The Lone Ranger (1956)

• Director
  • Stuart Heisler
• Writers
  • Herb Meadow
  • George W. Trendle
• Stars
  • Clayton Moore
  • Jay Silverheels
  • Lyle Bettger

  The Lone Ranger was the first of two Technicolor theatrical features based on the popular TV series of the same name. Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels, stars of the video version, essay the roles of the Masked Rider of the Plains and his faithful Indian companion Tonto. This time around, our heroes take on evil rancher Reece Kilgore (Lyle Bettger), who hopes to become an all-poweful land baron by fomenting an Indian war. It is up to the Lone Ranger to keep the peace and to find out why Kilgore is up to what he's up to. To expedite this, the Ranger adopts a couple of clever disguises (though we never see his full face au naturel). Among the more novel aspects of the film is little Beverly Washburn as Lila Kilgore, the sweet, innocent daughter of the double-dyed villain. The nominal leading lady is played by Bonita Granville, who co-produced the film with her husband Jack Wrather. The Lone Ranger proved successful enough to warrant a sequel, The Lone Ranger and the Lost City of Gold (also 1956).