Richard Ollie Crane (June 6, 1918 – March 9, 1969) was a

character actor A character actor is a supporting actor who plays unusual, interesting, or eccentric characters.28 April 2013, The New York Acting SchoolTen Best Character Actors of All Time Retrieved 7 August 2014, "..a breed of actor who has the ability to b ...

whose career spanned three decades in films and television. His early career included many uncredited performances in feature films made in the 1940s.

Early years and career

Crane was born in

New Castle, Indiana New Castle is a city in Henry County, Indiana, east-northeast of Indianapolis, on the Big Blue River. The city is the county seat of Henry County. New Castle is home to New Castle Fieldhouse, the largest high school gymnasium in the world. Th ...

. Crane may be best remembered for his portrayal of the title role in the TV science fiction series ''

Rocky Jones, Space Ranger ''Rocky Jones, Space Ranger'' is an American science fiction television serial originally broadcast in syndication from February to November 1954. The show lasted for only two seasons and, though syndicated sporadically, dropped into obscurity. ...

'', which ran for two seasons starting in 1954. In 1952, he signed a seven-year contract that specified he was to make annual tours of the United States, appearing as Jones in presentations to school groups. In 1949–1950, he portrayed Lieutenant Cummings in ''

Mysteries of Chinatown ''Mysteries of Chinatown'' is an American crime drama series that aired on the ABC television network from December 4, 1949 to October 23, 1950. Marvin Miller made his television debut in the series. Cast * Marvin Miller as Dr. Yat Fu * Gloria ...

'' a crime drama on ABC television. Crane also appeared in the outer-space adventure serial '' Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe'' in 1953, as Dick Preston, Cody's semi-comical sidekick, and was the hero of the 1951 serial based loosely on

Jules Verne Jules Gabriel Verne (;''Longman Pronunciation Dictionary''. ; 8 February 1828 – 24 March 1905) was a French novelist, poet, and playwright. His collaboration with the publisher Pierre-Jules Hetzel led to the creation of the ''Voyages extraor ...

's ''

Mysterious Island ''The Mysterious Island'' (french: L'Île mystérieuse) is a novel by Jules Verne, published in 1875. The original edition, published by Hetzel, contains a number of illustrations by Jules Férat. The novel is a crossover sequel to Verne's fam ...

''. Crane portrayed Gene Plehan in the crime drama ''

Surfside 6 ''Surfside 6'' is an ABC television series which aired from 1960 to 1962. The show centered on a Miami Beach detective agency set on a houseboat and featured Troy Donahue as Sandy Winfield II; Van Williams as Kenny Madison (a character recycled ...

'' on ABC (1960-1962). He later made numerous appearances in many popular TV shows. In 1958-1959 he made two guest appearances on ''

Perry Mason Perry Mason is a fictional character, an American criminal defense lawyer who is the main character in works of detective fiction written by Erle Stanley Gardner. Perry Mason features in 82 novels and 4 short stories, all of which involve a cli ...

'': as George Moore in "The Case of the Lonely Heiress," and Dr. Douglas Keene in "The Case of the Caretaker's Cat." Other television appearances included ''

The Lone Ranger The Lone Ranger is a fictional masked former Texas Ranger who fought outlaws in the American Old West with his Native American friend Tonto. The character has been called an enduring icon of American culture. He first appeared in 1933 in ...

'', ''

Death Valley Days ''Death Valley Days'' is an American old-time radio and television anthology series featuring true accounts of the American Old West, particularly the Death Valley country of southeastern California. Created in 1930 by Ruth Woodman, the program ...

'', '' Dragnet'', ''

Lassie Lassie is a fictional female Rough Collie dog and is featured in a short story by Eric Knight that was later expanded to a full-length novel called ''Lassie Come-Home''. Knight's portrayal of Lassie bears some features in common with another fic ...

