogers, Wars: The Force Awakens, another picture, Dream of Love, the first of Jimmy Cagney, and Lucille Ball. Mishawakan, Allan “Rocky” Lane, his 125 film credits. The next year The beginning of Allan Lane's was known to moviegoers as one of he assumed the screen name Allan career in Westerns was King of the Hollywood’s biggest Western stars. Lane and had small parts in several Royal Mounted (1940). By 1943, more movies before leaving briefly Born in Mishawaka on September Lane was finally known as a lead for Broadway. After coming back to 22, 1909, Harry Leonard Albershart actor and was soon steadily doing California, Allan grew displeased with was the youngest child of William Westerns. He took on the role of the small roles he was getting, gave and Anna Albershart, who resided at Red Ryder in Santa Fe Uprising, up acting in 1932, and ran his own 224 East Joseph Street (Mishawaka one of seven movies where Lane advertising agency in New York City. Avenue today). Harry's parents soon starred as Red Ryder in 1946-1947. divorced, and the boy moved back Lane resumed his film career in 1936 As Red Ryder rode off into the sun- and forth between their homes and and earned his first starring role in set, Republic Pictures created a even supported himself by working The Duke Comes Back (1937). Known new persona and film franchise at Ball-Band when he was just 7 years as one of the most attractive men in for Lane. The Wild Frontier (1947) old. He was living in Mishawaka until Hollywood, Allan appeared in dra- was the first of 39 films in which at least 1919 and later moved with his mas and comedies during the late he played “Rocky” Lane, a lawman mother to Grand Rapids, Michigan. 1930s, making six or seven films a who upheld justice and defended year. In mostly supporting roles, he Harry began acting on stage in the good folk of the Old West. The appeared with stars such as Shirley 1925 and toured the country in movies were known for gun fights, continued… fist fights, and horse chases featur- seemed to be human in his antics “Rocky” Lane, Wallace Dodge and ing Rocky's trusty steed, Black Jack. and personality. Anna Rohrer. These three amazing Mishawakans contributed to the The studio felt “Allan” did not sound Allan Lane's deep, gravelly voice world stage in very different ways. heroic enough, so Lane suggested gave humanity to the animal, and “Rocky,” his nickname from grade the veteran Western star and horse- Wallace Dodge (1848-1894) was school. The “Rocky” persona soon lover felt he knew how a horse might an entrepreneur and inventor who blended with Allan's own identity, react to human situations. At first, influenced manufacturing in last- and numerous products were mar- Lane was embarrassed that he was ing ways, and his business would keted to children bearing his name playing a horse's voice and refused grow to employ the second larg- and likeness, such as comic books, to have his name in the show's est number of people in the city. pocket knives, and an iron-on shoul- credits. After Mr. Ed became a hit, Anna Rohrer is a name that many der patch for the “Rocky Lane he changed his mind, but the stu- recognize as she graduated from Posse.” The rise of television eventu- dio insisted that Lane's role remain Mishawaka High School in 2015 and ally brought the decline of Westerns anonymous in order to preserve the is currently a student athlete at Notre like Lane's, and El Paso Stampede mystique behind the horse's human Dame. Anna has broken numerous (1953) was his last as Rocky Lane. voice. Mr. Ed ran for five seasons and long distance running state and continues in reruns fifty years later. national records, securing her place In the later 1950s, Allan Lane made as arguably the greatest athlete to numerous guest appearances on TV Allan Lane retired from show business ever come from Mishawaka. World programs, pursued business interests, after Mr. Ed but maintained his inter- Famous Mishawakans, Part II will be and continued to buy and train horses. est in horses and horse racing. He died on display through the end of May. in Los Angeles on October 27, 1973, The role that would become Lane's To see photographs of last year’s dis- and is buried in Inglewood, California. greatest Hollywood legacy began in play, which featured Rose Hartwick 1961 when he provided the voice for You can visit artifacts that tell Allan Thorpe, Freddie Fitzsimmons and a talking horse in Mr. Ed, a television Lane’s story as part of the World Adam Driver, visit www.hlcm.org. sitcom starring Alan Young as the Famous Mishawakans, Part II exhibit. owner of a palomino who often This year, the exhibit features Allan Photograph from movie ‘Frisco Tornado.’ The movie was an installment in the “Rocky” Lane series. The horse Mr. Ed, voiced by Allan Lane, shown here Black Jack was the hero’s trusty steed. (1950) with actor Alan Young, who played his owner, Wilbur. Mr. Ed not only talked; he could read and write. Museum Calendar March 31, 2015 – Ongoing a rotating adventure of objects Clothing Store from the Museum’s permanent After 2 years, hundreds of volunteer collection. The case currently features vintage games and toys. hours and the financial support of our Museum Artifactors and a grant from April 10 – May 15, 2017 Thank You the Mishawaka Business Association, From Pencils to Pixels: The Hannah Lindahl Children’s Museum the Museum’s Clothing Store Exhibit Hoosier Cartoons and Comics is now open. The exhibit features Endowment Fund administered by the Your opportunity to discover the Community Foundation of Saint Joseph WWII era clothing, the history and creativity of Hoosier cartoonists products of Ball-Band / Uniroyal, fash- County was begun with a founding dona- with this traveling exhibit from tion of $10,500 by Don and Nancy ion accessories for men and women the Indiana Historical Society. The Crawford in 2000. The Endowment has through the decades and more. exhibit explores the adventures since grown to more than $225,000. of comic strip characters such as October 5, 2016 – May 31, 2017 The Endowment Fund ensures the ongo- fat-cat Garfield, Brown County savant World Famous Mishawakans, Part II ing legacy of Hannah Lindahl Children’s This exhibit features three world Abe martin, and “Chic” Jackson’s Museum in the local community. It famous residents from Mishawaka’s “Roger Bean,” which featured the supports our mission to provide a collec- lives of a typical Hoosier family. tion of unique artifacts that encourages past and present. This year we are families to explore, learn and enjoy the highlighting the life and influence of November 22 – December 20, 2016 history of the Mishawaka area. Anna Rohrer (track and cross country Let it Snow, Let it Snow athlete), Allan “Rocky” Lane (movie The Museum becomes a winter We wish to thank our and television actor) and Wallace wonderland. Over 1,000 Christmas 2015-2016 Donors Dodge (inventor and entrepreneur). lights and several holiday vignettes to the Endowment Fund This exhibit changes annually, to will delight visitors as you walk see past featured World Famous $150 – $200 through the model streetscape Mark Bradford Mishawakans visit HLCM’s website! of Mishawaka. Visitors will also Ilene M. Crutchfield October 2016 – Ongoing enjoy a Victorian Christmas in min- Kevin Davis Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public iature in the Guske Dollhouse. Library Display William and Linda Gray The Museum’s display case in Nancy Harter the lower level of the down- John Young PTSA town Mishawaka library features Lexie Schroeder Kobb Allen and Peggy Marker Thank You Museum Members! Connie Saltzgaber As HLCM is in its annual Membership Campaign, I wanted to take Carol Thie a moment to thank you. Your support through a membership Reg and Barbara Wagle donation allows us to create new exhibits, care for a unique $1,000 – $5,000 collection of local history objects, create special programming Jo Ann K. Cook for our community, and more! Thank you for your donation and $5,000 – $10,000 continued support. Patricia L. Tollens $15,000 – $20,000 Lexie Schroeder Kobb Rosemary Klaer Museum Director If you wish to make a donation to the HLCM Endowment Fund, please contact [email protected], 574-254-4540 or Reminder: If you haven’t yet sent in your membership, please contact the Community Foundation of do so before December 20th in order to receive this year’s mem- St. Joseph County at 574-232-0041. bership premium. Museum Advisory Board 2016–17 Dave Eisen, president • Linda Irish, vice president • Linda Gray, secretary Connie Saltzgaber, treasurer •Dr. A. Dean Speicher, Interim Superintendent Kevin Davis • Peter DeKever • Dave Eggleston • Annette Ernst • Lisa Gartee Eva Jojo • Dr.