In Search of Lash LaRue - Page 2, the long version
September 20, 2018 - added death certificate info which is in Box 9., near the bottom of this webpage.
Lots of links in the boxes below. Those will open in a separate window / tab. |
| 1. My initial research on Lash began with these records, sources, and dates. |
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Over the years, I collected many magazine and newspaper articles, movie pressbook clippings, book biographies, etc. on Lash.
The source data for the California Death Index is the death certificate. The Index has a record for Alfred Lash LaRue, mother's maiden name of BUSSELLE, father's last name was WILSON. His birth date and location were June 14, 1917 and MICHIGAN and he passed away on May 21, 1996 in California: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VPZD-FDX |
| 2. Family Trees on ancestry.com And where is Watervliet, Michigan? |
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Subscribers to Ancestry.com can build family trees and include additional items such as photos and comments. Several family trees on ancestry identify Lash as "Alfred Larue Wilson", born June 14, 1917 in Watervliet, Berrien County, Michigan.
Father: Charles Alfred Wilson (1885 or 1887 - 1957) ... he was born Charles Wilson John / Johns and his parents were Ezra John / Johns and Melinda / Malinda / Linda Troy.
In box 4 below, there are many details on Lash and family. Soon after their 1913 marriage, Charles Wilson and Louise Busselle Wilson moved from Ohio to the Martin farm in Watervliet, Michigan. They had two children - daughter Leora A. Wilson was born July, 1914 and son Reu Alfred Wilson was born June 14 or 15, 1917. The marriage was short-lived - Louise filed for divorce from Charles A. Wilson on July 30, 1918. Louise was granted a divorce on May 13, 1919, and she received alimony and custody of the children.
 Watervliet, Michigan is located about 90 miles north of South Bend, Indiana and about 350 miles north of Cincinnati, Ohio and Clermont County, Ohio: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Watervliet,+MI/Clermont,+Ohio/@40.6908864,-86.8640521,8z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x8810b54cc6c1b4a9:0xfa655d1c9b247f4d!2m2!1d-86.2605776!2d42.1867052!1m5!1m1!1s0x8840e4b121e3d8b7:0x24865fe63393aade!2m2!1d-84.1857115!2d39.0928449?hl=en |
| 3. Lash's first wife was Wilda Cruthers (1918 - 1989) and they married in 1937. Son Ronald Alfred Wilson / LaRue was born in 1937. And did Lash work as a hairdresser? |
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1920 census summary and census takers worksheet - living in Carbon County, Montana were 29 year old William Cruthers (born Pennsylvania; occupation "foreman - coal mine"), 23 year old wife Louis [sic] (born Alabama, no occupation), and 2 year old Wilma [sic] (born Montana): https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M83F-PHT
California Birth Index: Ronald Alfred Wilson (Lash's son) was born October 24, 1937 in San Francisco, California and his Mother's maiden name was Cruthers: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VLNR-YRX
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 Bobbi Ann Johnson Holmes was a friend of Lash's late son Ronald Alfred Wilson (1937 - 2007) who later changed his name to Ronald Alfred LaRue. She did an interview with Ron, and there's lots of details on Lash and Ron's mother Wilda J. Cruthers. After high school graduation, Ron and his first wife traveled the carnival circuit with Lash for about three years.: https://bobbiholmes.com/ron_larue/
Following are excerpts from the article (I've capitalized several names to highlight them):
"Ron LaRue was born RONALD ALFRED WILSON on October 24, 1937, to parents ALFRED WILSON and WILDA CRUTHERS WILSON, in San Francisco California. Ron's parents were about 18 years old, in love, and Alfred, like Alfred's mother, was a hairdresser. Alfred had not yet become an entertainer, and hadn't yet changed his surname to LaRue."