'', ''

The Rifleman ''The Rifleman'' is an American Western television program starring Chuck Connors as rancher Lucas McCain and Johnny Crawford as his son Mark McCain. It was set in the 1880s in the fictional town of North Fork, New Mexico Territory. The show wa ...

'', and ''

Gang Busters ''Gang Busters'' is an American dramatic radio program heralded as "the only national program that brings you authentic police case histories." It premiered on January 15, 1936, and was broadcast over 21 years through November 27, 1957. Histo ...

'', in which he played gangster

John Dillinger John Herbert Dillinger (June 22, 1903 – July 22, 1934) was an American gangster during the Great Depression. He led the Dillinger Gang, which was accused of robbing 24 banks and four police stations. Dillinger was imprisoned several times and ...

's associate

Homer Van Meter Homer Virgil Van Meter (December 3, 1905 – August 23, 1934) was an American criminal and bank robber active in the early 20th century, most notably as a criminal associate of John Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson. Biography Early life Van ...

. (Footage from ''Gang Busters'', including Crane's part as Homer Van Meter, was edited into the low-budget theatrical film ''

Guns Don't Argue ''Guns Don't Argue'' is a 1957 low-budget feature film about the early achievements of the FBI in defeating the most notorious criminals of the 1930s. The film involves dramatizations of the crimes and eventual demise of various gangsters, along w ...

''.) Crane acted on stage with the Las Palmas Theater, performing in ''Command Decision'' in 1949 and ''Light Up the Sky'' in 1950.

Death

Crane died of a heart attack at the age of 50. He is buried in

Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery is located at 10621 Victory Boulevard in North Hollywood and Burbank, California. The cemetery has an entrance called the Portal of the Folded Wings Shrine to Aviation that is the final resting place for aviation ...

Partial filmography

* ''

Susan and God ''Susan and God'' is a 1940 American comedy-drama film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer directed by George Cukor and starring Joan Crawford and Fredric March. The screenplay was written by Anita Loos and was based upon a 1937 play by Rachel Crothe ...

'' (1940) - Bob * ''

We Who Are Young ''We Who Are Young'' is a 1940 American drama film directed by Harold S. Bucquet, written by Dalton Trumbo and starring Lana Turner, John Shelton and Gene Lockhart. Plot Cast * Lana Turner as Margy Brooks * John Shelton as William Brooks * ...

'' (1940) - Savoy-Carlton Bellboy (uncredited) * ''

Meet the Wildcat ''Meet the Wildcat'' is an American 1940 mystery film directed by Arthur Lubin starring Ralph Bellamy and Margaret Lindsay. Plot One day in Mexico, magazine photographer Ann Larkin is in a museum when she happens to see a man steal a painting. P ...

'' (1940) - Bill—Office Worker (uncredited) * ''

Who Killed Aunt Maggie? ''Who Killed Aunt Maggie?'' is a 1940 American mystery film directed by Arthur Lubin and starring John Hubbard, Wendy Barrie and Mona Barrie. It was produced and distributed by Republic Pictures. Plot Radio-mystery script writer Sally Ambler is ...

'' (1940) - Radio Station Man (uncredited) * ''

Keeping Company ''Keeping Company'' is a 1940 drama film directed by S. Sylvan Simon and starring Frank Morgan as a real estate broker with three daughters who all have their own problems. The film was followed by ''This Time for Keeps ''This Time for Keeps'' ...

'' (1940) - Eddie Lane (uncredited) * ''

The Saint in Palm Springs ''The Saint in Palm Springs'' is a crime melodrama released by RKO Pictures in early 1941. The film continued the screen adventures of the Robin Hood-inspired anti-hero, Simon Templar, alias "The Saint", created by Leslie Charteris. This sequel ...

'' (1941) - Whitey (uncredited) * ''

Double Date Dating is a stage of romantic relationships in which two individuals engage in an activity together, most often with the intention of evaluating each other's suitability as a partner in a future intimate relationship. It falls into the categor ...

