Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Lone Ranger On Western Wednesday...!

Boy, did I have some flashbacks doing this post!

The Lone Ranger was just one of the shows we used to watch to on television. I even heard some of his shows on the radio at one point, but I'm not sure when! Many of the shows on the radio were favorites and very entertaining before we got our first television set! Boy, I spent many fun times with that 10 inch screen!

Jan 30, 1933:
The Lone Ranger debuts on Detroit radio

With the stirring notes of the William Tell Overture and a shout of "Hi-yo, Silver! Away!" The Lone Ranger debuts on Detroit's WXYZ radio station.

The creation of station-owner George Trendle and writer Fran Striker, the "masked rider of the plains" became one of the most popular and enduring western heroes of the 20th century. Joined by his trusty steed, Silver, and loyal Indian scout, Tonto, the Lone Ranger sallied forth to do battle with evil western outlaws and Indians, generally arriving on the scene just in time to save an innocent golden-haired child or sun-bonneted farm wife.

Neither Trendle nor Striker had any connections to or experience with the cowboys, Indians, and pioneers of the real West, but that mattered little to them. The men simply wanted to create an American version of the masked swashbuckler made popular by the silent movie actor Douglas Fairbanks in The Mark of Zorro, arming their hero with a revolver rather than a sword. Historical authenticity was far less important to the men than fidelity to the strict code of conduct they established for their character. The Lone Ranger never smoked, swore, or drank alcohol; he used grammatically correct speech free of slang; and, most important, he never shot to kill. More offensive to modern historical and ethnic sensibilities was the Indian scout Tonto, who spoke in a comical Indian patois totally unrelated to any authentic Indian dialect, uttering ludicrous phrases like "You betchum!"

Historical accuracy notwithstanding, the radio program was an instant hit. Children liked the steady stream of action and parents approved of the good moral example offered by the upstanding masked man. Soon picked up for nationwide broadcast over the Mutual Radio Network, over 20 million Americans were tuning into The Lone Ranger three times a week by 1939. In an early example of the power of marketing tie-ins, the producers also licensed the manufacture of a vast array of related products, including Lone Ranger guns, costumes, books, and a popular comic strip.

The Lone Ranger made a seemingly effortless transition from radio to motion pictures and television. The televised version of The Lone Ranger, staring Clayton Moore as the masked man, became ABC's first big hit in the early 1950s. Remaining on the air until 1957, the program helped define the golden age of the TV Western and inspired dozens of imitators like The Range Rider, The Roy Rogers Show, and The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok. Although the Lone Ranger disappeared from American television and movie screens by the 1960s, he lived on in a popular series of comic books well into the 1970s.

My sisters and I were very fortunate that Mom and Dad introduced us to good programs on the radio and television, encouraged us to read good books, and topped it off with a wide selection of outstanding music (mostly radio and records) as well! I'd say that we had a well rounded childhood! In fact, I think I might just go back and do it again...in my mind, of course!

Coffee in the kitchen again! How about some home made brownies?

12 comments:

Mamahen said...

I loved watching the Lone Ranger! Wish young n old alike still lived by the values shown by the old western tales.....Brownies sound yummy....See everyone. in the kitchen :))

Gorges Smythe said...

I don't remember hearing The Lone Ranger on the radio, but I remember listening to Gunsmoke.

Sunnybrook Farm said...

I still watch the lone ranger as it comes on 3 times around supper time on two different dish channels 266 and 82. They even show some color ones filmed in 56 but I like the early ones from 49 and 50. There are several youtube videos that show what the rock where he rides up to in the intro, looks like today. "lone ranger rock"

linda m said...

The Lone Ranger was one of my favorite shows. I was privileged to have met Jay Silverheels when I lived in Canoga Park, CA. He was our Mayor. I don't remember listening to it on the radio but did listen to The Shadow. The values of those old shows are sorely missed by me today. Coffee and brownies sounds good to me.

texasann said...

Bubba -
I love that we had such a great childhood, even with little money. We were well grounded then, and at least a couple of us are today..
Hard to find something to watch on network with 3 year old Henry last weekend. Had to resort to Netflix, and luckily he likes "Mighty Machines" and "Bob the Builder"....
Big Huga -

Chickenmom said...

There is a radio station in Canada that plays all the old radio shows. I can pick it up late at night when the 'skip' is good! Loved those old shows - Good post Mr. Hermit! Love to visit, but I've come down with virus bug....darn!

Lady Locust said...

They were all good:) There was a right and a wrong & right always won, period end of story.
So sad that our children don't usually get that message with the shows currently on.

JO said...

What a great post! sure brought back some memories. I loved Roy Rogers the best. But I had pictures of them all in my room. :) Thanks for bringing a smile to my face this morning.

I hear you weather is really cold. Stay warm my friend.

Dizzy-Dick said...

One of my favorite radio show when I was kid was "Straight Arrow". I believe that shredded wheat cereal boxes had collector cards with "Straight Arrow" tips for would-be cowboys and Indians.

HermitJim said...

Hey Mamahen...
It was one of the favorites back then!

Thanks for coming over today!



Hey Gorges...
So many good old shows come to mind! Lots of entertainment packed into 30 minutes!

Thanks for coming by today!



Hey Sunnybrook...
I didn't know the show was still on! Glad that folks can still watch it in some places!

Interesting about the rock! I had no idea!

Thanks for coming by this morning!



Hey Linda M...
I always did like him! Didn't know he went into politics!

Thanks for sharing some memories with us!



Hey Sis...
We were indeed more fortunate than some. Always seemed to me that our house was sort of the place where the kids liked to gather. Could be because everyone who showed up was treated like family and had to follow the same rules and guidelines!

Thanks, Sis, for coming over today!



Hey Phyllis...
Sure hope you don't get too sick! Take care of yourself!

Thanks for dropping by today!



Hey Lady Locust...
I think that part of the problem could be that there is no one to act as a moral guide anymore!

We used to have heroes to look up to, but the folks in the news now days are not, for the most part, of the moral I would want my kids to watch!

I sure appreciate you coming by today!



Hey Jo...
Roy and Dale, along with sidekick Pat Brady, were right up there with the favorites on early television .

Older memories were sure fun! Sometimes now yesterday seems like an old memory! Know what I mean?

Thanks, sweetie, for coming over today!



Hey Dizzy...
I don't know that I remember the show "Straight Arrow!"

Thanks, my friend, for dropping in today!

Sixbears said...

I wonder if something like the old radio programs could be done today. Maybe in the form of a podcast.

Hmmm, maybe I'll do it. :)

Linda said...

I listened to Lone Ranger and many other shows on radio. We did not have a television because Daddy said he could not read with it blasting noise. So, he took it back and we continued with listening to our entertainment. We read more without the tv that only stayed at our house for three days! I hated it then, but as the years have passed, I am so grateful for no TV.