The Lone Ranger

(1938)

Western / Serial

Directed by William Witney and John English

Cast:

Lee Powell as The Lone Ranger
Chief Thundercloud as Tonto
Lynne Roberts as Joan Blanchard
Stanley Andrews as Mark Smith
George Cleveland as George Blanchard
William Farnum as Father McKim
Hal Taliaferro as Bob Stuart
Herman Brix as Bert Rogers
Lane Chandler as Dick Forrest

The Lone Ranger, that daring and resourceful masked rider of the plains, had become a favorite of radio audiences, young and old.  Republic Pictures recognized the value of this hero, and in 1938 released The Lone Ranger, a cliffhanger serial that ran for fifteen nail-biting episodes at the Saturday movie matinee.

The serial used an interesting twist to keep the audience guessing, and returning week after week:  Five Texas Rangers.  These Rangers shared hero duties, but over the course of the fifteen chapters the Rangers die heroically one after another until only one remains.  His identity is kept secret until the final chapter.  He is, literally, The Lone Ranger remaining.

The “Five Rangers” were Lee Powell, George Letz, Hal Taliaferro, Lane Chandler, and Herman Brix.  Tonto was played by Victor Daniels (aka Chief Thunder-Cloud).

Chapter Titles

1.Hi-Yo Silver
2.Thundering Earth
3.The Pitfall 
4.Agent of Treachery
5.The Steaming Cauldron 
6.Red Man's Courage 
7.Wheels of Disaster 
8.Fatal Treasure 
9.The Missing Spur 
10.Flaming Fury 
11.The Silver Bullet 
12.Escape 
13.The Fatal Plunge 
14.Messengers of Doom 
15.The Last of the Rangers