The Lone Ranger
Beginning as a radio show in 1933, with a rousing theme song
(Rossini’s William Tell Overture) and a suspenseful
cliff-hanger style that thrilled its weekly audience, The Lone
Ranger featured a hero who refused to use his famous silver
bullets for anything other than wounding.
Created by George W. Trendle (who kept a notoriously tight
watch on the production) the show made the transition to
television 16 years later. It continued in this medium until the
late 1950's, becoming the longest-running Western series in
radio/television history (Gunsmoke and Bonanza ran
much longer on television, but The Lone Ranger edges them
out when radio is factored in).
'The Lone Ranger' was a former Texas Ranger and the sole
survivor of an ambush by Butch Cavendish’s Hole in the Wall
gang. Left for dead, the ranger was rescued by Tonto, a Native
American who nursed him back to health.
While aiding the wounded lawman, Tonto recognised a medallion
around the ranger’s neck. It was the same one he had given to a
boy who had saved him several years ago, when an enemy tribe
burned his camp and killed his family.
And thus began one of the most loyal partnerships in television
history. As the ranger returned to health, he vowed "to
devote my life to ridding the West of outlaws,” and Tonto vowed
to do it along with him.
Protecting his identity with a mask made from the vest of his
dead brother (who had led the fated ambush) our hero began what
would be years of successful crusades against evil.
Whisked back to the Wild West, the audience would watch as
either the Lone Ranger, on his loyal steed Silver, or Tonto, on
Scout, would venture into town to eavesdrop on the enemy.
 Tonto
would feign ignorance, while the Ranger would use one of his
several disguises, from the Oldtimer to “Professor” Horatio
Tucker, a medicine peddler.
In later episodes, Dan Reid, the Ranger’s nephew, would ride
with his uncle on his own horse, Victor. (Incidentally, Dan Reid's
grandson, Britt, would achieve his own fame as the Green Hornet.)
At least once each season, the “original” episode
explaining the origins of the character was repeated, allowing
newer audiences to catch on quickly and emphasising the legend as
the heartbeat of the show.
Though Brace Beemer had been the heroic voice of the radio
ranger, Clayton Moore - a former stunt pilot who had moved to
Hollywood in the late 1930's - was brought in for the transition
to television.
In 1952, however, something happened to the Lone Ranger. His
voice was not as deep, and his mannerisms were somehow different .
. .
Despite George Trendle’s assumption that viewers would not
notice, they knew at once that the man behind the mask was no
longer Mr. Moore. John Hart took over in 1951 for two seasons,
when - as speculation has it - Moore asked for a raise and Trendle
decided to replace him rather than meet his demands.
But audiences missed the powerful voice, build, and charisma of
Moore, and he was asked to return in 1954. With Moore back in
place, the show continued until 1957.
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