Earle Graser
Encyclopedia
Earle Graser was an American radio actor at radio station WXYZ, Detroit, Michigan
.
. He was a child when his family moved to Detroit, Michigan. Graser graduated from a Detroit high school and attended Wayne University in Michigan, where he earned an A.B. in oratory, drama, and interpretive reading. He also studied law for two years, earning an LL.B. (Bachelor of Laws). While working at WXYZ, he continued taking graduate classes and earned a M.A. in speech.
During high school he worked part time as a drugstore soda jerk
and delivered groceries. Earle had always wanted a nickname, but never had one until he asked his friends to call him "Barney". He got the name from a horse that pulled the grocery wagon.
In the summer of 1928, he got a job at the Michigan Theater
, part of the Kunsky Theatre chain owned by John Kunsky and George Trendle. He was an usher, doubling as the announcer for the next organ selection, and occasionally had small parts in live stage shows.
In the summer of 1931, he joined a traveling show that was performing in Michigan. The company would set up a tent for two nights, performing "The Haunted House" and "Your Uncle Dudley".
In 1932, Graser was hired as a bit player by dramatic productions director James Jewell
of Detroit radio station WXYZ.
For recreation, he enjoyed swimming, badminton and gardening. He sang bass in his church choir.
He listed his ambitions: own a farm in Connecticut, play Hamlet and teach elocution and drama at a small Eastern college.
played the Lone Ranger from January 31 to May 9 of 1933, then left the station. Graser was one of five actors who auditioned to take over the role of the Lone Ranger.
Graser was chosen to play the part of The Lone Ranger, beginning April 16, 1933. Since this was during the days of live radio broadcasts, Graser had two understudies ready to play his part, but he never missed a performance.
Three times a week, he was heard on 150 stations of the Mutual Network and on scores of independent radio stations. Each show was performed three times for live broadcasts to different time zones. Beginning in 1938, the third performance was recorded on transcription disk for stations that were not connected to the network.
Graser was allowed to take a two week vacation during 1939 and 1940. The scripts were written so that the show could continue in his absence, with the Lone Ranger reappearing just in time to resolve the story.
The creators of the Lone Ranger program decided that the Lone Ranger must remain a mystery. Graser was required to restrict his radio acting to the role of the Lone Ranger and his identity was kept secret from the general public.
John Todd, the veteran character actor who played Tonto, was a close friend. Graser and Todd frequently drove home together and stopped for a cigar and a nip and a hand of cards.
Graser and his wife were at a night club when a prize was offered for the person who could shout "Hi-Yo, Silver!" most nearly like the Ranger. Graser entered the contest, but didn't win.
Brace Beemer
appeared as the Ranger in public appearances because station owner George Trendle felt that Earl Graser did not look right for the part. Beemer was 6 foot three inches tall, had an athletic build, rode horses and was an expert shot. Graser was under six foot, slightly chubby, did not know how to ride and only shot a pistol once in his life.
On April 8, 1941, Graser was killed in Farmington, Michigan, when his car crashed into a parked truck trailer. It was surmised that he had fallen asleep at the wheel while on his way to the WXYZ studios in Detroit. He was survived by his widow, Jeanne, and a 15 month old daughter, Gabrielle.
He was buried in Detroit's Grand Lawn Cemetery.
In 2002 his home was designated as a site on the National Register of Historic Places. The marker reads --
"Site on the National Register of Historic Places
On the hillside north of this cemetery was the home of
Earle Graser and his wife Jean.
Earle Graser (1909–1941) Radio’s Original “Lone Ranger”
Few people knew Earle by his given name. Millions knew him as the
voice of radio theatres first great character – the Lone Ranger –
from 1933 to 1941
Earle resided here until his death in a tragic auto accident a few
blocks down Grand River.
May we remember him with a hearty “HI Yo Silver Away”
Beemer took over as the voice of The Lone Ranger from 1941 to the end of the series in 1955.
Most of Earle Graser's performances came before the use of transcription disks and modern audiences better remember his successor's in the role of the Lone Ranger. However, his voice continued to be heard. The radio and television series continued using his recorded voice for the famous "Hi Yo, Silver" shout.
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
.
Early life
Graser was born in Kitchener, OntarioKitchener, Ontario
The City of Kitchener is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada. It was the Town of Berlin from 1854 until 1912 and the City of Berlin from 1912 until 1916. The city had a population of 204,668 in the Canada 2006 Census...
. He was a child when his family moved to Detroit, Michigan. Graser graduated from a Detroit high school and attended Wayne University in Michigan, where he earned an A.B. in oratory, drama, and interpretive reading. He also studied law for two years, earning an LL.B. (Bachelor of Laws). While working at WXYZ, he continued taking graduate classes and earned a M.A. in speech.