May 13, 1957 California marriage license of 19 year old Ronald Alfred Wilson, AKA Ronald Alfred Larue, to 19 year old Marleen Beth McPherson. This is the first marriage for both. Ron's parents were Alfred 'Lash' La Rue (born Louisiana) and Wilda J. Cruthers (born Montana): https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L93W-XPR4?mode=g&i=2784&wc=96PJ-K66%3A147738401%3Fcc%3D1804002&cc=1804002
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| 4. There's many records and newspaper accounts of father Charles, mother Louise and daughter Leora ... as well as Lash. Early family ties were in Missouri, Ohio, and Michigan. But by the late 1920s, most of the family members were in California. |
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Summary:
Searching old records is difficult because of missing data as well as spelling variations and issues with birth dates and birth locations. Lash's father Charles left a confusing trail:
Charles Wilson John / Johns was born December 17, 1885, and his birth location is either Ohio or at sea. Circa early 1900s - and before he married Lash's mother - Charles Wilson John / Johns dropped the Johns last name and became plain ol' Charles A. Wilson. My research indicates that he was married four times - marriage number two was to Sarah Louise Busselle, the mother of Lash. By the 1930s, he and fourth wife Dollie Ellis Wilson were in Chicago, and Charles had his own business. Charles and Dollie moved back to Michigan sometime in the 1950s. He passed away in 1957 and Dollie passed in 1967.
Clermont County, Ohio birth register (not the birth certificate) for Charles Wilson John, born December 17, 1885 in Clermont, Ohio to Ezra John and Linda Troy. Their home is Locust Corner, Ohio, an unincorporated community in Pierce Township, Clermont County, Ohio: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X6F5-GXV
January 16, 1920 census summary and census takers worksheet - St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan: 5 year old female Leora Wilson and 3 9/12 year old male Rur [sic] Wilson were listed as "inmates" at the Michigan Childrens Home in St. Joseph. Both were born in Michigan; their father's birth location was unknown; their mother was born in Canada. Assuming that 3 9/12 was his real age, his birth year would be 1916: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MZSD-S1S
April 2, 1920 issue of the Watervliet (Michigan) Record newspaper: "Mr. and Mrs. Scott Busselle arrived from Dayton, Ohio ... They are enroute to Los Angeles, California. Mr. and Mrs. Busselle are spending the week visiting friends in Watervliet and vicinity."
"We went to see Scott Busselle and family. What was our suprise to learn that our dear old friend, Louise Wilson, was in Los Angeles. We were invited to a Halloween party at Scott's and Louise's sister's home. The entire Busselle and Tewell family are here so there were 12 people at the party whom we had known."
1930 census summary and census takers worksheet for Leora Wilson, about 15 years old, born in Michigan, and her mother was born in Canada. Leora is a roomer living with the George and Selma Dorner family in Long Beach, California: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCJP-ZTK
1930 census summary and census takers worksheet for Virginia who has re-married. 28 year old Menard Harp (born Michigan; occupation "Fireman"), 30 year old wife Virginia (born Iowa), a son and stepson were living in Los Angeles: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XC89-TZ9 Louise's brother Scott Busselle, his wife and son were in Long Beach, California at the time of the 1930 and 1940 census:
1930 census summary and census takers worksheet for 36 year old Scot [sic] W. Busselle (born Wisconsin), 36 year old wife Harriet B. (born Kansas), and 7 year old son Scot W. (born California). They own their home at 5917 Cerritos Avenue, Long Beach, California. His occupation was "Head-light Adjuster - Automobile", and he was a World War I veteran: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCJP-YPG As noted in the 1928 newspaper article above, the three Busselle siblings had moved to California. Also re-locating to California were Louise's mother and step-father, Jennie Clark Doggett Tewell (1876 - 1940) and C. L. Tewell (1873 - 1944):
