These Fascinating Facts About The Lone Ranger Will Have Fans Shouting “Hi-Yo Silver”

The Lone Ranger is a character who needs no introduction. He has graced comic books, radio shows and TV series for almost a century! Yet the beloved masked crusader has failed to connect with audiences in his more recent appearances. So, from Clayton Moore first bringing him to life to newer budget-busting box office flops, here is every fact you need to know about the character and franchise.

40. The Lone Ranger Is Older Than People Think

The Lone Ranger made its official debut on a Detroit radio station called WXYZ in January 1933. But the character – which was created by series producer George Trendle and writer Francis Striker – is even older. Yep, test episodes actually ran on Buffalo, New York station WEBR – meaning the masked avenger made his first public appearance even earlier.

39. It Was A TV First

Amazingly, The Lone Ranger first appeared on radio way back in 1933, though the TV series is slightly younger. The ABC network commissioned it 16 years later, and it became the first television serial for the Western genre. The series lasted for five seasons and aired 221 episodes, though despite its popularity, The Lone Ranger lost the two Emmys it was nominated for.

38. He had A Unique Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame

It was actor Clayton Moore who portrayed the Lone Ranger on the original television series. And besides a brief period mid-run, he was there until the end. Moore was actually so closely associated with the character that his Hollywood Walk of Fame star acknowledges him by both the character and his real name. Apparently, Moore is the only person to be recognised as such.

37. Tonto Was Native American

Tonto – the character who served as the Lone Ranger’s trusty sidekick – was portrayed by Jay Silverheels in the TV series. Interestingly, the actor’s father was a Mohawk chief heading the Six Nations Reservation in Brantford, Ontario. Fun fact: Silverheels first worked as a stuntman in Hollywood and was a lacrosse ace before he pursued a life in TV.

36. It Was 20 Years Before We Learned His First Name

The Lone Ranger’s real surname was given as Reid during the early the radio series. Though some claim his first name – John – was only revealed in 1953 during a 20th anniversary radio show. Others dispute whether the name was mentioned in that program, mind you. Nevertheless, it was confirmed his name was John Reid in the 1981 movie The Legend of the Lone Ranger and the 2006 comic book series.

35. The Lone Ranger And The Green Hornet Are Related

The Green Hornet was another radio series that enjoyed multi-platform incarnations. But that and masked crusading is not all it has in common with The Lone Ranger. In fact, the Green Hornet is also known by the civilian name Britt Reid, who is the son of Dan – John’s nephew who pops up in various episodes. This, therefore, makes the Lone Ranger the Green Hornet’s great-uncle. Both were conceived by George Trendle, too.

34. Tonto’s Term Of Affection Was Inspired By A Boys’ Camp

The Lone Ranger’s sidekick Tonto had a term of endearment throughout the series: “kemosabe.” The word is believed to have derived from Potawatomi – a Great Plains Native American tribe – and it means “trusted scout” or “faithful friend.” Yet the radio series director Jim Jewell once claimed that it was inspired by a boys’ camp named Kamp Kee-Mo Sah-Bee located on Michigan’s Mullett Lake.

33. The 2013 Movie Was Set To Feature Werewolves

Throughout the Lone Ranger’s history, he was renowned for his use of silver bullets. In fact, they were a means of identity while operating incognito. Though when it came to the 2013 movie of the same name, writers took on an angle bedded in the supernatural, according to Screen Crush. The original script had the masked hero taking out werewolves, which are only destroyed by silver bullets. Fortunately, the idea was tossed.

32. The Character Was Based On Bass Reeves

It’s a little hazy as to who or what inspired the concept of the Lone Ranger. But one theory is that it was based on the infamous law enforcer Bass Reeves. The trailblazer escaped slavery and for years lived a Native American lifestyle. He was among the first African-American Deputy U.S. Marshals in cowboy country – that’s the region west of the Mississippi river. And over three decades he reportedly captured around 3,000 criminals without injury!

