This episode "Enter The Lone Ranger" is a vital episode to watch as it explains why the Lone Ranger is on a mission to bring about law and order to the Western states of America. It also clarifies why he wears a mask and a white hat. The brave Indian, Tonto, is introduced in this episode and it mentions a very interesting link between the two heroes back when they were young. Although the style of acting is dated and in black and white format it is an episode that a dad or mum could sit down and watch with the family (with, of course, a running commentary from them about how they enjoyed this series as a child and how it would be a great series for their children to watch too).
10 Reviews
The birth of the Lone Ranger
mitchrmp25 April 2014
This is probably one of the most unique episodes ever made. In this first episode of what became one of the most memorable series' ever, we learn how one man died only to become another man - one who would bring 500 men to justice.
Everything about the legendary is simply explained in this episode. Not watching this first episode can really confuse us!
Actually, I believe this was a movie broken into several beginning episodes. Each episode reveals a little more. The ending leaves us with a cliffhanger to make the original viewer come back next week.
5 dead
Everything about the legendary is simply explained in this episode. Not watching this first episode can really confuse us!
Actually, I believe this was a movie broken into several beginning episodes. Each episode reveals a little more. The ending leaves us with a cliffhanger to make the original viewer come back next week.
5 dead
In the Beginning
Hitchcoc19 February 2019
As contrived as can be, it is still a cool story. Obviously, The Lone Ranger existed on radio, so much of the mythology had already been established for the fans, mostly young boys I would imagine. Here, a Texas Ranger is shot during an ambush but manages to hold on. Pieces of the character begin to emerge. First, of course, is the character of Tonto, who saves the Rangers life. He had had his life saved by the Ranger as a boy, coincidentally. This is where the Lone Ranger is born, preaching law and order but avoiding the deaths of others. It does end with a confrontation with the man who betrayed the Ranger earlier. Now we move on to the next piece of the puzzle.
What a great movie!
PWNYCNY10 July 2012
This episode explains the origins of the Lone Ranger and the basis for the series. Without this episode, the entire series makes little sense. The Lone Ranger is more than just a crime fighter. He is a symbol, a living metaphor, for a set of values that place him on a higher plane. Moreover, the story is told in a straightforward and unambiguous manner, making it eminently easy to watch and enjoy. The acting is great and Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels are perfect for the parts. An important component is the musical track which is beautiful and powerful and perfectly compliments the story. What is surprising is that although this is the opening episode of a television series, this episode is actually a full-length movie with a strong story, a wide array of characters and sets, and impressive cinematography. This is not a cheaply made production. Also notable in the cast is Glenn Strange who plays the Ranger's main antagonist. This opening episode of the Lone Ranger saga is a great example of the western movie genre and is something that is definitely worth watching.
The 1st Of 221 Great Episodes
hogwrassler14 October 2020
This is the first episode of the series. It is a three parter which tells us the origin of the Lone Ranger, Tonto, and Silver. The narration is done by Gerald Mohr. The first two episodes end with a cliffhanger like a serial. All three of the opening episodes are expertly written so that the viewer learns just how Texas Ranger John Reid became the Lone Ranger and why he wore the mask. We also learn in flashback how Tonto and The Ranger had met years before and what Kemosabe means (Trusty Scout). An entertaining episode to kick off a great series.
An Origins Epic
zardoz-136 July 2013
Warning: Spoilers
"Enter the Lone Ranger" constituted the first episode of the Jack Chertok, Harry Pope, and George W. Trendle produced television series that aired from 1949 to 1957. Regular "Lone Ranger" scribe George B. Seitz Jr. derived his teleplay from on a story written by Fran Styker with Lone Ranger creator George W. Trendle. Basically, this episode served as an origins episode. Not only did it introduce the Lone Ranger as a character but also it dictated the ground rules of the series. Unlike the 1981 and 2013 films, our hero was never shown from the beginning. The Texas Rangers are trailing notorious outlaw Butch Cavendish (Glenn Strange of "House of Dracula"), and they ride unsuspectingly into a cross-fire, and riflemen in a mountain gap riddle them with bullets. We are never introduced to John Reid (Clayton Moore of "Black Dragons") before the massacre, and his identity is kept concealed until he dons the mask. The treacherous guide Collins (George J. Lewis of "Captain America) takes the Rangers into an ambush. Everybody but Collins dies. Butch orders Collins to check the corpses. Collins assures Butch that everybody is deceased. No sooner has Collins confirmed that they are all deed than Cavendish shoots Collins and leaves him for dead. Later, an buckskin-clad Native American, Tonto (Jay Silverheels) shows up and buries all the dead Texas Ranger except one. This Texas Ranger recovers from his wounds, and Tonto reminds him that they were old friends. John Reid extended a helping hand to Tonto after the Indian's village was massacred. Tonto gave him a ring so he would recognize him. After the last Ranger recuperates, he puts on the mask and vows to work for justice. He refuses to kill anybody, and he prefers to let the court determine the fate of the criminals that he brings to justice. A gunfight between the Lone Ranger and Collins ensues at the end, and Collins appears to have an edge on our hero because he is about to smash him with a huge rock. You'll have to wait for the resumption of this in episode two. Altogether, "Enter the Lone Ranger" was very serviceable.
Hi-yo Silver, Away!
dougdoepke13 April 2020
Lots of action in this initial LR episode. But then there should be since this was one of radio's top series. I was a regular fan of the radio show while growing up, but our little mountain town didn't get TV until 1953. So my recollections are mainly from radio voice Brace Beemer. Nonetheless, this switch to TV and Clayton Moore didn't disappoint.