1940 census for the widowed C. L. Tewell (about 66 years old; born Kentucky) who was renting in Downey Township, Los Angeles County, California: https://familysearch.org/search/record/results?count=75&query=%2Bsurname%3Atewell&collection_id=2000219&residence_place1=10%2CCalifornia By the time of the 1930 census, Lash's father Charles Wilson Johns / Charles Wilson was in Chicago and was re-married to a woman named Dolly / Dollie:
1930 census summary and census takers worksheet - 42 year old Charles Wilson (born United States) and his 42 year old wife Dolly (born Tennessee) were renting at 5809 Hermitage Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. His occupation was "Erector - Steel Goods", and he was a World War I veteran: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XSL2-VH5
Lash's sister Leora re-married - August 3, 1941 marriage license in Duval, Florida for 25 year old Carl E. Gill (born Iowa) to 27 year old Lee Hughlett (born July 14, 1914 in Watervliet, Michigan). His address was the Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida and she was divorced and lived in St. Augustine, Florida: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:9392-MJ9C-LV?mode=g&i=326&wc=32KP-YWL%3A145392901%3Fcc%3D1803936&cc=1803936
"Dark and evil days have come to a former resident of Watervliet, one Lash Rarue [sic]. If that name doesn't ring a bell to jog your memory, perhaps someone will remember Reu Alfred Wilson. Clinton McNeal of Florida sent a clipping from the Tampa Tribune concerning him and his fallen fortunes. It seems that Reu, alias Lash, was born here ..." The article continues with more on Lash being down on his luck.
"More news of Reu Wilson from the Charles Wigents vacationing in Florida. Reu, better known as Lash LaRue, lived in the Martin house across from the Wigent farm on Red Arrow highway, just this side of the Midway Baptist Church, when he was a little boy and Mr. Wigent remembers him well.
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| 5. Wasn't Lash born in Gretna, Louisiana? Nope! What about Lash playing guitar and singing at the Dew Drop Inn in New Orleans? Doubtful! |
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Most sources have Lash's birth location as Gretna, Louisiana and death notices on Lash mention Gretna (along with other misinformation). Am unsure when and how that came about. Excerpt from the May 31, 1996 death notice on Lash from the New Orleans Times Picayune newspaper:
"... known as Alfred LaRue, the son of Charles and Sarah Louise LaRue of Gretna. After his father was killed in World War I, his mother moved the 10-year-old boy and an older sister to Ohio, then to California, where he began working in pictures."
In the 1980s, Jerry Whittington was working with Sunset Carson on a possible TV series featuring Sunset interviewing many B western performers. Sunset chatted with Lash during the filming of ALIEN OUTLAW (1985). In the video, Lash claimed that he was born in Gretna, Louisiana; his mother was a widow; and he talked about cigarettes and smoking - and said he has 3 sons and 2 daughters and none were smokers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPk4gx0MCbE
Charles Larue with a wife named Sarah or Louise; residing somewhere in Louisiana in the 1900, 1910 and 1920 census; and with a son named Al, Alfred, Reu, Rue, etc. born circa 1910-1920.
And I found nothing.
"Lash Larue" and "Dew Drop" during the years 1950 - 1990.
And nothing was found based on those search combinations.
Some Lash biographies (such as Wikipedia) have our western movie hero as a guitar playing wizard. That reference is due to drummer Earl Palmer, who played on 1950s recordings in New Orleans. In his autobiography titled Backbeat: Earl Palmer's Story by Tony Scherman, there's mention of Lash performing at the Dew Drop Inn in New Orleans:
"Lots of white people wanted to come to the Dew Drop. Most were turned away, but they let a few in. Every time the cowboy actor Lash La Rue came in town, he came by. He played a hell of a guitar and was a regular guy." However, there's a different take about Lash in an interview with Red Tyler and Earl Palmer - quote from that:
"I remember a time the cowboy singer and guitar player Lash LaRue came in here one time and I don't know why they didn't bust him because maybe they didn't know whether he was black or white, but they sure should have seen them boots. No blacks around here were wearing boots and he was bombed out of his bird, man. I mean he sat over at the bar and listened to the music all night long and wanted to play his guitar and we wouldn't let him."
