July 7, 2009: "Clayton Moore as The Lone Ranger on The Red Skelton Show": Someone had entered on the IMDB (Internet Movie Database) that Clayton appeared as The Lone Ranger on The Red Skelton Show. I did some checking and found that according to a local newspaper tv guide in December, 1955, that Clayton was advertised as appearing with Red Skelton. A check of the New York Times tv guide mentioned only that Bill Williams, tv's "Kit Carson" star, was appearing on the show as a guest in a comedy sketch. I put together a small page with both ads on it: "The Lone Ranger & Red Skelton"
June 26, 2009: "John Hart's Lone Ranger episodes": On Monday, July 13th, season 3 episodes, starring John Hart as the Lone Ranger, will begin to be broadcast on WHT. The episodes will continue to be broadcast through part of September.
May 30, 2009: "The Lone Ranger & Tonto coming to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad": Thanks to Eric French for sending me this interesting bit of information. If you're going to be in or near Bryson City, North Carolina this weekend or on August 22nd & 23rd and August 29th & 30th, you might want to stop by to see The Lone Ranger & Tonto save the day at the Historic Bryson City depot! Looks like you can listen to music, get a train ride, be held up and rescued by our two heroes. Check out the brochure for this event at the following web site: "The Lone Ranger & Tonto at Bryson City Depot"
May 21, 2009: "Steve Canyon, Vol. # 2, with Chuck COurtney episode": Chuck Courtney fans might want to add volume # 2 of "The Complete Steve Canyon on TV". Volume 2 is a 2 disc set and contains the episode "Operation Big Thunder" which was first broadcast on January 3, 1959 and Chuck appears as a tough guy. There are 12 episodes of the Steve Canyon shows in this set and are beautifully done. I'll try to get some screen shots up from Chuck's episode, in the next few days. You can order this volume as well as volume # 1 from: "Steve Canyon, Volume # 2"
May 16, 2009: "Limited Edition - 75th Anniversary Lone Ranger Statue by Dynamite": Thanks to Ken Pope for informing me of the pending July, 2009 release of a limited edition (75 statues) of Dynamite's 75th Anniversary Lone Ranger Statue. Ken also told me that there is a Pre-sale auction on Ebay also, for 3 of the statues, if that interests you. This is different from the 75th anniversary Lone Ranger bust. You can view it here: "Lone Ranger 75th Anniversary Statue"
May 8, 2009: "Lone Ranger Mask on Antiques Roadshow": Actually, a Lone Ranger mask was appraised on an episode of the Antiques Roadshow several years ago. Bob Booth directed me to the episode on the Antiques Roadshow archives web site along with a transcript of the appraiser and mask owner talking about the mask and a photo of the mask. You can also watch the video of that portion of the episode as well. It was Episode: Reno Hour 2, Season 9. It also ran later on the second hour of a special Antiques Roadshow episode titled "Fame & Fortune".You can see it all here: "Lone RangerMask - Antiques Roadshow" Thanks to Bob for the information who got the information from Margie who has a Rifleman web site!
May 2, 2009: Clayton Moore in "Frontier Investigator": I have added a new web page with some screen saves from the 1949 movie "Frontier Investigator" in which Clayton had a role as Scott Garnett. You can find the permanent link to it on my front page by clicking on "Clayton Moore Film Credits" and scrolling down to the hot link: "Clayton Moore Film Credits" This is another Allan "Rocky" Lane starring film that Clayton appeared in.
April 28, 2009: "Lionel Lone Ranger Train Set Update": Thanks to Tony Giordano who passed along some information that he found out about the Lone Ranger train set by Lionel. Tony said he just retirned from attending the Train Collectors Association Meet in York, PA. Tony said he spoke with some people from Lionel who informed him that the Lionel Lone Ranger train set will be available in August, 2009. If you want to take another look at it, go to the following link, go down to the bottom of the page and use the right arrow key to go to pages 32 & 33: "Lionel Lone RangerWild West Set"
April 24, 2009: Lone Ranger movie rumors: Joe Southern, of the Lone Ranger Fan Club, passed along a couple of interesting web sites, including an MTV blog site. Are these good or bad news items? Read and you can decide. Here are the two web sites and thanks to Joe for sending them along to me: "Lone Ranger in 3D?" and this one: "Lone Ranger & Green Hornet movies linked?"
