U.S. Western

The Lone Ranger originated on WXYZ radio in Detroit, Michigan, in 1933. Created by George W. Tren­dle and written by Fran Striker, the show became so popular it was one of the reasons why several stations linked together to share programming on what became the Mutual Broadcasting System. Aimed primarily at the children's audience, The Lone Ranger made a successful transition to ABC television in 1949. Several characteristics were unique and central to the premise of this western, and the initial episode that explained the legend was occasionally repeated so young viewers would understand how the hero gained his name and why he wore a mask. The Lone Ranger is one of six Texas Rangers who are ambushed while chasing a gang of outlaws led by Butch Cavendish. After the battle, one "lone ranger" survives and is discovered by Tonto, a Native American who recognizes the survivor as John Reid, the man who had saved his life earlier. Tonto thereafter refers to the ranger as kemo sabe, which is translated as "trusty scout." After Tonto helps him regain his strength, the ranger vows to hide his identity from Cavendish and to dedicate his life to "making the West a decent place to live." He and Tonto dig an extra grave to fool Cavendish into believing all six rangers had died, and the ranger dons a mask to protect his identity as the single surviving ranger. Only Tonto knows who he is... the Lone Ranger. After he and Tonto save a silver-white stallion from being gored by a buffalo, they nurse the horse back to health and set him free. The horse follows them and the Lone Ranger decides to adopt him and give him the name Silver. Shortly thereafter, the Lone Ranger and Tonto encounter a man who, it turns out, had been set up to take the blame for murders committed by Cavendish. They establish him as caretaker in an abandoned silver mine, where he produces silver bullets for the Loni! Ranger. Even after the Cavendish gang is captured, th•:! Lone Ranger decides to keep his identity a secret. Near the end of this and many future episodes, someone asks about the identity of the masked man. The typical response: "I don't rightly know his real name, but I've heard him called ... the Lone Ranger."