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.
But i want to tell that this daccrossley.typepad.com is extremely helpful, Thanks for taking your time to write this.
Posted by: forex system | February 10, 2013 at 07:51 PM
I need a computer program that will automatically start another program and not let that program close for a work computer. So basically, when the computer starts up, this program I am looking for will start a work-related program and force it to stay open, so that the only use of that computer would be to use the work program. Thank you!.
Posted by: test enanthate buy | January 19, 2013 at 12:07 PM
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.
Posted by: Glenda York | March 19, 2012 at 11:15 AM
Great post, Dac! I fondly remember the radio days and especially "Hi-ho Silver! Away!"
Posted by: Bill Stroud | March 14, 2012 at 06:43 PM
"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
Posted by: Pat Shields | March 14, 2012 at 09:16 AM
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
Posted by: Troy D. Smith | March 13, 2012 at 05:14 PM
That hi-o-silver I sent back was an immediate reaction to your email.
Posted by: Chris | March 13, 2012 at 04:38 PM
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. :)
Posted by: Marja McGraw | March 13, 2012 at 04:03 PM
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.
Posted by: Eileen Obser | March 13, 2012 at 03:21 PM
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?
Posted by: Caroline Clemmons | March 13, 2012 at 01:54 PM
Give Johnny Depp a chance, at least, before you blast him.
Posted by: Janice Pulliam | March 13, 2012 at 01:33 PM
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.
Posted by: Mike Draney | March 13, 2012 at 12:40 PM
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?"
Posted by: Clark Lohr | March 13, 2012 at 12:35 PM
I loved the Lone Ranger as a chid, especially Jay Silverheels, who played Tonto. But, Johnny Depp? I don't think so.
Posted by: Jean Henry Mead | March 13, 2012 at 12:31 PM
Dac, I so enjoy your blogs. I have a proposal. I'd like to host you on my blog, if you'd like to write something or answer some interview questions.
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.
Posted by: Velda Brotherton | March 13, 2012 at 12:15 PM
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!
Posted by: Patricia Gligor | March 13, 2012 at 12:10 PM
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.
Posted by: Shirley White | March 13, 2012 at 11:22 AM