Der Held mit der Maske

Although beautifully shot, this United Artists feature is not quite as good as the first Lone Ranger big screen color outing of 1956 by Warner Brothers. But neither is it average, for the cinematic effort does go boldly where most westerns of the time dared not. Remarkably, this 1958 film takes on racial bigotry in a manner that was quite daring for a family western of this period. In point of fact, the writers of this feature should be applauded for going a step farther and making racial "passing" an integral part of an otherwise ordinary plot. How many dramatically significant family films of the time can one name that would dare to have dealt with such an emotionally explosive premise?

It should also be noted, Jay Silverheels for the first time, has a much greater speaking role and acting function than normally allowed for his character, Tonto. All in all, with solid acting from most of it's participants, this is not a bad western. On the whole, the film is thoroughly enjoyable, on several levels, for all members of the family.

This second full-length Lone Ranger feature doesn't measure up to the 1956 classic but is a fine film with enough rough and tumble action and moves along at a good clip. The Ranger looks into a series of mysterious murders which have a sinister pattern to them with peaceful Indians being the victims of a gang of hooded killers. There are more killings and violence usually associated with Lone Ranger adventures and the film has an undercurrent of racial insensitivity, the comments of which are sprinkled throughout the screenplay. The Ranger uses disguises as only he can to piece together clues and expose the outlaw band and bring them to justice. Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels star in a colorful presentation that shows the desert and cactus country of old Tucson to good advantage. The music score is good but the familiar William Tell Overture theme is nudged aside by vocals that are interesting but lack the flourish and beauty of the Ranger's traditional theme.

"The Lone Ranger and the Lost City of Gold" was the second of two features made in the 50s starring Clayton Moore as The Lone Ranger and Jay Silverheels as Tonto. Based on the long running TV series, this film was also produced in color by Jack Wrather. As in the previous entry, there is an excellent cast of veteran western performers.

The "lost city" of the title is an old Spanish city of gold hidden away on Indian tribal lands. There is a five piece amulet that when assembled, will show the location of the treasure. The holders of the various pieces begin to turn up murdered by a gang of hooded riders and its up to our heroes to save the day.

The baddies are led by Fran Henderson (Noreen Nash) whose chief henchman Ross Brady (Douglas Kennedy) does all of the dirty work. Finally, there is only one missing piece. The Lone Ranger disguises himself as a southern gentleman bounty hunter in order to gain Henderson's confidence. The old Chief (John Miljan) laments for his missing grandson who turns out to be the town doctor (Norman Frederic). Finally, The Lone Ranger and Tonto sort things out and deal with the villains.

In addition to those mentioned, Lisa Monteil appears as an Indian maiden, Ralph Moody as the Padre, Charles Watts as the corrupt sheriff and Lane Bradford and Bill Henry as Kennedy's henchmen.

Clayton Moore had been around since the late 30s, appearing in many "B" westerns and starring in several serials. By the time this film was made, he had become so identified with the Lone Ranger, that he never made another feature film. Jay Silverheels similarly came up through the "B" movie ranks and appeared in several Universal westerns in the 50s and the Glenn Ford western "Santee" as late as 1973.

A wounded Tonto standing alone to protect three innocent lives. A devious woman masterminding a deadly plot. Racial tension. Smart Indians.

These are things we rarely if ever saw in the TV series, but this movie adds them all into the mix. While this is most certainly a Lone Ranger movie, it mixes up the formula just enough that those who grew tired of the series would probably still enjoy it. Definitely recommended for any fan.

All new and a brand new thrills , the story of desperado hordes Kilgore's riders and the silver bullet that stopped the most savage Indian uprising ever to menace America's vast frontiers . The legend of the Lone Ranger is ¨the untold story of the man behind the mask and the legend behind the man¨ , it began on radio and made the transition to the small screen more than 50 years ago . This flick follows the adventures of the Ranger , his white stallion Silver and his American Indian pal Tonto, as they attempt to bring local criminals to justice. This cinematic adaptation deals with the Lone Ranger , here he comes , thundering up the West's deadliest treasure trail , blasting his way into the fabled city of gold . The Ranger accompanied by the Indian Tonto who rides with him, on Silver and Scout, throughout the West, doing good deeds and they dedicate their life to combat the evil that Cabendich represents. As they must prevent a war between Indians and ranchers disguised as masked riders in a dangerous adventure . The two heroes ride off in a cloud of dust under classic musical background composed by Rossini and shouting ¨Hi-Yo silver¨.