After a big Texas Ranger gun battle with Cavendish gang, we learn how and why ranger Reid (Moore) dons a mask, and with new-found buddy Tonto (Silverheels), becomes a fighter for law and order in the Old West. In the meantime he gets to learn how to rock climb to hopefully escape slippery outlaw Collins. That turns into a real cliff hanger. So tune in, even though this is the first chapter in an action filled serial and see whether the masked man can master cliff-hangers.
(In passing- no sci-fi or oater of the 50's like the LR could manage without Bronson Cave. Hard to believe, but it's in Griffith Park, the middle of LA; thus, a budget-saving location for the studios.)
After a big Texas Ranger gun battle with Cavendish gang, we learn how and why ranger Reid (Moore) dons a mask, and with new-found buddy Tonto (Silverheels), becomes a fighter for law and order in the Old West. In the meantime he gets to learn how to rock climb to hopefully escape slippery outlaw Collins. That turns into a real cliff hanger. So tune in, even though this is the first chapter in an action filled serial and see whether the masked man can master cliff-hangers.
(In passing- no sci-fi or oater of the 50's like the LR could manage without Bronson Cave. Hard to believe, but it's in Griffith Park, the middle of LA; thus, a budget-saving location for the studios.)
Enter the Lone Ranger
Prismark1014 February 2021
The Lone Ranger moves from the radio to television in its serialised format.
In this introduction. Texas Lone Rangers are out to get the Cavendish gang. Not realising that they have been double crossed and heading into an ambush.
Ranger Reid is badly injured but still alive. The other rangers are dead which includes his brother.
A travelling young Indian called Tonto finds Reid and nurses him back to health. Tonto came across Reid many years earlier when he was a boy and Reid helped him out. Now Tonto can now repay his kindness.
By the end of the episode. Reid is dead and transformed into the Lone Ranger but one of the gang who betrayed the rangers is injured but alive.
This is economical storytelling. It needed to be brisk and exciting. There was no doubt that the turncoat Collins was going to be shot by Cavendish.
In this introduction. Texas Lone Rangers are out to get the Cavendish gang. Not realising that they have been double crossed and heading into an ambush.
Ranger Reid is badly injured but still alive. The other rangers are dead which includes his brother.
A travelling young Indian called Tonto finds Reid and nurses him back to health. Tonto came across Reid many years earlier when he was a boy and Reid helped him out. Now Tonto can now repay his kindness.
By the end of the episode. Reid is dead and transformed into the Lone Ranger but one of the gang who betrayed the rangers is injured but alive.
This is economical storytelling. It needed to be brisk and exciting. There was no doubt that the turncoat Collins was going to be shot by Cavendish.
In the Beginning
StrictlyConfidential6 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
"Enter The Lone Ranger" (episode 1) was first aired on television September 15, 1949.
Anyway - As the story goes - Six Texas Rangers are lead into an ambush. Of the six, all are killed except one, who is nursed back to health by an Indian friend from his youth.
Anyway - As the story goes - Six Texas Rangers are lead into an ambush. Of the six, all are killed except one, who is nursed back to health by an Indian friend from his youth.
I'm a bit confused...
grizzledgeezer30 June 2013
Prior to the ambush, I was trying to figure out which of the rangers was Clayton Moore. (How can you not recognize that gravelly low baritone?) But I didn't recognize any of the voices (or faces). I was also wondering why Tonto rides Scout with a saddle. And he wears buckskins, an odd costume for an Apache.
However poor Tonto's English might be, it's better than the speech of the radio Tonto -- who was probably created (like Jimmy Olsen) to give TLR someone to talk with. His pidgin English wouldn't be so annoying if he used subject pronouns rather than object pronouns. By the way, Jay Silverheels (what a wonderful name!) was actually Harold J Smith. (Really!) His stage name came from a nickname received when he played lacrosse.
There are several origin stories, and the most-common -- in which Tonto is a friend from earlier years (in this case, Reid having saved Tonto's life) -- is used here. I've often wondered if this was an attempt (probably unconscious) to obscure the issue of the Tonto's and Reid's private relationship. (Friends are rarely intimate.) However, it's telling that, when the younger Tonto and Reid part, the former gives the latter a ring, which he puts on Reid's ring finger -- the /right/ one, "fortunately". But it's a symbolic marriage, nevertheless.
The script is amateurish, more-appropriate for an imageless radio show. (Later shows are more complex and polished, but still sometimes include unneeded dialog intended to tell the radio listener what's going on.) Cavendish's murder of the Rangers is drawn-out and verges on the sadistic. In later episodes, beatings, knifings, and killings are only rarely directly shown.
However poor Tonto's English might be, it's better than the speech of the radio Tonto -- who was probably created (like Jimmy Olsen) to give TLR someone to talk with. His pidgin English wouldn't be so annoying if he used subject pronouns rather than object pronouns. By the way, Jay Silverheels (what a wonderful name!) was actually Harold J Smith. (Really!) His stage name came from a nickname received when he played lacrosse.
There are several origin stories, and the most-common -- in which Tonto is a friend from earlier years (in this case, Reid having saved Tonto's life) -- is used here. I've often wondered if this was an attempt (probably unconscious) to obscure the issue of the Tonto's and Reid's private relationship. (Friends are rarely intimate.) However, it's telling that, when the younger Tonto and Reid part, the former gives the latter a ring, which he puts on Reid's ring finger -- the /right/ one, "fortunately". But it's a symbolic marriage, nevertheless.
The script is amateurish, more-appropriate for an imageless radio show. (Later shows are more complex and polished, but still sometimes include unneeded dialog intended to tell the radio listener what's going on.) Cavendish's murder of the Rangers is drawn-out and verges on the sadistic. In later episodes, beatings, knifings, and killings are only rarely directly shown.
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