During high school he worked part time as a drugstore soda jerk
Soda jerk
A soda jerk was a person — typically a youth — who operated the soda fountain in a drugstore, often for the purpose of preparing and serving ice cream soda. This was made by putting flavored syrup into a specially designed tall glass, adding carbonated water and, finally, one or two scoops of ice...
and delivered groceries. Earle had always wanted a nickname, but never had one until he asked his friends to call him "Barney". He got the name from a horse that pulled the grocery wagon.
In the summer of 1928, he got a job at the Michigan Theater
Michigan Theater
Michigan Theater or Michigan Theatre may refer to:* Michigan Theater * Michigan Theater * Michigan Theatre * Michigan Theatre, Flint, Michigan, demolished* Michigan Theatre, Lansing, Michigan...
, part of the Kunsky Theatre chain owned by John Kunsky and George Trendle. He was an usher, doubling as the announcer for the next organ selection, and occasionally had small parts in live stage shows.
In the summer of 1931, he joined a traveling show that was performing in Michigan. The company would set up a tent for two nights, performing "The Haunted House" and "Your Uncle Dudley".
In 1932, Graser was hired as a bit player by dramatic productions director James Jewell
James Jewell
James Jewell was an American radio actor, producer and director at radio station WXYZ, Detroit, Michigan.-WXYZ:In June 1932, George Trendle, the owner of radio station WXYZ, decided to drop network affiliation and produce his own radio programs. Jim Jewell was hired as the dramatic director for...
of Detroit radio station WXYZ.
For recreation, he enjoyed swimming, badminton and gardening. He sang bass in his church choir.
He listed his ambitions: own a farm in Connecticut, play Hamlet and teach elocution and drama at a small Eastern college.
The Lone Ranger
The Lone Ranger radio series premiered on January 30, 1933. George SeatonGeorge Seaton
George Seaton was an American screenwriter, playwright, film director and producer, and theatre director.Born George Stenius in South Bend, Indiana, Seaton moved to Detroit after graduating from college to work as an actor on radio station WXYZ. John L...
played the Lone Ranger from January 31 to May 9 of 1933, then left the station. Graser was one of five actors who auditioned to take over the role of the Lone Ranger.
Graser was chosen to play the part of The Lone Ranger, beginning April 16, 1933. Since this was during the days of live radio broadcasts, Graser had two understudies ready to play his part, but he never missed a performance.
Three times a week, he was heard on 150 stations of the Mutual Network and on scores of independent radio stations. Each show was performed three times for live broadcasts to different time zones. Beginning in 1938, the third performance was recorded on transcription disk for stations that were not connected to the network.
Graser was allowed to take a two week vacation during 1939 and 1940. The scripts were written so that the show could continue in his absence, with the Lone Ranger reappearing just in time to resolve the story.
The creators of the Lone Ranger program decided that the Lone Ranger must remain a mystery. Graser was required to restrict his radio acting to the role of the Lone Ranger and his identity was kept secret from the general public.
John Todd, the veteran character actor who played Tonto, was a close friend. Graser and Todd frequently drove home together and stopped for a cigar and a nip and a hand of cards.
Graser and his wife were at a night club when a prize was offered for the person who could shout "Hi-Yo, Silver!" most nearly like the Ranger. Graser entered the contest, but didn't win.
Brace Beemer
Brace Beemer
Brace Beemer was an American radio actor and announcer at radio station WXYZ, Detroit, Michigan.Born in Mount Carmel, Illinois, Beemer was six foot, three inches tall and was an expert horse rider. He served as the deep-voiced announcer for The Lone Ranger soon after its first broadcast in 1933...
appeared as the Ranger in public appearances because station owner George Trendle felt that Earl Graser did not look right for the part. Beemer was 6 foot three inches tall, had an athletic build, rode horses and was an expert shot. Graser was under six foot, slightly chubby, did not know how to ride and only shot a pistol once in his life.
On April 8, 1941, Graser was killed in Farmington, Michigan, when his car crashed into a parked truck trailer. It was surmised that he had fallen asleep at the wheel while on his way to the WXYZ studios in Detroit. He was survived by his widow, Jeanne, and a 15 month old daughter, Gabrielle.
He was buried in Detroit's Grand Lawn Cemetery.
In 2002 his home was designated as a site on the National Register of Historic Places. The marker reads --
"Site on the National Register of Historic Places
On the hillside north of this cemetery was the home of
Earle Graser and his wife Jean.
Earle Graser (1909–1941) Radio’s Original “Lone Ranger”
Few people knew Earle by his given name. Millions knew him as the
voice of radio theatres first great character – the Lone Ranger –
from 1933 to 1941
Earle resided here until his death in a tragic auto accident a few
blocks down Grand River.
May we remember him with a hearty “HI Yo Silver Away”
Beemer took over as the voice of The Lone Ranger from 1941 to the end of the series in 1955.
Most of Earle Graser's performances came before the use of transcription disks and modern audiences better remember his successor's in the role of the Lone Ranger. However, his voice continued to be heard. The radio and television series continued using his recorded voice for the famous "Hi Yo, Silver" shout.