Richard Crane was recruited by Hollywood in his early twenties, making his screen debut in the 1940 Joan Crawford vehicle Susan and God (1940). Crane coasted on his good looks and pleasant personality throughout the war years, while most of Hollywood's top leading men were in uniform, appearing in 20th Century Fox's Happy Land (1943) and A Wing and a Prayer (1944). By 1951, he was accepting make-work jobs along the lines of the Columbia serial Mysterious Island. His film career in almost total eclipse, Crane briefly rallied as star of the popular syndicated sci-fi TV series Rocky Jones, Space Ranger (1953). He was later seen in the supporting role of Lt. Gene Plethon on TV's Surfside Six (1961-1962). Richard Crane's last big-screen appearance was in Surf Party (1964). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

"Rocky Jones, Space Ranger" lasted only one season in syndication, running on fledgling independent television stations and failing DuMont outlets. The stations complained it was "too expensive," a complaint echoed 15 years later by NBC referring to Paramount-Desilu's, "Star Trek," now owned by CBS/Paramount.

  

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