31. The ‘Lone Ranger Atom Bomb Ring’ Was Available To Loyal Fans

It was typical in the 1930s and ’40s for radio shows to offer unique keepsakes for fans of their shows. Usually it’d be kids’ toys: like deputy badges or sparking six-shooters. But during World War II a pretty tasteless souvenir was offered to diehard fans: they could pledge their allegiance to both with the “Lone Ranger Atom Bomb Ring.” Because, of course, cowboys were renowned for nuclear warfare.

30. Lone Ranger Clayton Moore Took His Role Very Seriously

Moore is perhaps the most recognizable Lone Ranger – having played the role in the TV series from 1949 to 1957. And it’s one the actor carried over into real life, too. He took on the character’s moral conduct and rarely made public appearances without his famous mask. Moore even continued the charade for decades after the series came to an end.

29. Tonto’s First Appearance Didn’t Happen Until Episode 11

Naturally, the name “Lone Ranger” suggests somebody who flies solo. And that’s exactly how the radio series initially portrayed him. Yet that led to a character who often talked to himself for long periods so that the audience knew what was happening. So, Screen Crush notes that producers created Tonto just to maintain dialogue. And one of the most iconic duos in fiction was born.

28. His Trademark Mask Was Fashioned From His Vest

How did the Lone Ranger get his signature look? Well, to discover the answer we need to go back to his origins. John Reid was the sole survivor of a gnarly ambush. He was found by Tonto, who aided his recovery and vowed to help Reid avenge his colleagues’ killers. But Reid needed a disguise, so Tonto got creative and made a mask out of his new friend’s vest.

27. The Lone Ranger Followed A Strict Code Of Conduct

Fran Striker and George Trendle were meticulous when it came to developing the Lone Ranger character. Firstly, he should never appear without his mask. Though did you know that the character always used formal grammar and never uttered slang or common language? He also rarely called himself the Lone Ranger and instead identified himself with a silver bullet.

26. He’s Been Portrayed Everywhere

From radio and TV through to comic books and movies, there’s not a single entertainment medium the Lone Ranger hasn’t graced. In fact, a comic book appeared the year before the original TV series and ran for 145 editions! The masked crusader went on to appear in several movies, and other TV series were trialed. There was even a cartoon in the ’60s, and he appeared in game format in 1991.

25. TV’s Lone Ranger Didn't Utter His Famous Catchphrase

Whatever format fans consumed, the Lone Ranger’s iconic catchphrase “Hi-Yo Silver” was sure to have been uttered at some point. It actually appeared at the start of every TV episode from 1949 to ’57. But it wasn’t Clayton Moore who muttered the words. The phrase actually came from Earle W. Graser, who portrayed the radio character over an eight-year period from 1933.

24. The Lone Ranger TV Series Was Made On A Relatively Small Budget

For a series that has such an enduring appeal, producers appear to have received a good return on their investment. IMDb notes that its initial budget was $12,000 per episode and it increased to $18,000 from 1954. Even taking inflation into account, that’s between $135,000 and $180,000 today. That’s a fraction of, say, the <i>Game of Thrones</i>’ budget, which, according to Screen Rant, swelled to an eye-watering $15 million per episode!

23. Clayton Moore Wasn’t Always TV’s Lone Ranger

Out of the 221 episodes that aired, Clayton Moore played the lead character in all but 52 of them. You see, he walked out for a time over what some say was a clash over pay, but Moore maintained was creative differences. John Hart played the Lone Ranger in his absence, though fans were not impressed. In 1954 George W. Trendle sold the show to Jack Wrather, and the latter immediately reinstated Moore. 

22. A Lone Ranger Revival Was Turned Down

Before The Lone Ranger came to an end, CBS began showing reruns over a seven-year period from 1953. Then, it is rumored that an idea was floated for a new series called The Return of the Lone Ranger a year later. An actor named Tex Hill was apparently set to don the mask. Yet Moore’s own replacement didn’t go down well with audiences, so it’s perhaps unsurprising that CBS passed on the pilot.

