The Lone Ranger (1956)

From my favorite movies..

All that we are seeing on the screen is happening with real people, real action sequences in the background, forcing the eye to watch as if we were there.

Amazing worth wacthing. So good. Biased but well made with many good points.

It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

Turner Classic Movies was showing this and I decided to DVR it, I'm really happy I did. You can probably catch it there again since they repeat their showings throughout the year. So what do I know about the Lone Ranger? Well, I actually didn't know much about him until I watched this film, lol. My background with him is they would play the 1950's TV show after school in repeats in the 1970's at least for awhile they did, along with the Adventures of Superman, and Lassie, those were three shows I grew up with as a pre teen (maybe even younger) funny how that is what was on the TV for kids in liberal New York City in the 1970's, I doubt seriously that those three shows are on NYC TV today for kids. I would also watch the low budget animated Lone Ranger from the 1960's, although it was made cheaply I remember the stories as being exciting to watch. Anyway I was a big fan of the Lone Ranger and his message of justice and racial tolerance definitely had an impact on my life, but he had been out of my life for at least 30 years until last night when I watched this film on TCM. Why this film was not shown on TV is anyone's guess since they showed the TV show for so long, but whatever the reason, bottom line, if you are a Lone Ranger fan this is the movie to see. If you are looking for an introduction, of all the LR material I have watched this would be the best introduction I can think of. Really high quality and a typically good storyline as all of the Lone Ranger material is. This is great entertainment for kids but it's also interesting enough for adults. I like also that there is death and injustice and prejudice, these are all adult themes that most kids shows lack, that is what sets the Lone Ranger apart from other kids shows of the past and today. Why this has a rating under 7 is a sin, it deserves at least an average of 8. I suspect some vote it a 1 because of it's wholesome messages of good vs evil, rich injustice vs poor etc etc and just because people are hateful trolls and want to bad mouth good things from the past. With the new Johnny Depp film coming out, watch this one first as a primer to see how the character was known for 50 years and see if they distorted it or added to it's legacy with the reboot. 10 of 10.

The Lone Ranger is simply the Coolest Western Hero ever. A Mythological Figure of Demigod status. He has sculpted Good Looks framed in a Stunning yet Simplistic Outfit (no spangles or fringes here). He Speaks in Mellifluous Tones that Demand Attention and Respect. He has Style Without Pretensions, smoothly Spinning his Gun back in the holster and Gliding onto his Beloved Silver whether at a Standstill or a Gallop. Along with his Faithful Companion Tonto, who Exudes excessive amounts of Supreme Stature in his own right, the Ranger must Rescue a Kidnapped little Girl, Stop an all out Indian Uprising, and Battle numerous amounts of Injustice, Greed, and Bigotry. It's all done with Wit, Skill, and a Fearful Fighting Style Unique in the Untamed West.This Movie version of the Extremely Popular TV-Entertainment is a well-Produced, Colorful, well-Written, well-Done Addition that will Please Western Fans of All Ages. Not just the Kids.

Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels reprise their television roles in this western classic that has the Lone Ranger and Tonto defusing a war between ranchers and Indians. A a greedy cattle baron wants to seize a silver-rich mountain on an Indian reservation and devises plans to have the Indians relocated or exterminated to achieve his ends. The picture was filmed in beautiful color with excellent sound, and has a solid cast and a very good music score, including the signature William Tell Overture. There are several fine action scenes, daring rescues and the familiar disguises used by the Masked Man to close in on the killer of a young cowboy. The grand mountain vistas of southern Utah provide the backdrop for this film and the Ranger and Tonto never looked better as they ride the trail for justice and bring peace to a young territory hoping for statehood. Moore and Silverheels get great support from Lyle Bettger as the scheming rancher, Robert Wilke, John Pickard, Michael Ansara, Frank de Kova and Perry Lopez.

Although its script is strictly utilitarian and a bit dull at times, this movie is a worthy companion to the beloved TV series, with Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels in their most familiar roles. This time the virtuous duo is out to stop a war from starting between ranchers and Indians. There are a couple good action sequences and some admirable horsemanship to help out the rather formulaic script.If that really is Moore playing the Ranger in disguise as an old prospector, then it's a treat to see him in something other than his one-note performance as the masked man. Also, it sure looked to me like, contrary to legend, the Lone Ranger shot and killed a man! Rest assured, it was necessary to keep from being killed himself. And if you're a fan of Bill Cosby's classic comedy routines, you'll love it when Tonto goes into town to get information and is set upon by the bad guys.