'' (1941) - Boy (uncredited) * ''

In the Navy "In the Navy" is a song by American disco group Village People. It was released as the first single from their fourth studio album, '' Go West'' (1979). It was a number one hit in Canada, Flanders, Japan and the Netherlands, while reaching numbe ...

'' (1941) - Office Boy (uncredited) * ''

Keep 'Em Flying ''Keep 'Em Flying'' is a 1941 film starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello. The film was their third service comedy based on the peacetime draft of 1940. The comedy team had appeared in two previous service comedies in 1941, before the ...

'' (1941) - Cadet Stevens (uncredited) * ''

Tillie the Toiler ''Tillie the Toiler'' is a newspaper comic strip created by cartoonist Russ Westover who initially worked on his concept of a flapper character in a strip he titled ''Rose of the Office''. With a title change, it sold to King Features Syndicate ...

'' (1941) - Young man (uncredited) * ''

This Time for Keeps ''This Time for Keeps'' is a 1947 American romantic musical film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Esther Williams, Jimmy Durante, Johnnie Johnston and opera singer Lauritz Melchior. Produced by MGM, it is about a soldier, returning home ...

'' (1942) - Eustace Andrews * ''

Eagle Squadron The Eagle Squadrons were three fighter squadrons of the Royal Air Force (RAF) formed with volunteer pilots from the United States during the early days of World War II (circa 1940), prior to America's entry into the war in December 1941. Wit ...

'' (1942) - Griffith * ''

The Phantom Plainsmen ''The Phantom Plainsmen'' is a 1942 American Western "Three Mesquiteers" B-movie directed by John English and starring Bob Steele, Tom Tyler, and Rufe Davis. Cast * Bob Steele as Tucson Smith * Tom Tyler as Stony Brooke * Rufe Davis as Lul ...

'' (1942) - Tad Marvin * ''

Sweater Girl The term "sweater girl" was made popular in the 1940s and 1950s to describe Hollywood actors like Lana Turner, Jayne Mansfield, and Jane Russell, who adopted the popular fashion of wearing tight, form-fitting sweaters that emphasized the woman's ...

'' (1942) - Freshman (uncredited) * ''

Her Cardboard Lover ''Her Cardboard Lover'' is a 1942 American comedy film directed by George Cukor, starring Norma Shearer (in her final screen role), Robert Taylor, and George Sanders. The screenplay by Jacques Deval, John Collier, Anthony Veiller, and William ...

'' (1942) - Casino Page (uncredited) * ''

Flying Tigers The First American Volunteer Group (AVG) of the Republic of China Air Force, nicknamed the Flying Tigers, was formed to help oppose the Japanese invasion of China. Operating in 1941–1942, it was composed of pilots from the United States Ar ...

'' (1942) - Airfield Radioman (uncredited) * ''

This Is the Army ''This Is the Army'' is a 1943 American wartime musical comedy film produced by Hal B. Wallis and Jack L. Warner, and directed by Michael Curtiz, adapted from a wartime stage musical with the same name, designed to boost morale in the U.S. duri ...

'' (1943) - Sergeant on Field March (uncredited) * ''

Someone to Remember ''Someone to Remember'' is a 1943 American drama film directed by Robert Siodmak and written by Frances Hyland. The film stars Mabel Paige, Harry Shannon, John Craven, Dorothy Morris, Charles Dingle and David Bacon. The film was released on Aug ...

'' (1943) - Paul Parker * ''

So Proudly We Hail! ''So Proudly We Hail!'' is a 1943 American war film directed and produced by Mark Sandrich and starring Claudette Colbert, Paulette Goddard – who was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance – an ...

'' (1943) - Georgie Larson (uncredited) * ''

Corvette K-225 ''Corvette K-225'' is a 1943 American war film starring Randolph Scott and James Brown, with Ella Raines making her feature film debut. Directed by Richard Rosson, the film was released in the UK as ''The Nelson Touch''. Robert Mitchum, cred ...

