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One of the things that amazes me about this film is its surprisingly modern attitude towards Native Americans (no, seriously!) The Indians in this movie are portrayed with dignity and respect, similar to the way "Dances With Wolves" would portray the Lakota years later. Naturally, the Lone Ranger and Tonto are good friends and partners (Clayton Moore always said he loved Jay Silverheels like a brother), but the way the Ranger in which treats the Indian chief, Red Hawk, is touching. No wonder this man is a hero.

In an era when Hollywood more often than not used Indians as stereotypical savages and moving targets, "The Lone Ranger" makes a surprising plea for mutual respect and tolerance.

"The Lone Ranger" was the first of two feature films made in the 50s starring Clayton Moore as The Lone Ranger and Jay Silverheels as Tonto. It was of course, based on the long running TV series that began in 1949 and ended in 1957. It was produced by Jack Wrather who also produced the TV series.

Essentially a "B+" western it is nonetheless a well mounted production. It was made by Warner Brothers and is as good as any of the Randolph Scott westerns made by the studio at that time. Being a major studio production, it was filmed in color and Wrather was able to hire an above average supporting cast.

The story briefly, involves big time rancher Reese Kilgore (Lyle Bettger) trying to incite a war with the local Indian tribe on whose reservation a mountain of silver is located. The Masked Man and his faithful Indian companion ride in to try and prevent the conflict.

Moore and Silverheels, who had been around the "B" movie scene since the late 30s, play their parts pretty much the way they did on TV but with a little more edge. Moore has a knock down drag out fight with the Indian warrior Angry Horse (Michael Ansara) who is trying to take control of the tribe from sickly Chief Red Hawk (Frank DeKova). Tonto meanwhile, is beaten up by Kilgore's thugs (Robert J. Wilke, Mickey Simpson, Zon Murray). And the boys even get to gun down a couple of the bad guys. And, The Lone Ranger even gets wounded only to make a remarkable recovery. And oh yes, Moore also gets don the disguise of the old prospector again as he did several times in the TV series.

In addition to those mentioned, the supporting cast also includes Bonita Granville (wife of Producer Wrather) as Bettger's wife, Beverly Washburn as their daughter, John Pickard as the Sheriff, Perry Lopez as Pete Ramerez and Kermit Maynard and William Schallert in smaller parts.

The movie is not as corny as the TV series and turns out to be an entertaining western.

If anyone had told me I'd look at, let alone write a review for a 'Lone Ranger' film I'd have laughed at them Big Time! Here is a film from 1956, based on a TV series that I fully expected to look and sound as bad as they could come....was I surprised to find this had elements you might usually expect to find in a major work.

Technically, it doesn't get too much better than this curious show. If you can get your head around a masked vigilante leading a two man fight against all forms of corruption, then you could be on you way to an exciting ride, and ride they do! Some of the horse work is of the more spectacular type with several scenes where the horses actually run off with the honors.

It's all odd, and at odds with an America of the 50s where Afro Americans and Native Indians were treated as second (and third) class citizens ~ then along comes a hero of the highest degree, who with his trusted 'Red Indian' confident and 'friend', takes on the whole American political system! The production values were the biggest surprise for me. Firstly, an above average script credited to 'Have Gun Will Travel' creator: Herb Meadow (based on the original characters created by Francis Striker and George Trendle in 1932) this kicks things off to a good start, then you notice the great cinematography by special effects man Edwin B. Du Par. The action sequences are so well staged that you almost feel the pain being inflicted on the characters, who by the way, put up with unexpected levels of violence for this era and genre.

Strong direction is given by Stuart Heisler who keeps the thrills flowing. The music score by Vienese David Buttolph blends in well with the strange choice of an Italian opera for the main and end titles! Those with a trained ear for 50s/60s TV themes will pick up the 'Sugarfoot' theme within the incidental music (I had wondered where that theme came from, now we know) The two main leads work very well together turning in sincere performances for their curious characters - I can't help but feel they had a genuine fondness for them, this all helps carry it thorough the shaky bits.

The bulk of the supporting cast supply strong performances and lift this near unbelievable story to a quite believable level. This was to be award nominated Bonita Granville's final major screen role, she married the films producer Jack Wrather and retired. I'm now looking forward to the follow up theatrical feature: 'The Lost City of Gold' Hope it's as well done. If you enjoy this type of 50s western movie you may have fun with this, give it a go....

Footnote Up-Date: Have since caught up with the 'Lost City of Gold', somewhat of a let down. Review posted also.

The Lone Ranger is directed by Stuart Heisler and written by Herb Meadow and George W. Trendle. It stars Clayton Moore, Jay Silverheels, Lyle Bettger, Bonita Granville, Perry Lopez, Robert J. Wilke and John Pickard. Music is by David Buttolph and cinematography by Edwin B. DuPar.

Wealthy rancher Reese Kilgore (Bettger) aims to grab silver-rich Indian land by skilfully pitting Indians against settlers, but the suspicious territorial governor sends The Lone Ranger (Moore) to investigate.

I think most of us Western fans of a certain age remember fondly The Lone Ranger TV series, and with that we obviously remember it as being child friendly. So it's reasonable to expect this filmic version as being more of the same? Yet although it is of course safe for the kiddies to enjoy, it's very mature in narrative terms.

It's not an origin movie, though the screenplay allows space for us to get the birth of the masked man as it were. Naturally we are in the realm of the good versus the bad, but as we deal with bile strewn racial prejudices, we also get the flip side in the form of the strong friendship between Lone Ranger and Tonto (Silverheels).

Pic is crammed full of lush locations, fast paced action, plenty of fights - both with fists and weaponry - stock genre characters, and two of the coolest horses in genre lore. All that and the signature William Tell Overture music that brings simultaneously a smile to the face and a tingle to the youthful spine in all of us. Hooray! 7/10

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.