Sara Lane Recovery

AladdinSara “Russell” Lane recently left this message for her fans. For those who don’t know she was critically ill a few months ago but thanks to excellent health care and much love is on the road to recovery. This is her message:

I had bad stomach poisoning and was so sick I blew a hole in my stomach. The Docs say they’ve seen this before. The result was peritonitis, renal failure and the need to spend a week intubated and sometimes in soft restraints so I didn’t pull the tubes out. My dear daughter, Sara, brought me everyone’s good wishes but could only stay for moments at a time. When I transferred to a skilled nursing facility I wasn’t yet able to turn over.

All of that is behind me now. I just got home and feel strong and optimistic again. What a glorious thing to be able to sit in the sun at home and have the luxury of time and strength to read and savor your posts and cards.

My thanks and love to you all.

Russell/Sara

Sara Lane in “Beloved Outlaw” (5:11)

AladdinSara Lane with “Aladdin” from the classic Virginian episode “Beloved Outlaw” (5:11). Elizabeth Grainger (Sara Lane) trains a beautiful wild stallion in the hope of competing in the annual Founder’s Day Race in Medicine Bow. In reality Aladdin was an 18-year-old stallion trained as a “trick horse” by veteran horse trainer Ralph McCutcheon. (Thanks to Victoria Snoddy Thompson and INSP).

Sara Lane : I Saw What You Did (1965)

Sarah Lane and Sharyl Locke

The year before she starred in The Virginian Sara Lane co-starred with Joan Crawford in William Castle’s menacing thriller I Saw What You Did (1965). The trailer and synopsis for the film is featured elsewhere on this site. Meanwhile here is the first of a number of publicity photographs from the film featuring Sara Lane (credited as Sarah Lane).

The Autry National Center : The Virginian TV Series 50th Anniversary 2012

The Virginian Television Series 50th Anniversary
Celebration at the Autry National Center

The Autry National Center in Los Angeles, California and Gene Autry Entertainment will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the ground-breaking western television program The Virginian on Saturday, September 22, 2012. The day’s events include a panel discussion with cast members, episode screenings, autograph session, and more.

The Virginian cast members scheduled to appear are James Drury, Randy Boone, Gary Clarke, Sara Lane, Diane Roter, Roberta Shore and Don Quine.

Owen Wister’s 1902 western novel The Virginian was one of the first great novels of the American West. Set in the semi-mythical town of Medicine Bow, Wyoming in the 1890’s, it chronicled the lives and relationships of the people who came west and settled the wild land. Starring James Drury in the title role, The Virginian was the first 90 minute television western, airing in prime time on NBC from 1962-1971.

Event Details

Saturday, September 22, 2012
10:00AM to 4:00PM

The Autry National Center
4700 Western Heritage Way
Los Angeles, CA 90027
www.theautry.org

Autry Museum Members: FREE
Adults: $10
Students with current ID & Seniors (60+): $6
Children (3-12): $4
Children under 3: Free

Free with current ID for active military personnel and veterans, peace officers, and park rangers

Parking: Free

Contact: Maxine Hansen
mhansen@autry.com

Sara Lane # 4

 Sara Lane consistently heads the list for the greatest number of searches on my site.  She is obviously one of the most popular cast members of The Virginian. There is no doubt the caring sensitivity of her character makes a pleasant change from so many aggressive females on television today. Elizabeth Grainger has grown better with age and the charm of Sara Lane has gained her many new fans.

I Saw What You Did (1965) Sara Lane Film Excerpt

For all Sara Lane fans here’s a film excerpt from I Saw What You Did (1965). As I mention in another post on my blog this William Castle film featured a pre-Virginian Sara Lane – credited as Sarah Lane.  To set the scene – Kit Austin (Sarah Lane) has been invited to her country house by her friend. They get up to mischief making prank calls that soon get out of hand. This clip contains some violent scenes for 1965 and it goes without saying not to try this at home. 🙂