'' (1943) - Leading Torpedo Man (uncredited) * '' Happy Land'' (1943) - Russell 'Rusty' Marsh * '' Cry 'Havoc''' (1943) - Man (uncredited) * ''

Riders of the Deadline ''Riders of the Deadline'' is a 1943 American Western film directed by Lesley Selander and written by Bennett Cohen. The film stars William Boyd, Andy Clyde, Jimmy Rogers, Frances Woodward, Robert Mitchum, Richard Crane, Anthony Warde and Wi ...

'' (1943) - Tim Mason * ''

Ladies Courageous ''Ladies Courageous'' (also called ''Fury in the Sky'' in a 1950 Realart re-release) is a 1944 war film based on the novel ''Looking For Trouble'' (1941) by Virginia Spencer Cowles. Directed by John Rawlins, the film stars Loretta Young and Gera ...

'' (1944) - Carl (uncredited) * ''

None Shall Escape ''None Shall Escape'' is a 1944 war film. Even though the film was made during World War II, the setting is a post-war Nuremberg-style war crimes trial. Alexander Knox plays Wilhelm Grimm, a Nazi officer who is on trial, and the story unfolds th ...

'' (1944) - Willie Grimm as a Man * '' Follow the Boys'' (1944) - Marine Officer (uncredited) * ''

Wing and a Prayer ''Wing and a Prayer, The Story of Carrier X'' (also known as ''Queen of the Flat Tops '' and ''Torpedo Squadron Eight'') is a black-and-white 1944 war film about the heroic crew of an American aircraft carrier in the desperate early days of Wor ...

'' (1944) - Ens. Gus Chisholm * ''

An American Romance ''An American Romance'' is a 1944 American epic drama film directed and produced by King Vidor, who also wrote the screen story. Shot in Technicolor, the film stars Brian Donlevy and Ann Richards and is narrated by Horace McNally. The film is ...

'' (1944) - Hank (uncredited) * ''

Captain Eddie ''Captain Eddie'' is a 1945 American drama film directed by Lloyd Bacon, based on ''Seven Were Saved'' by "Eddie" Rickenbacker and Lt. James Whittaker's ''We Thought We Heard the Angels Sing''. The film stars Fred MacMurray, Lynn Bari and Charl ...

'' (1945) - Capt. Bill Cherry * ''

The Flying Serpent ''The Flying Serpent'' is a 1946 American fantasy- horror film based on a story by John T Neville. It follows the deranged archaeologist, Dr Andrew Forbes, as he uses his discovery of a killer bird god, the mythical Quetzalcoatl, to murder his ...

'' (1946) - Radio Announcer (uncredited) * ''

Behind Green Lights ''Behind Green Lights'' is a 1946 American crime film directed by Otto Brower. Plot Police Lieutenant Sam Carson spots Walter Bard's bullet-ridden corpse in a car brazenly left in front of the police station. Carson questions Janet Bradley aft ...

'' (1946) - Johnny Williams - Reporter * ''

Johnny Comes Flying Home ''Johnny Comes Flying Home'' is a 1946 American adventure film directed by Benjamin Stoloff and starring Richard Crane (actor), Richard Crane and Faye Marlowe; the supporting cast features Harry Morgan. The plot involves postwar pilots starting a ...

'' (1946) - Johnny Martin * ''

Campus Honeymoon ''Campus Honeymoon'' is a 1948 American comedy film directed by Richard Sale, written by Jerome Gruskin and Richard Sale, and starring Lyn Wilde, Lee Wilde, Adele Mara, Richard Crane, Hal Hackett and Wilson Wood. It was released on February 1 ...

'' (1948) - Robert Watson * '' Arthur Takes Over'' (1948) - James Clark * ''

Waterfront at Midnight ''Waterfront at Midnight'' is a 1948 American film noir crime film directed by William Berke, written by Bernard Girard and starring William Gargan, Mary Beth Hughes, Richard Travis, Richard Crane, Cheryl Walker and Horace McMahon. It was rele ...

