Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)The 221 episodes of "The Lone Ranger" were originally broadcast on ABC from 1949 to 1957; and then for many years they played in local syndication. For most of the original broadcast years the series was ABC's most watched piece of programming.
This new DVD set from Pop Flix contains the first 16 episodes (15 Sept-29 Dec 1949) and for some unknown reason episode 22 from the fifth season, for a total of 17 episodes (the same 17 available on last year's Mill Creek Entertainment release so these are probably in the public domain). These sets pretty much render "The Legend of the Lone Ranger" movie superfluous as all three episodes that were combined in 1952 to form the movie are included in these releases.
These early episodes hark back to radio as there is considerably more voiceover narration used as an introduction and to introduce key plot moments.
The series itself was pure kiddie western with clear-cut good and evil distinctions and no romance. The title character (played by Clayton Moore) started out Texas Ranger John Reid. The first three episodes provide the background for his transformation to Lone Ranger status, his partnering with the Indian Tonto (Jay Silverheels), and the taming of his horse "Silver".
There is an unambiguous code of positive morality infusing each episode. The Lone Ranger is totally good but he adopts the guise of evil. While a masked man in the west was normally feared by the good citizens and an Indian was distrusted, the Lone Ranger is feared by those who would do evil. One persistent theme is that when the Lone Ranger and Tonto first encounter an average citizen they are greeted with suspicion, and by the end of the episode the citizen has been convinced of their value. The trademark ending was a secondary character asking the question: "who was that masked man?".
To really enjoy the series you must accept it for the simplistic morality tale it was intended to be. If you don't take it seriously and keep wishing for some self-reflexive campy parody elements you will only get frustrated.
Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Lone Ranger Collection (2008)
17 classic, uncut episodes from the original, action-packed TV series! This thrilling 2-DVD set chronicles the legend of the Lone Ranger and how Dan Reid (Clayton Moore) became the masked rider of the plains. Discover how he was rescued from certain death, how he found "Silver" his fabulous wild stallion, the meaning behind his black mask, why he used silver bullets, and answers to many more secrets! "Hi Yo Silver, Away!" Stars Clayton Moore as The Lone Ranger, and Jay Silverheels as his faithful companion Tonto. DISC ONE - total run time 3 hr, 13 min. Enter the Lone Ranger 9/15/1949 The Lone Ranger Fights On 9/22/1949 The Lone Ranger's Triumph 9/29/1949 Region of Old Timers 10/6/1949 Rustlers' Hideout 10/13/1949 War Horse 10/20/1949 Pete and Pedro 10/27/1949 The Renegades 11/3/1949 The Tenderfeet 11/10/1949 DISC TWO - total run time 2 hr, 50 min. High Heels 11/17/1949 Six Gun's Legacy 11/24/1949 Return of the Convict 12/1/1949 Finders Keeper 12/8/1949 The Masked Rider 12/15/1949 Old Joe's Sister 12/22/1949 Canonball McKay 12/29/1949 Message From Abe 2/7/1957
Click here for more information about Lone Ranger Collection (2008)
No comments:
Post a Comment