21. A Lone Ranger Movie In The ’80s Was A Commercial Flop

It seems that audiences hold the original Lone Ranger TV series particularly dear to their hearts. They didn’t warm to Moore’s short term replacement in the 1950s, and viewers weren’t keen on a movie version in 1981, either. The Legend of the Lone Ranger – which starred Klinton Spilsbury and Michael Horse – failed to attract much interest at the box office. 

20. ‘Tonto’ Is An Insult In Spanish

There’s a belief that Trendle knew some local Potawatomi tribespeople as a youngster in Michigan. He named the character Tonto – believing it was a word meaning “wild one” in their native tongue. Though when the show was dubbed into Spanish, they changed the name to “Toro,” which means “bull.” That’s because “Tonto” to them means “dumb,” “stupid” or “fool.”

19. The Lone Ranger Is Used As A Measure Of Intelligence

The final act of the “William Tell Overture” by Rossini is perhaps among the most famous pieces in classical music history. And one of its most well known uses is as The Lone Ranger theme. The two are now so intertwined that we’d struggle to imagine anything other than the masked hero after hearing it!

18. The Lone Ranger’s Mask Is Kept In A Museum

The Lone Ranger’s iconic face wear is deemed so culturally significant that it is now housed in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. It may have been made from an old vest in haste, but it turned into an instantly identifiable artifact. The mask is not currently on display, though. It’s actually locked safely in the vaults!

17. Johnny Depp’s Horse Saved His Life

Johnny Depp – who played Tonto in the 2013 movie The Lone Ranger – paid tribute to his stunt horse Scout after the equine’s quick thinking. Footage shows that he fell from the animal and was dragged 25 feet. The horse even jumped over the actor and released him from the saddle. It could have been very serious if the horse had stepped on Depp, but the actor received only small cuts and bruises.

16. Depp’s Casting Was Blessed By A Native American Tribe

Depp fans may be aware that he has Cherokee blood – perhaps making him a shoe-in to play Tonto. It also gave filmmakers their top-billed actor for the movie – a first for Tonto in the franchise. Yet some considered it racist to cast a white man in an ethnic role. So, producers maintained authenticity by consulting various tribes, and Depp was sworn into the Comanche Nation by its chairman Johnny Wauqua.

15. Depp Learned A Rare Native American Language For The Role

For his role as Tonto, Johnny Depp learned the Comanche Nation’s language. If you’re going to do it, you may as well go all in, right? And he did, because Todd McDaniels – an expert on the dialect – commended the actor on his efforts. Amazingly, the language actually only has up to 30 speakers today, according to IMDb. It notes that McDaniels said of Depp, “The words were there; the pronunciation was shaky, but adequate.”

14. The Lone Ranger Movie Throws Back To Its Roots

There have been nods and homages to the franchise’s roots throughout the Lone Ranger’s history and various formats. In the 2013 movie, there is a scene – or “frame story” – recalling the moment where a young Will connects with the old Tonto. Well, the scene is set in 1933 – the year the Lone Ranger first hit the radio airwaves.

13. The 2013 Movie Is Packed With Throwbacks

The scene where Will connects with Tonto as an old man is actually titled “The Thrilling Days of Yesteryear.” This happens to be yet another throwback to the original Lone Ranger radio show. You see, its introductory narration summoned listeners to “return with us to the thrilling days of yesteryear.” For reference, the 2013 movie is set in 1869 and 1933.

12. The Filming Of The 2013 Movie Was Wracked With Issues

Would it surprise you to learn that the 2013 movie almost didn’t get made at all? Well, there were a number of problems during filming that almost caused the production’s cancelation. According to IMDb, the crew battled atrocious weather and wildfires on location. There was also apparently an outbreak of chicken pox and one worker lost his life in a tragic accident.