Regardless of those claims, Lash being a singer and musician doesn't ring true. He attended many nostalgia / film conventions in the 1970s and 1980s so I sent off e-mails to folks who coordinated or attended those conventions. Heard back from Ray Nielson, Tommy Hildreth, Minard Coons, Bill Sasser, several others. In summary - none recalled Lash singing ... or playing a guitar ... or playing any musical instrument. Couple comments in their e-mails: "I saw his stage show 2 or 3 times and he never sang or attempted to play any instrument." and "I saw Lash at least 10 plus times at festivals, gatherings, etc. He always was quick with a poem but I never saw him play any musical instruments or sing."
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5B. Gretna, Louisiana, Part II
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Sevilla Finley was a reporter for the New Orleans Times-Picayune newspaper. She began a friendship with Lash LaRue in the 1980s when she wrote several articles on him for the paper. Sevilla and ye Old Corral webmeister connected in early 2019 and I asked for her remembrances of Lash ... and his ties to Gretna, Louisiana. Sevilla writes:
"It was in the 1950s, and I was a young girl of 12 or so, when I attended Lash's stage appearance at the Tower Theater on Huey P. Long Ave. in Gretna. The theater was filled with Gretna youth and Lash advertised that he was one of us - a Gretna native son. Wow - a cowboy movie star from our home town! He entered the theater from the back thru the middle isle dressed all in black leading his white horse and cracking a long bull whip. His old sidekick cowboy joined him on the stage. I was stunned, thunder-struck, as they say; it was love at first sight. I had never witnessed anyone so handsome. His image became indelible in my memory.
 (Courtesy of Sevilla Finley) Above - Sevilla Finley and Lash ... and Lash's Caddy convertible in the background. Below - Lash and his Cadillac convertible with his "Lash LaRue" signature on the drivers door.  (Courtesy of Sevilla Finley) |
| 6. Wasn't Lash born and/or raised in Ohio? Nope! But he spent time in Ohio with the family of mother Louise after her divorce. |
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Circa 2000, I was contacted by a friend of Lash who said that Lash was raised with a family in Ohio (in the 1920s) after his parents split. He mentioned that Lash's real name was Rhew Alfred Wilson and he had a sister named Lee.
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| 7. Lash arrives in Hollywood circa 1944 ... and a few more tidbits. | |
 (From Old Corral collection) | |
 Pressbook biography from SONG OF OLD WYOMING (PRC, 1945) ... and is mostly fiction. | Above is LaRue doing an early movie role in the thirteen episode serial THE MASTER KEY (Universal, 1945) which was released in April, 1945. From left to right are Milburn Stone (who later portrayed 'Doc' in TV's GUNSMOKE), LaRue, and Dennis Moore. In this, Lash is billed as Alfred La Rue and plays "Migsy", the street smart leader of a group of teenagers helping Stone, Moore and heroine Jan Wiley outwit Addison Richards.
The "Hollywood - The news roundup" piece in the November 20, 1944 issue of Film Daily has tidbits on various people including Al: "... "U" has handed a termer to Alfred LaRue ..." (meaning Universal has given LaRue a term player contract). That Universal contract was brief, and Al's next Film Daily mention is an August 22, 1945 review of SONG OF OLD WYOMING (PRC, 1945). He appeared in a few films at Universal. In addition to THE MASTER KEY cliffhanger, he had a unbilled role in the Deanna Durbin LADY ON A TRAIN (Universal, 1945) which was released in August, 1945. By then, he was gone from Universal and playing the "Cheyenne Kid" in the Eddie Dean Cinecolor SONG OF OLD WYOMING (PRC, 1945). Left is an Al LaRue biography from the pressbook for SONG OF OLD WYOMING (PRC, 1945) and is more hype than truth. Note the mention of him doing radio, writing and producing amateur plays, and his father was a real estate broker. Great piece of fiction from some creative writer. He gets more coverage (as Lash LaRue) in 1946 Film Daily issues as the star of a new eight film series at Producers Releasing Corporation (PRC) with Al 'Fuzzy' St. John. Rick Albright did some detective work and found A. Larue, age 20, in the 1937 class roster for Pasadena Junior College. No gender given, but the age works for Lash.
