Return of the Lone Ranger

Somebody sent me a publicity picture from an upcoming Lone Ranger movie – with Johnny Depp playing Tonto. I read that the movie is slated for release in 2013. Johnny Depp?

When I was a tad the Lone Ranger was all the fad, as Fess Parker’s Davy Crockett became later. Some of us will remember Saturday afternoon at the Rialto theater, a 15-episode Lone Ranger serial. “Hi-Yo Silver!”

The radio version ran for about ten years or so, and certainly helped to popularize the Texas Rangers throughout the US. The Lone Ranger embodied all that was good about the West and the Rangers. Although his motto clearly wasn’t “Shoot first and ask questions later.”

The Lone Ranger program didn’t hurt in Texas, either, with Ma Ferguson in the governor’s chair. Ma fired all the old Rangers and then replaced them with her own choices (see Mike Cox, Time of the Rangers. Volume II. 2009. Forge). A sad episode. The widespread popularity of the radio program did a lot for the image of the Texas Rangers.

On radio, the part of the Lone Ranger was portrayed by a series of deep-voiced actors. I particularly remember Brace Beemer playing that part. I had an entomology professor at Kansas, Ray Beamer, who was a big fan. The radio program came on at five. Ray’s wife Lucy would pick him up on campus with the car radio turned on. She’d drive home and go inside and get the Lone Ranger on the kitchen radio. Then, Ray would dash inside during a commercial. Ray didn’t miss a thing.

Jay Silverheels was the Tonto we all remember from the TV series. He was a Canadian Mohawk and skilled at Lacrosse (which gave him the name “Silverheels). A stunt man and later an actor, Silverheels played bit parts in a range of western movies such as True Grit and The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing. With Clayton Moore playing the part of the Lone Ranger, they graced many a TV set in the 1950s. A deep friendship developed between the two.

Thanks, Bob G., for resurrecting a happy childhood memory. The Lone Ranger rides again!

Who was that masked man?

Dac Crossley
March 13, 2012

“Facts and truth really don’t have much to do with each other.” – William Faulkner.

Comments

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[Glenda York]

I too loved the Lone Ranger. I have a copy of The Lone Ranger Creed above my desk even now..."I believe that to have a friend, a man must be one"...For me, Clayton Moore will always be The Lone Ranger and Jay Silverheels Tonto. It will be interesting to see this latest interpretation on the big screen.

[Bill Stroud]

Great post, Dac! I fondly remember the radio days and especially "Hi-ho Silver! Away!"

[Pat Shields]

"Return with us now, to those thrilling days of yesteryear, the Lone Ranger Rides Again"!... brought to you by Marita Bread, on WRFC AM every M W F at 5:30. Jay Silver heels was the fastest draw in Hollywood for years. Every newscaster should have a voice like Brace Beemer.

Thanks

[Troy D. Smith]

I posted a review at the Western Fictioneers site last year of the Lone Ranger comic book: http://westernfictioneers.blogspot.com/2011/01/not-your-fathers-lone-ranger.html

[Chris]

That hi-o-silver I sent back was an immediate reaction to your email.

[Marja McGraw]

Your blogs do bring back good memories. I had a child's crush on the Lone Ranger and couldn't wait for the show to come on TV.

It looks like you opened a can of worms about Johnny Depp. I'll wait and see. :)

[Eileen Obser]

Thanks for the detailed background on The Lone Ranger and Tonto. I was a big fan. No matter who plays the parts in the new movie, it won't be the same for us old-time fans. As for Johhnny Depp, that actor is so versatile, he can play anyone. He'll probably be amazing, so let's wait and see.

[Caroline Clemmons]

I loved the Lone Ranger. I've heard that a sophisticated person is one who can hear "The 1812 Overture" and not think of the Lone Ranger. ;-) Is there anyone who fits that description?

[Janice Pulliam]

Give Johnny Depp a chance, at least, before you blast him.

[Mike Draney]

I grew up in the 1970's so I missed the Lone Ranger altogether 8-(
My cowboy "hero" has always been Clint Eastwood. But, lately I've been trying to catch up on radio serials broadcast by our excellent Public Radio Station...I like "Have Gun, Will Travel", "Challenge of the Yukon" (ok, not really a cowboy, but basically), and, of course...Hi Yo Silver, it's the Lone Ranger! The pictures in my head are AWESOME.

[Clark Lohr]

Hey now, Johnny Depp IS part Native American and he can do a 21st Century Tonto bigtime, in my opinion. You MUST know that joke about where the Lone Ranger and Tonto are surrounded by a million screaming Indians and the Lone Ranger says, "Looks like we're done for, Tonto" and Tonto says, "Whaddaya mean "we," white man?"

[Jean Henry Mead]

I loved the Lone Ranger as a chid, especially Jay Silverheels, who played Tonto. But, Johnny Depp? I don't think so.

[Velda Brotherton]

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In return, would you host me on your blog?
These exchanges are beneficial to both, and are fun to do as well. Let me know. Thanks.

[Patricia Gligor]

I grew up in the age of television. Although I loved watching shows like "The Lone Ranger" on TV, I've often felt as if I missed out on something really special: the old radio shows.
My aunt used to tell me, with great enthusiasm, all about the mystery shows on the radio. I can almost see her as a teenager, sitting on the floor in front of the radio, leaning forward to hear each word the announcer spoke. Talk about using your imagination!

[Shirley White]

Nice memory jog....and a bit extra. I did not know that about Ma Ferguson, although she was from my town. 'Course, I was just a kid.