Chandler starred in eight for producer Willis Kent. A few years after the Chandler series, Kent signed Northwestern University fullback Lafayette H. 'Reb' Russell to a contract for a series of western flicks. |
(Courtesy of Les Adams) Above - Richard 'Dick' Cramer has his grip on Gertrude Messinger while Chandler looks on in this title card from LAWLESS VALLEY (Willis Kent, 1932). Gertie was a co-star in "The Boy Friend" series for producer Hal Roach. Future stuntman Dave Sharpe was also a member of the cast and Gertude was briefly married to Sharpe. (From Old Corral collection) Above is a stained and well worn title lobby card from BATTLING BUCKAROO (Kent, 1932), and Chandler is cuddling with pretty Doris Hill. BATTLING BUCKAROO is another B western that is lost/missing.
Oliver Drake and the Kent series
Les Adams knew Oliver Drake and chit-chatted and interviewed him on several occasions. Les adds:
(From Old Corral collection) Above - Lane Chandler battles stuntman and supporting player Yakima Canutt in BATTLING BUCKAROO (Kent, 1932). Note that Canutt is wearing his traditional, and multi-colored, gunbelt. (Courtesy of Les Adams) Left to right are Lane Chandler, Phyllis Barrington, Arthur Thalasso (bartender), J. Frank Glendon (as the local minister/parson) and Bart Carre in a still from THE RECKLESS RIDER (Willis Kent, 1932). (Courtesy of Les Adams) Above - Lane Chandler versus Harry Semels in a crop from a lobby card from WYOMING WHIRLWIND (Willis Kent, 1932), Chandler's finale for producer Willis Kent. |
Kinematrade and Empire had plans for a half-dozen "Phantom Rider" adventures starring Chandler. Only two were completed. Empire was also responsible for the John Preston "Morton of the Mounted" films ... and the company lasted about 18 months circa 1934-1935 before going belly-up. |
(Courtesy of Les Adams) Above is a 1935 trade magazine announcement from Empire on the Phantom Rider series noting "6 'PHANTOM RIDER' fast-action Westerns with famous cowboy stars." (Courtesy of Les Adams) Above is the title lobby card from THE OUTLAW TAMER (Empire, 1935). In the upper right are 'Slim' Whitaker vs. leading lady Blanche Mehaffey, here billed as 'Janet Morgan'. (From Old Corral collection) From left to right in this lobby card from THE OUTLAW TAMER (Empire, 1935) are Charles 'Slim' Whitaker, hero Lane Chandler and J. P. McGowan. McGowan portrayed a lawman and also directed. (Courtesy of Les Adams) Above are Chandler and Blanche Mehaffey (billed as 'Janet Morgan') in a still from THE OUTLAW TAMER (Empire, 1935). |
Chandler was "Davy Crockett" in HEROES OF THE ALAMO.
When HEROES OF THE ALAMO was first released as in indie from Sunset, Bruce Warren and Ruth Findlay were top-billed. But when Columbia picked it for distribution as a Columbia film, they redid all the optics and printed material and Lane Chandler and Rex Lease got first place on the posters and ads. See pressbook ads below. | |
(Pressbook ad courtesy of Les Adams) | |
(Pressbook ad courtesy of Les Adams) | (Courtesy of Les Adams) Above from L-to-R are Bruce Warren, Lane Chandler (in buckskins), Lee Valianos and Rex Lease in a scene from HEROES OF THE ALAMO (Sunset, 1937). |