Friday, January 30, 2015

THE LONE RANGER: Archival Documents

Helping to launch the first wave of television Westerns in the early 1950s, The Lone Ranger was among the first weekly television programs filmed (not "live") made for children. Initially adapting plots from radio scripts that aired from the 1930s to the early 1950s, the series later began offering original story concepts. Jack Wrather produced the series, under the guidance of George W. Trendle (who acted as script supervisor to ensure The Lone Ranger was not portrayed deviant from the radio program), purchased the title program and character, lock and stock, before production concluded on the 225 television episodes. Price tag was $3 million.

The enclosed are scans of various documents, clippings and correspondence related to the television series that are not only amusing, but a few worth a chuckle or two. (Click to enlarge.) By the way, the reference to Jay Silverheels having a heart attack might be a bit of a puzzle until you know that is why the character of Dan Reid appears alongside The Lone Ranger in many fourth-season episodes.