¨The Legend Of The Lone Ranger¨ is crusader's last silver screen outing , The film contains action , thrills , great scenery with spectacular outdoors magnificently photographed in Warnercolor . This shows a campy and entertaining glimpse at nostalgic television series . It packs some fine action , adequate musical score , thrills and emotion ; as children as well as adults will undoubtedly love this film . Clayton Moore is good as the mysterious and righteous gunslinger, yet he shows have an endearing innocent charm , while Jay Silverheels is acceptable as his faithful sidekick Tonto. Jay Silverheels played as Tonto in the long series and two films , he also played Geronimo in ¨Broken Arrow¨(1950) . ¨The battle of Apache Pass¨(1951) and ¨Walk to proud land¨(56) . He performed about 30 Western from 1957 to 1973 in important roles such as ¨Brave warrior¨, 'The pathfinder¨, ¨Drums across the river¨, ¨Indian Paint and ¨Santee¨ . In addition , he played a cameo as Tonto in the parody ¨Alias Jesse James¨ with Bob Hope . The motion picture was professionally directed by Leslie Selander .Selander is generally considered to be the most prolific director of feature Westerns of all time, with at least 107 to his credit between 1935 and 1967. He realized his first feature in 1936, a western , genre in which he would not only excel but one where he would spent much of the rest of his career . Although Selander couldn't be deemed an "A"-list director, his movies had a professionalism and a verve that many of those made by his fellow B directors lacked . He also filmed detective thrillers, action/adventure motion pictures and even a horror film or two . He finished a close second with 106 horse operas helmed between 1917 and 1949 , for thirty years . He began with Western starred by Buck Jones and subsequently Hopalong Casssidy series performed by William Boyd . He moved to Republic where directed Rod Cameron in ¨Panhandle¨ and Stampede¨and started his collaboration to Tim Holt in 20 films . After that , he directed his best films as ¨Fort vengeance¨, ¨Arrow in the dust¨, ¨Town Tamer¨ and his final picture shot in Spain ¨Texas Kid¨.

Originally created as a radio play in 1933 by George W. Trendle and well developed by Fran Striker . The Lone Ranger started off as an America radio show started in the 1930s and finally ended in 1954 . It began in a ¨Lone Ranger¨ serial (1938) , a program burdened by noisy action and starred by Lee Powell , being directed by William Witney and John English . It later expanded on to the big screen with 1938's "The Lone Ranger," 1939's "The Lone Ranger Rides Again," , a Republic serial in 15 whirlwind chapters with Robert Livingstone , Chief Thundercloud and Duncan Renaldo . The Lone Ranger was also a television series from 1948 through 1957 in which gained widespread notoriety on ABC television, as Clayton Moore donned the mask each week to fight crime and corruption in the old west and of course Jay Silverheels as Tonto . The Masked rider and Tonto in their first feature-length picture was directed by Stuart Heisler and co-starred by Lyle Bettger and Bonita Granville ; its following was this one , well co-starred by Douglas Kennedy , Charles Watts and Ralph Morris . Furthermore , new version by Willam A Fraker titled ¨The legend of the Lone Ranger¨ that wavers between irony and seriousness , starred by Klinton Spilbury and Michael Horse ; but the film bombed so badly at the box office , as the movie's star Klinton Spilsbury never worked in Hollywood again. The last appearance of The Lone Ranger was in 2003 for a two-hour special on WB Network starring Chad Michael Murray and Nathaniel Arcand . Jerry Bruckheimer Films has debuted a logo for the upcoming adaptation of The Lone Ranger , this is the last big screen iteration of the famous character . The tagline on the site reads, "The Legend Returns." Pirates of the Caribbean director Gore Verbinski has been contracted to filmmaking the classic TV show film , a blockbuster retelling for the big screen, and Johnny Depp is attached to play Tonto, the Lone Ranger's partner.