Near the end of his famous TV show of the 1950s, "The Lone Ranger," Clayton Moore made this feature film with costar Jay Silverheels as "Tonto." The main plot revolves around Lyle Bettger, who has plans of running the Indians off their land, so he can claim it and the silver mountain they revere. Lyle of course has his field hands who do his dirty work, which includes posing as Indians and causing trouble around in their name, so as to get the town folk on his side and against them. In turn, they will come to insist on the Indians leaving. Robert Wilke is memorable as the meanest guy under Bettger's pay, who looks like he enjoys every minute of it. What Bettger and Wilke don't plan on is the presence of "The Lone Ranger," who has gotten a bandit/outlaw reputation with the town folk, even though he seems to only help those in peril and is always on the right side of the law. Enough of the plot, the star of the film is Clayton Moore as the bigger-than-life Lone Ranger. Throughout the film we find out how he became The Lone Ranger. Some may think this film, his and Silverheels' performances and his duds of a blue skin-tight suit and black mask are all kind of corny and/or campy. But all of it is the heart of the film, which makes us feel like we the viewer are The Lone Ranger. (He wears his disguise until injustice has come to an end and there is no further need for his alter-ego.) And, this film really delivers the goods. It contains the realistic dangers of the people's lives in jeopardy (who know too much and have to be dealt with,) while embracing the outrageousness of this mysterious ranger and his sidekick. It entertains without being too silly or too violent. Little boys today and of future generations would love it still. It is reported that Clayton Moore loved this chance to be The Lone Ranger, because, as a boy, he dreamed of being a cowboy or a policeman. With this role, he was able to be both. The Johnny Depp remake, which I have no desire to see, can't touch this nostalgic and captivating (with its iconic and timeless trademark scene thrown in at the end) bigger-than-life film.

The Masked Man and his faithful Indian companion Tonto struggle to thwart a greedy cattle baron from igniting a full-scale war with Native Americans on a nearby reservation. Compared to the Spartan production values on the ABC-TV series, "The Lone Ranger" movie looks like a million-dollar spectacle. Lensed in vibrant Warnercolor with a sturdy cast, featuring villainous Lyle Bettger and Robert Wilkie, Jr., this fast-moving, 80-minute horse opera never wears out its welcome. The Lone Ranger investigates trumped-up claims that the Indians have been straying off the reservation and committing havoc. The man arousing all the ill-will toward the Indians is the same dastard that hungers their land. As it turns out, the last surprise in this western is the revelation about the mineral rich ground on which the reservation lies. "The Glass Key" director Stuart Heisler maintains a sense of urgency throughout this tightly knit western and scenarist Herb Meadow provides a good line of dialogue occasionally. Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels reprised their roles, and they have no trouble stirring up action. When you think about it, westerns during the post-war years constituted pictures about race-relations. Although the dastardly Reece Kilgore sets things in motion for a showdown, the outcome isn't what he expected. The Lone Ranger swaps blows with a potential Indian chieftain and gets clipped by a bullet to the head. Nevertheless, our hero re-emerges and resolved to capture the felons. This well-made western is worth watching at least once.

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.