April 23, 2009: "American Profile magazine": I read through the April 5 - 11, 2009 issue of American Profile magazine yesterday and on page 4 there is acolumn titled ASK. Readers can ask questions and this issue had a a woman asking for information about Clayton Moore. The answer was just a paragraph long but included a quote from Dawn Moore in regards to the new stamp coming out in August. They also included a black & white photo of Clayton & Silver. You can view the question & the answer & be sure to watch the changing photos at the top of the page for a portion of the photo of Clayton & Silver as it rotates, here: "American Profile - Clayton Moore"
April 20, 2009: Clayton Moore in "Sheriff of Wichita": I have added a new web page with some screen saves from the 1949 movie "Sheriff of Wichita" in which Clayton had a key role as Lt. Raymond d'Arcy. You can find the permanent link to it on my front page by clicking on "Clayton Moore Film Credits" and scrolling down to the hot link: "Clayton Moore Film Credits" This is another Allan "Rocky" Lane starring film that Clayton appeared in.
April 18, 2009: "Lone Ranger Comic Strip book coming in November, 2009": Thanks to Stan Landman for telling me about a new book, due out on November 15, 2009 by Dynamite Entertainment. "This deluxe hardcover collection of Cary Bates and Russ Heath's Lone Ranger comic strip features over 500 comic strips originally syndicated from 1981 through 1984, complete with historical material." It will have 396 pages but not many other details yet but you can find it at Amazon.com: "The Lone Ranger Strip Archive HC (Hardcover)"
April 17, 2009: Clayton Moore in "Captive of Billy the Kid": I have added a new web page with screen saves from the 1952 movie "Captive of Billy the Kid" in which Clayton had a big role as a man named Paul Howard. You can find the permanent link to it on my front page by clicking on "Clayton Moore Film Credits" and scrolling down to the hot link: "Clayton Moore Film Credits" Clayton plays the part of a "good guy" in this Allan "Rocky" Lane starring film.
April 5, 2009: Clayton in "Radio Hams": Thanks to Bobby Adams for directing me to the You Tube website where you can view a good quality copy of "Radio Hams", a 1939 short film with Clayton Moore appearing twice, very briefly, as the ship's radio operator. "Radio Hams" can also be seen tomorrow evening (6:30 p.m. Central time) on the Turner Classic Movies channel and repeats again on April 26th. Check my TV schedule for further details. If you don't have TCM, check out the You Tube version here: "Radio Hams" on You Tube with Clayton Moore
April 5, 2009: Lone Ranger newspaper strips comics: Lone Ranger fan Steve Jorgensen passed on information for the fans interested in the old Lone Ranger newspaper comic strips. Here are a couple of sources of old Lone Ranger comic strips that Steve found: "STRIP ADVENTURE NO. 8" and "Lone Ranger 1993 newspaper strip reprints" and a 3rd one that I have mentioned several years ago: "Comic Strip Showcase, Volume 1: Starring The Lone Ranger"
April 2, 2009: Rick Bulger's "Meet the Man Behind the Mask" is updated: Rick has informed me that he has added the audio portion of Clayton's answers to the questions he posed in a radio interview in 1979. It's nice to hear Clayton's voice again. In the future, you can find Rick's web site on my Lone Ranger Related Links page, found on my front page. You can check out Rick's web site and be sure to click on the Interview here: "Rick Bulger's interview with Clayton in 1979"
April 2, 2009: The Lone Ranger has new Owners?: Thanks to Joe Southern for passing along this interesting bit of information. It appears that The Lone Ranger, will once again, have a new owner. I'll include the web page with the information but it appears that a U. S. company called Boomerang Media is buying The Lone Ranger and other brand names from Entertainment Rights PLC. Boomerang Media is being backed by a Chicago-based private-equity firm, GTCR Golder Rauner. I don't know if it's a completed deal yet or not but it will be good to have it back in the U.S.A. and hopefully, this company will manage it better. You can read all about it at the Chicago Tribune web site: "Entertainment Rights sells The Lone Ranger?"
