The Lone Ranger (1956 film)
The Lone Ranger is a 1956 Western film based on The Lone Ranger television series, starring Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels. The Lone Ranger was the first of two theatrical features based on the popular TV series of the same name; the other one being The Lone Ranger and the Lost City of Gold (1958). This 1956 film was Bonita Granville's last film appearance. She retired from the screen to marry Jack Wrather.[4]
| The Lone Ranger | |
|---|---|
_poster.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Stuart Heisler |
| Produced by | Willis Goldbeck[1] Jack Wrather |
| Written by | Eric Freiwald Herb Meadow |
| Screenplay by | George W. Trendle |
| Based on | The Lone Ranger |
| Starring | Clayton Moore Jay Silverheels Beverly Washburn |
| Music by | David Buttolph |
| Cinematography | Edwin B. DuPar |
| Edited by | Clarence Kolster |
Production company | Wrather Productions |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros.[2] |
Release date |
|
Running time | 81 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $1,550,000 (US)[3] |
Plot
Set in the American Southwest, the territorial governor enlists the help of the Lone Ranger to investigate mysterious raids on white settlers by Indians who ride with saddles. Wealthy rancher Reese Kilgore (Lyle Bettger) wants to expand his land to include Spirit Mountain, which is sacred to the local tribes. The Lone Ranger realizes the natives wanted to keep settlers away so they would not discover the rich silver deposits on Spirit Mountain, while Kilgore wants to encourage a war between settlers and natives so that he can mine the mountain himself. Working with Chief Red Hawk, the governor, Tonto, a cowboy named Ramirez, and a humorous disguise, the Lone Ranger discovers the true identities of the raiders, prevents war, protects the tribal lands, and rescues Kilgore's daughter from captivity.
Cast
- Clayton Moore as The Lone Ranger
- Jay Silverheels as Tonto
- Lyle Bettger as Reese Kilgore
- Bonita Granville as Welcome Kilgore
- Perry Lopez as Pete Ramirez
- Robert J. Wilke as Cassidy
- John Pickard as Sheriff Sam Kimberley
- Beverly Washburn as Lila Kilgore
- Michael Ansara as Angry Horse
- Frank DeKova as Chief Red Hawk
- Charles Meredith as Governor
- Mickey Simpson as Powder
- Lane Chandler as Chip Walker
- Zon Murray as Goss
Production
Parts of the film were shot in Kanab Canyon, Barracks Canyon, and Johnson Canyon in Utah.[5]
Accolades
The film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists:
- 2003: AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes & Villains:
- The Lone Ranger – Nominated Hero[6]
- 2005: AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes:
- The Lone Ranger: "Hi-Yo, Silver!" – Nominated[7]
See also
References
- Daniel, Blum (1969) [1957]. Screen World. 8. New York, N.Y.: Biblo & Tannen. p. 28. ISBN 0819602639.
- "After 60 Years, the Lone Ranger Still Lives". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-09-27.
- 'The Top Box-Office Hits of 1956', Variety Weekly, January 2, 1957
- "The Lone Ranger (1956) - Trivia". TCM.com. Retrieved 2013-08-19.
- D'Arc, James V. (2010). When Hollywood came to town: a history of moviemaking in Utah (1st ed.). Layton, Utah: Gibbs Smith. ISBN 9781423605874.
- "AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes & Villains Nominees" (PDF). Retrieved 2016-08-05.
- "AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes Nominees" (PDF). Retrieved 2016-08-05.