Le justicier masqué

After being surprised by the production quality of the first theatrical feature for the Lone Ranger, this one was a let down. Yes, it does offer some strong scenes with powerful dialog - especially those centered around the ugly theme of racial intolerance.

What is missing here is the strong direction and overall tight script of the first, as well as the colorful music score. 'Lost City of Gold' saunters along with a typical television approach, but with the addition of some questionable violence (typical of the late 50s onwards) to spice it up for so called 'adults'. The Australian censors had a field day bringing it in line with it's family origins, but perhaps they too might have been a tad over enthusiastic. Les Baxter attempted a new arrangement of the famous Rossini theme and mostly succeeded with a new colorful orchestration. Tonto is utilized to better advantage with more good character and action scenes than the Lone Ranger, but then he gets to shine in a couple of situations with a neat disguise. Some will still enjoy this ride, but others be warned.

A Fitting and Bravura End to the Team of Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels as the West's most Exciting Vigilante Team (Zorro worked alone).

From the Initial Concept, the Coupling of a White Man and an Indian as Faithful Companions Set the Stage for a Coming Together of the Races and Respect for the Native American.

This Lone Ranger Movie takes it to the Logical and Presents a Story here that is Provocative and Ahead of its Time, Especially for the Impressionable Kids.

This Cannot be Overstated. Our Heroes are Just That.

They have a Quality that is Remarkable, Commendable, and a Mythos that will Endure.

This Movie is a Wonderful Experience.

A Colorful, Action Filled, Western that has an Elevated Script, some Penetrating Violence, and Characters that are Believable.

A Depth of Behavior Found only in the Better Westerns of the Time.

This Final Outing Retires the Beloved Duo and is quite an Accomplishment from All.

This can Proudly be Revisited by Generations to come as "The Lone Ranger Rides Again" and can Exemplify the "Better Angels of Our Nature" for All Ages.

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.

Clayton Moore returns for one last big screen adventure as legendary vigilante The Lone Ranger, who attempts to uncover who is behind a series of murders and figure out why the villains are only interested in the medallions worn around the victims' necks.

As a fan of The Lone Ranger, and of movies that feature long lost civilisations and legendary cities, I figured I couldn't really go wrong with The Lone Ranger and The Lost City of Gold; sadly, the film fails to live up to its promise, thanks to a weak script that gives our masked hero very little to do except to gallop from one location to another (accompanied by faithful sidekick Tonto, played by Jay Silverheels), occasionally taking time out to pose as a Southern gentlemen in order to fool femme fatale Frances Henderson (Noreen Nash) into revealing her plans. Meanwhile, respectable town physician Dr. James Rolfe (Dean Fredericks), who wears one of the much sought after medallions, struggles to choose between his job and his sweetheart, redskin Paviva (exotic beauty Lisa Montell).

As for the fabled city of gold, it stays lost until the very end of the movie, when we are treated to a few seconds of a disappointing matte painting.

5.5 out of 10, generously rounded up to 6 for the surprisingly nasty demise (for a family film) of Henderson's partner in crime Ross Brady (Douglas Kennedy).

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.