March 26, 2009: "John Alvin Died": I just learned that John Alvin Hoffstadt, usually credited as John Alvin, died February 27, 2009 from complications after a fall. John appeared in many films and television shows, including westerns. John also appeared in 5 episodes of The Lone Ranger: "The Masked Rider" December 15, 1949 Episode # 14, "Bullets for Ballots" May 11, 1950 Episode # 35, "The Black Widow" August 24, 1950 Episode # 50, "Trouble at Black Rock" February 8, 1951 Episode # 74 and "The New Neighbor" December 18, 1952 Episode # 93. John was born October 24, 1917, in Chicago, Illinois. John is survived by his wife, daughter, son and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Deepest sympathy to John's family and friends for their loss.
March 22, 2009: Updated the Clayton Moore Stamp Campaign page: I updated the Campaign for a Stamp page today to reflect the successful stamp campaign and to include a note I received from Dawn Moore, Clayton's daughter, thanking everyone who contributed in any way to the successful campaign. Check it out here: "Clayton Moore/The Lone Ranger Stamp page updated!"
March 11, 2009: "Three seasons of "The Lone Ranger" available in Australia": I see that a company in Australia is selling the first three seasons of "The Lone Ranger" as separate seasons. The distributor of the dvds is listed as Sony Pictures. Season 1, an 8 disc set, has a bonus feature of a the first episode of "The Lone Ranger" Animated Series. Season 2, a 4 disc set, has a bonus feature of the original "The Lone Ranger" Opening. Season 3, with John Hart as the Lone Ranger, an 8 disc set, actually includes a cover with John Hart on it and a bonus feature of "Lassie" guest starring The Lone Ranger - "Peace Patrol". *Unless you have a DVD player that plays the PAL format - Region 4 (Australian & New Zealand format), don't bother purchasing these sets. I would be curious to hear from anyone who has viewed these Lone Ranger episodes. I've seen them advertised on Ebay as well. The cover of the Season 1 set has the same photo of Clayton & Silver that will appear on the postage stamp in August. For your information only! You can view the covers of the 3 seasons and both the 1956 & 1958 movie covers as well here: "Australian Lone Ranger DVD sets"
March 5, 2009: "The Silver Bullet" newsletter will be late! Joe Southern reports today that "The Silver Bullet" newsletter is going to be a bit late but wil be mailed once they get it printed.
March 4, 2009: "Lone Ranger: Adventures with Historical Western Figures in Old Time Radio" by Tim DeForest! Lone Ranger radio show fans might find this article by Tim DeForest an interesting read. Tim writes about the interesting historical figures that the Lone Ranger met in shows that were broadcast in 1944. Characters from Kit Carson to Teddy Roosevelt made their appearances in different radio shows. You can read the article on the Old Time Radio Show Catalog web site and can be found here: "Tim DeForest & the OTRCat.com"
March 1, 2009: Russ Conway died January 12, 2009! I've learned that actor Russ Conway (Russell Zink) died on January 12, 2009 in Laguna Woods, CA at the age of 95. Russ appeared in 4 episodes of The Lone Ranger: "Sheep Thieves", "Sinner by Proxy", "A Son by Adoption" and "The Bounty Hunter". Russ was well known as the father of The Hardy Boys, Fenton Hardy, on that popular Disney t.v. series first seen on the Mickey Mouse Club. Russ played in numerous television shows and movies in his long career as actor. Belated deepest sympathy to the Zink family for their loss.