'' (1948) - Denny Hanrohan * '' Triple Threat'' (1948) - Don Whitney * ''

Angel on the Amazon ''Angel on the Amazon'', also known as ''Drums Along the Amazon'', is a 1948 American adventure film directed by John H. Auer and starring George Brent, Vera Ralston, Brian Aherne and Constance Bennett.Kellow p.463 Plot summary After a plane ...

'' (1948) - Johnny MacMahon * ''

Dynamite Dynamite is an explosive made of nitroglycerin, sorbents (such as powdered shells or clay), and Stabilizer (chemistry), stabilizers. It was invented by the Swedish people, Swedish chemist and engineer Alfred Nobel in Geesthacht, Northern Germa ...

'' (1949) - Johnny Brown * ''

A Lady Without Passport ''A Lady Without Passport'' is a 1950 American film noir film directed by Joseph H. Lewis and starring Hedy Lamarr and John Hodiak. Written by Howard Dimsdale, the film is about a beautiful concentration-camp refugee who has taken up residence in ...

'' (1950) - Lt. Maxon, Navy Flyer * '' The Last Outpost'' (1951) - Lt. McReady (uncredited) * '' Home Town Story'' (1951) - Don (uncredited) * ''

'' (1951 serial) - Capt. Cyrus Harding * '' Man in the Saddle'' (1951) - Juke Vird * ''

Leadville Gunslinger ''Leadville Gunslinger'' is a 1952 American Western film directed by Harry Keller and starring Allan Lane, Elaine Riley and Eddy Waller.Drew p.18 The film's art direction was by Fred A. Ritter Plot Cast * Allan Lane as U. S. Marshal Rocky ...

'' (1952) - Jim Blanchard * ''

Thundering Caravans ''Thundering Caravans'' is a 1952 American Western film directed by Harry Keller and starring Allan Lane, Mona Knox and Eddy Waller.Drew p.18 The film's art direction was by Frank Hotaling. Plot Cast * Allan Lane as Marshal Rocky Lane * ...

'' (1952) - Deputy Dan Reed * ''Ellis in Freedomland'' (1952) - Male Model * ''

Winning of the West ''Winning of the West'' is a 1953 American Western film directed by George Archainbaud and starring Gene Autry and Gail Davis.Rowan p.33 Plot Main cast * Gene Autry as Gene Autry * Champion as Champ - Gene's Horse * Gail Davis as Ann Ra ...

'' (1953) - Jack Autry aka Jack Austin * ''

Woman They Almost Lynched ''Woman They Almost Lynched'' is a 1953 American Western film directed by Allan Dwan and written by Steve Fisher. The film stars John Lund, Brian Donlevy, Audrey Totter, Joan Leslie, Ben Cooper, James Brown and Nina Varela. The film was rel ...

'' (1953) - Yankee Lieutenant (uncredited) * ''

The Neanderthal Man ''The Neanderthal Man'' is a 78-minute, 1953 American black-and-white science fiction film produced independently by Aubrey Wisberg and Jack Pollexfen, as Global Productions Inc., from their own original screenplay. It starred Robert Shayne, Ri ...

'' (1953) - Dr. Ross Harkness * ''

The Great Adventures of Captain Kidd ''The Great Adventures of Captain Kidd'' (1953) was the 52nd serial released by Columbia Pictures. It is based in the historical figure of Captain William Kidd. Plot In 1697, agents Richard Dale and Alan Duncan are sent on an undercover missio ...

'' (1953 serial) - Richard Dale * ''

Sea of Lost Ships ''Sea of Lost Ships'' is a 1953 American adventure film directed by Joseph Kane and starring John Derek, Wanda Hendrix and Walter Brennan. It is a tribute to the US Coast Guard. Plot The son of a deceased Coast Guard hero is raised by a Coast Gu ...

