My mother had great memories of Mr. Lane. His daughter was a good friend of my mom and visiting their house was fun for a young lady. Whenever we drive by their old house she remembers the good old days at the Lane house. But any memory like this would of course be replayed as his many excellent movies or TV shows are constantly being scheduled. He was an iconic character in so many classics.


Mr. Lane was a delightful character actor who always made an impression in his film and TV roles. I remember him best as the foul tempered and mean spirited Homer Bedloe of the TV series Petticoat Junction of the mid 1960's. Earlier this year I found out delightfully that he was still alive at 102. This morning while watching a Turner Classic Movie from 1938 who should be in the cast but Charles Lane? This led to an inquiry on the Internet and unfortunate news of his recent death. A truly unique actor straddling a century of films and TV.

Well, we all have to go sometime, but I was hoping Mr. Lane would be around at least long enough to see the documentary currently being made on his long career. What a loss. With the passing of Lane and Kitty Carlisle earlier this year we now have no one left to tell us about the classic pre-war era of American cinema. This is really the end of the line.