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| 8. How many times was Lash married? Unsure of the real number, but there's magazine, online references, and other info sources on many marriages / divorces. |
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 (Courtesy of Bill Sasser) Above - Lash was re-united with ex-wife Reno Browne / Reno Blair at the 1987 Charlotte Film Fest. Her real name was Josephine Ruth Clarke and she was suffering from cancer that would claim her life in 1991. She was a great rider and made a batch of films for Monogram Pictures in the 1940s with Johnny Mack Brown, Whip Wilson, and Jimmy Wakely. On January 10, 1962, she married Lash LaRue. They resided in Reno, Nevada and ran the Clarke family owned El Ruth Court motel which they re-named to "Lash LaRue's Lodge". November, 1963 newspaper want ad below.
 January 9, 1963 article in the Reno Gazette-Journal about Lash, actress wife Reno Blair / Reno Browne, and their "Lash LaRue's Lodge" in Reno: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93369174/reno-gazette-journal/ Find A Grave website notes that Josephine Ruth 'Reno Browne' Clarke (1924 - 1991) and her parents are interred at Mountain View Cemetery, Reno, Nevada: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/131182414 |
| 8B. Lash claimed he had three sons and two daughters. And he did NOT teach Harrison Ford how to use a bullwhip for the Indiana Jones movies. |
In interviews, newspaper reports, etc., Lash claimed he was the father of five children, 3 sons and 2 daughters:
Doing the math from the above, it appears Lash's five children were sons Ronald, Paddy/Pat, and Kim, daughter Vicky/Vicki ... and an unidentified daughter.
"I can't understand why they didn't contact me. Harrison Ford and me cracking those bullwhips - that would have been a great combination." Here's that 1992 interview:
July 16, 1992 Charlotte, North Carolina Observer has a Lash LaRue interview. He talks about his next-to-last wife Frances. He's the father of 3 sons and 2 daughters. And he did NOT teach Harrison Ford how to use a bullwhip for the Indiana Jones movies:
2019 death announcement for stuntman Anthony 'Bronco' McLoughlin. Quote from the article: "As part of his work in 1984 sequel Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, he taught Harrison Ford how to use his iconic bullwhip properly.": https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/stunt-legend-taught-harrison-ford-use-bullwhip-indiana-jones-dies-80-120827834.html |
| 9. Lash's death, cremation, death certificate, and amended death certificate. |
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78 year old Alfred Lash LaRue was born June 14, 1917 in Michigan to Charles A. Wilson (birth location unknown) and Sara Louise Busselle (born Michigan). His residence was 10050 Toluca Lake Avenue, Toluca Lake, Los Angeles County, California; he was married; a self employed actor; and informant was wife Marion LaRue who resided with him at that Toluca Lake address. Lash passed away May 21, 1996 at St. Joseph Medical Center, Burbank, California. Immediate cause of death was shock due to Ischemic Cardio Myopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, and Arteriosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease. His other medical conditions included Severe COPD and Renal Failure. Also listed is a March 1, 1996 coronary artery bypass operation. Funeral director was Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills.
Marion was planning a funeral service. But there was a horrendous error by Forest Lawn and Lash was cremated early, prior to her viewing his body and snipping a lock of his hair as a remembrance. A lawyer for Forest Lawn confirmed their mistake. No funeral service was held ... Marion had questions about Lash's cremains ... and she filed a lawsuit.
Marion could not be convinced the cremains were really her husband. And about six years after his death, there was an amended (corrected) death certificate. Dated February 22, 2002, the change was to Box 40. Place of Final Disposition of Lash's cremains:
If you'd like copies of the two death certificates, send an e-mail to ye Old Corral webmeister.