'' (1953) - Radar Man (uncredited) * ''

Flight Nurse A flight nurse is a registered nurse who specialises in the field of providing comprehensive pre-hospital, emergency critical care, and hospital care to a vast scope of patients. The care of these patients is generally during aeromedical evacua ...

'' (1953) - Lt. Will Cary (uncredited) * ''

The Eternal Sea ''The Eternal Sea'' (aka ''The Admiral Hoskins Story'') is a 1955 American war film directed by John H. Auer and starring Sterling Hayden, Alexis Smith and Ben Cooper. After an American naval officer loses his leg at the Battle of Leyte Gulf, he ...

'' (1955) - Lt. Johnson * '' No Man's Woman'' (1955) - Dick Sawyer * ''

Bobby Ware Is Missing ''Bobby Ware Is Missing'' is a 1955 American crime film directed by Thomas Carr (director), Thomas Carr and written by Daniel B. Ullman. The film stars Neville Brand, Arthur Franz, Jean Willes, Walter Reed (actor), Walter Reed, Paul Picerni and Ki ...

'' (1955) - Police Car Deputy in Car #12 * ''

The Eddy Duchin Story ''The Eddy Duchin Story'' is a 1956 Technicolor film biopic of band leader and pianist Eddy Duchin. It was directed by George Sidney, written by Samuel A. Taylor, and starred Tyrone Power and Kim Novak. Harry Stradling received an Academy Award n ...

'' (1956) - Seaman (uncredited) * '' Bailout at 43,000'' (1957) - Captain Jack Nolan * ''

Official Detective ''Official Detective'' is an American anthology television series which aired in syndication from 1957 to March 19, 1958. The series was hosted by veteran film actor Everett Sloane.McNeil, Alex (1996). ''Total Television'' (4th ed.). New York: Pen ...

'' (1957, Episode: "Hired Killer") - Det. Benson * ''

The Deep Six ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the ...

'' (1958) - Lieutenant j.g. Swanson * ''

The Alligator People ''The Alligator People'' is a 1959 CinemaScope science-fiction horror film directed by Roy Del Ruth.''Midnight Marquee Actors Series: Lon Chaney, Jr.'' by Gary Svehla It stars Beverly Garland, Bruce Bennett, and Lon Chaney Jr. This film was th ...

'' (1959) - Paul Webster * '' Battle Flame'' (1959) - Dr. Bill Stoddard * ''

13 Fighting Men ''13 Fighting Men'' is a 1960 American drama film directed by Harry W. Gerstad and written by Robert Hamner and Jack W. Thomas. The film stars Grant Williams (actor), Grant Williams, Brad Dexter, Carole Mathews, Robert Dix, Richard Garland and Ri ...

'' (1960) - Loomis * ''

Devil's Partner ''Devil's Partner'' is a 1958 American film starring Ed Nelson, directed by Charles R. Rondeau and produced by Hugh Hooker, an actor and stuntman who had previously made the 1958 film ''The Littlest Hobo''. However the film was not released unti ...

'' (1961) - David Simpson * ''

Boy Who Caught a Crook ''The Boy Who Caught a Crook'' is a 1961 children's film about a young boy who tracks down a gangster. Plot Cast * Wanda Hendrix as Laura * Don Beddoe as Colonel * Roger Mobley as Kid * Richard Crane as Connors * Johnny Seven as Rocky Kent ...

'' (1961) - Connors * '' House of the Damned'' (1963) - Joseph Schiller * ''Please Don't Touch Me'' (1963) * '' Surf Party'' (1964) - Sgt. Wayne Neal

References

Sources and External Links

*
Profile
epguides.com
Space Hero Files: Rocky Jones, Space Ranger
slick-net.com
A database and Cover gallery of ''Rocky Jones, Space Ranger''
comics.org {{DEFAULTSORT:Crane, Richard 1918 births 1969 deaths People from New Castle, Indiana American male film actors Male film serial actors American male television actors Male actors from Indiana Burials at Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery 20th-century American male actors