11. It Wasn’t Filmed Where The Movie Is Set

Those with a keen sense of geography may have noticed that Monument Valley in Utah and Arizona crops up in the movie. That was in homage to legendary Western director John Ford, who often used the location for his own movies. Many believe that his use of the area was so powerful that other directors avoided it for fear of ripping him off!

10. Another Nod To The Godfather Of Western Movies

Director John Ford had nothing to do with the Lone Ranger franchise. Yet as the granddaddy of the Western genre, it’s hard not to pay homage to his vision. So, during John Reid’s first appearance in the movie, supporting characters sing “Shall We Gather at the River.” It was reportedly the famed director’s most beloved hymn and featured in several of his own movies.

9. Depp Was Fashionably Late For The Readthrough

Rumor has it that Johnny Depp only made it to a read through of the script two hours after it was scheduled. According to IMDb. he wanted to attend wearing full costume and makeup. Talk about fashionably late! And we can only imagine the impressive sight of a Native American in full regalia strolling up to the Albuquerque studios.

8. The Lone Ranger References His Own Absence

Throughout different mediums and incarnations, the Lone Ranger has a tradition of acknowledging his own history. In the newest movie, the character notes that he hasn’t fired his gun for nine years. And with filming having taken place in 2012, that makes the comment a throwback to the character’s most recent TV excursion in The Lone Ranger movie starring Chad Michael Murray.

7. The Lone Ranger Didn’t Drink Or Smoke

The Lone Ranger radio series quickly became a hit with children. It’s perhaps for this reason that his visual portrayal always set a good example which may have been out of character for stereotypical cowboys. Instead of scenes featuring alcohol-swilling renegades, when John Reid steps into a saloon it is a café setting in which waiters serve food.

6. Set-Makers Built A Real Railroad For The Movie

There are multiple scenes in the 2013 movie that feature a working train. For the sake of authenticity and to honor the location, it was required to build a large track that the train could run on. As per IMDb, Gandy Dancer Railroad and Excavating Services laid nearly 2,000 tons of track for the job. And it was built as an oval so trains could be filmed heading in all directions.

5. The Trains Were Donated To A California Tour Group

When filming came to an end, the railroad constructed for the 2013 movie had to be dismantled again. After all, it wasn’t connected to a wider network and therefore had no practical use. Yet the movie’s trains found a new home when cameras stopped rolling. Yep, they were gifted to California’s Fillmore & Western Railway, which offers authentic tours of the local area.

4. Attention To Detail Stretches To The Merchandise, Too

Fans of the Lone Ranger may be familiar with the accurate cap-gun holster which features in the 2013 movie. The toy is a replica of a set made by Keystone and was authentic to the era. The company is known to have operated in San Francisco around the 1930s – making it at least as old as the Golden Gate Bridge.

3. The Lone Ranger’s 2013 Iteration Is One Of Cinema’s Biggest Ever Failures

Audiences are still fond of the original Lone Ranger after all these years. It’s perhaps understandable, then, that Disney pumped around $250 million into the 2013 film, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Clearly, there was a lot riding on its success. But the movie was critically panned, and it reportedly lost up to $120 million at the box office.

2. The Movie’s Key Names Took A Pay Cut To Save Costs

The reported $250 million budget was an eye watering one – putting it ahead even of the first instalment of the Avengers’ franchise. Though did you know it could have cost even more? That’s because its producer Jerry Bruckheimer, director Gore Verbinski and main actors Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer took a 20 percent pay cut to lower the film’s budget, according to IMDb.

1. Attempts To Revive The Lone Ranger Have Been Disastrous

The 2013 movie received a nomination for Worst Picture at the Razzie Awards. It was the second movie from the franchise to be, uh, honored after The Legend of the Lone Ranger in 1981. The Razzies are, of course, an antidote to the Oscars in recognizing cinema’s underachievers. Could this be why fans don’t see the masked crusader anymore?