February 21, 2009: "Lone Ranger Wild West Set" by Lionel! Thanks to Richard L. Smith for alerting me and all Lone Ranger fans to a very nice looking Lionel train set. Included in the set is an "operating Lone Ranger and outlaw car", a General-style steam locomotive, a gondola car with load and a baggage car with Wild West sounds! Also included are Lone Ranger & Tonto figures as well as Silver and Scout. Check out the 2009 Lionel catalog with pictures of the Lone Ranger train set set and a full description of it here: Go to the bottom of the page to find the page number and arrow keys. Use the right arrow keys and go to pages 32 & 33 to see the Lone Ranger train set. "Lionel Lone Ranger Wild West Set" Thanks again to Richard for making me aware of this set!
January 30, 2009: Jay Silverheels photos on the January 25th SAG Awards broadcast! Ken Pope has informed me that two photos of Jay Silverheels were shown during the January 25th broadcast of the Screen Actors Guild Awards program. Ken said that photos of Jay in his role as Tonto and a second photo of Jay in his later career years, was shown during the Trailblazers feature. Thanks for the information Ken!
January 30, 2009: WHT schedule changes! For those of you who get the WHT channel, note that the two Bat Masterson episodes that John Hart appeared in will be shown in February but the dates have changed to Feb. 24th & 25th, due to schedule changes. I have noted the changes on the TV Schedule page.
January 27, 2009: A "Supernatural" Lone Ranger in the 2010 movie? Joe Southern of the Lone Ranger Fan Club sent the following link to me today. In a magazine interview, movie producer, Jerry Bruckheimer, said that the new Lone Ranger movie: "I think it'll have a supernatural element to it. It's the same writers as Pirates and it'll have a similar kind of thing to it." "Supernatural Lone Ranger"
January 18, 2009: Al Dittrich's Lone Ranger Collection now on the JUST KIDS NOSTALGIA website! Al Dittrich's huge Lone Ranger collection is now on the JUST KIDS NOSTALGIA website. Al's Lone Ranger collection did not meet the reserve price on Ebay, so the collection has been moved to Just Kids Nostalgia. The last bid for everything at the Ebay auction was for $62,627.00 If you want to see some nice looking Lone Ranger collectibles, browse through Al's collection. Each item is now available for separate bidding: "Al Dittrich's Lone Ranger Memorabilia Auction"
January 15, 2009: From Earle Graser to Brace Beemer! Jim Widner has put together a web page about the death of Earle Graser in 1941 and includes the three radio episodes which involve the transition from Earle Graser as the Lone Ranger to the new Lone Ranger, Brace Beemer. Also included is the news story about the death of Graser, from the New York Times on April 9, 1941. You can find it here: "Radio in transition - The Lone Ranger"
January 14, 2009: Chuck Courtney in "Steve Canyon" in an upcoming DVD release! Chuck Courtney fans will have an opportunity to add another television appearance of Chuck Courtney to their collection. Chuck appeared in one episode of the 1958-59 television series "Steve Canyon" titled "Operation Big Thunder". The episode is included in Volume Two which will be released on or about March 3, 2009. Volume One has already been released and is available for purchase. Volume Two with the Chuck Courtney episode, "Operation Big Thunder", is available at the pre-order price of $19.95 with world-wide shipping & handling included, for a limited time. I suggest that you pick up Volume One too, as that volume also contains an episode with DeForest Kelly who also made 3 appearances on The Lone Ranger. A photo of DeForest is also seen on the following web site from his episode "Operation Jettison". The 3rd and final volume of "Steve Canyon" will follow volume two. These episodes are/will be fully restored and will look better than when they first appeared on television. Here's the link to get additional details including a picture of Chuck in a scene from his episode: "Chuck Courtney in Steve Canyon"
January 11, 2009: Al Dittrich's Lone Ranger Collection now on Ebay! Al Dittrich's huge Lone Ranger collection is now on Ebay. This will be your only chance to bid and obtain the entire collection. If the reserve is not met by the January 16th ending time, each item will be listed separately, beginning January 17th, exclusively on the JUST KIDS NOSTALGIA website. See everything in Al's collection here: "Al Dittrich's Lone Ranger Memorabilia Auction" **NOTE: The link to Ebay was changed due to problems with the cap guns being listed. This has now been corrected!