The Lone Ranger

No matter how many people have played the part, Clayton Moore (pictured above) will always be The Lone Ranger to me. And, whenever I hear The William Tell Overture, I expect it to be followed by the show's opening dialogue.

Jay Silverheels played the part of Tonto ("trusted scout"), and his horse was named Scout. The Lone Ranger's horse was a white stallion named Silver. The two men and their steeds became a household legend. And we, the fans, believed that there were true heroes among us, who would fight injustices and wrongdoings.

We could sure use some of those heroes today . . .

Several others played the part of the Lone Ranger in its radio days (1933-1955).
These included Jack Deeds, Earle Graser and Brace Beemer (Beemer took over the TV role for a short time in 1950.)

"No other old time radio western has influenced American culture like the Lone Ranger. From the first broadcast in 1933, to the first movie serial in 1938, to the television program in 1949 the Lone Ranger has been a part of the myths created about the Western United States. The Lone Ranger has created a great part of the mystique of the Wild West with his pursuit of justice on his white horse, Silver and his trademark silver bullets.
The Lone Ranger began as a humble radio show and has become a legend of American popular culture."
Written by Robert Wheadon
Copyright 2002 by PageWise, Inc

The Lone Ranger was created by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker, who were also responsible for The Green Hornet, and there was an unusual link between the two programs. John Reid's nephew Dan was supposed to be the father of Britt Reid, who became the avenger of crime in another era as The Green Hornet.

The Lone Ranger began as a local radio show in 1933, and quickly spread to a nation-wide hookup (it was, in fact, the cornerstone of the then new Mutual Radio Network). In 1949 it was brought to TV in a series of half-hour films, made in Hollywood especially for the new medium.

"A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty 'Hi Yo Silver!' With his faithful Indian companion Tonto, the daring and resourceful masked rider of the plains, led the fight for law and order in the early west. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. The Lone Ranger rides again!"

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