 (Courtesy of Bill Sasser) Lash's wife Marion Carney Callahan was married several times. Circa 1983, she married B western bad guy Terry Frost and they attended several western film festivals. Above are Marion, an unidentified young man, and Terry Frost at the 1991 Charlotte Festival. Marion and Terry resided at that Toluca Lake, California address. Terry passed away in 1993 and Marion tied the knot again ... with Lash LaRue. Marion Carney passed away in 2012: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/idahostatesman/name/marion-carney-obituary?pid=156027921 |
| 10. Lash's World War II draft registration, his birth certificate ... and a 1966 interview in which Lash confirmed he was born Reu Alfred Wilson on June 15, 1917 in Watervliet, Michigan. |
| In June, 2019, I sent for Lash's Michigan birth certificate, and below is a crop from the full page document. If you'd like the complete birth certificate, shoot ye Old Corral webmeister an e-mail.
"The former cowboy star admits his real name is Reu Alfred Wilson. He also admits to being 48 years old. According to Larue, publicity has always had it that he was born in Gretna, La. 'But I wasn't, I was born in Watervliet, Mich., he said.' " Link to that January 11, 1966 Tampa, Florida Tribune newspaper interview of Lash: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86350463/the-tampa-tribune/ |
| 11. Lash on tour ... lots of traveling and public appearances in the U. S. and Canada. |
| Lash began making public appearances in the mid 1940s to publicize his series at PRC. After his starring westerns ended, he was a busy guy performing at circuses, fairs, theaters, rodeos, etc. In some cases, he was associated with Hennies/ACA Show, Royal American Shows, Olson Shows, other touring organizations, and his act was integrated into their show schedules. He also did circuses - for example, he was with Rogers Bros. Circus as well as Dale's Trained Wild Animal Circus in 1949.
Links to a few Lash appearances:
1948 - Lash on tour stops in Shreveport, Louisiana and Jackson, Mississippi and wife Mary Alice Wilkinson is working in the act: 1949 - Lash on a tour stop with the Dales Circus in West Virginia: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95639135/lash-la-rue-on-tour-with-the-dales/ 1950 - newspaper ads for Lash and his Great Western Show at a theater and clothing store in Greenville, Mississippi: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95600837/1950-ads-for-lash-larue-and-his-great/
1956 - Lash, Smiley Burnette, others appeared at an auto show in Charlotte, North Carolina: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95597406/the-charlotte-news/ 1958 - Lash and Al 'Fuzzy' St. John were at the Iowa State Fair. In their off hours, they visited and entertained children at the Raymond Blank Memorial Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95596855/des-moines-tribune/ 1958 - Lash and Al 'Fuzzy' St. John were with the Olson Show at the South Alabama Fair: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95596024/photo-of-lash-larue-and-al-fuzzy-st/
 1957 trade ad for Lash promoting his Great Western Show for 1958. Note the blurb about Lash being the top grossing act in 1957 for the Royal American Shows. |
| 12. Lash's later years. Lots of turmoil, scraps, run ins with the law. And his time as an evangelist. |
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In 1956, Lash was performing at the Midsouth Centennial Fair in Memphis, Tennessee and was arrested for buying and receiving stolen property (sewing machines, calculator). Arrested as material witnesses were Lash's troupe members Carla Gilbert and Al 'Fuzzy' St. John. At his trial in early 1957, Lash was found not guilty: |
| 13. Video interviews of Lash. Some of his westerns and "Lash of the West" TV shows are available to download or view online. And there's clips / trailers for a couple of Lash's forgettable movie roles. |
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YouTube has the trailer for PLEASE DON'T TOUCH ME (1959?) with Lash as psychiatrist "Dr. Warren": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtlCGMkA7xw
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Although some of the data is incomplete or inaccurate, the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) has information on Lash LaRue: