Clayton Moore was The Lone Ranger.
Not only did he play the character on TV for 269 episodes over three seasons, but maintained the integrity of the character throughout his life. I Was That Masked Man is his autobiography and recounts his start in show business until his semi-retirement.
I have recently been watching the 75th Anniversary set of dvd's and was surprised by the quality of the show. It was aimed at kids, but is still entertaining today, with good scripts, action, a low schmaltz factor and genuine characters.
Clayton Moore (aka Jack Moore) played The Lone Ranger and Jay Silverheels (aka Harold J. Smith) played Tonto with a conscious effort to remain equals. Tonto was not a mere sidekick and demanded respect. The Lone Ranger was never seen in the series without his trademark mask (even before he became the crusader), and his code of conduct for the kids went so far as his distinct manner of speech, as he enunciated each word properly.
Though he recalls many stories from the series, the most interesting part for me was his rise through the serials of the day. He had begun as a trapeze artist at shows including the 1934 World's Fair. His athletic build and good looks earned him an offer from Hollywood, where at the time, it seemed you could just walk in and ask for a job. And they would hire you on the spot. In the 1940's he shot many chapter serials for studios like Republic like The Perils of Nyoka (jungle adventure), Radar Men of the Moon (space adventure), Black Dragons (spy adventure), and Jesse James Rides Again (western adventure) where he learned his great riding skills. Whatever the story, these were all filmed at the same locations (!) at Iverson's Movie Ranch outside LA, and would be again for The Lone Ranger. These were shot fast and loose but Moore learned to do his own stunts and horse work (including the famous shot atop a rearing Silver).
After the show finished there were two Lone Ranger feature films, and along with the endless variety of merchandise, the character became a part of popular culture. When Clayton Moore received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, he became the only star to have his character's name along side his own. Although there have been several people to portray The Lone Ranger on radio and in a few feature films, Clayton Moore is the undisputed authentic.
This was highlighted by a case in 1979, just before the release of a new Lone Ranger movie. The corporation that owned the series tried to stop him from making personal appearances as the character, saying he was too old to represent The Lone Ranger. With the restraining order in place, he continued to appear as Clayton Moore, and just wore dark wraparound sunglasses instead! Suddenly he was on every talk show and in all the papers, receiving many letters that stated - in the eyes of millions - he was the original and the only Lone Ranger. The Judge ruled in favour of the corporation, but in 1984 (after the movie bombed) he received a letter lifting the ban on his appearances.
If you like old serials, cowboy westerns, or the early days of television, you'll find this very entertaining. If you like The Lone Ranger you won't be disappointed.
Clayton Moore was a class act, never letting down the fans who grew up with the show by not appearing in character (with or without the mask), and enjoying the many times adults turned back into children recalling their enjoyment of the show. He was a fabulous individual.
1996 / Hardcover / 266 pages
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