The Lone Ranger (serial)
Encyclopedia
The Lone Ranger is a 1938 American Republic
Movie serial. It was the ninth of the sixty-six serials produced by Republic, the fourth western
(a third of Republic's serials were westerns) and the first of 1938. The serial was unseen for a long time after its original release but an authentic re-creation was assembled and released in DVD form in 2009 using sound and picture elements from existing foreign versions by Eric Stedman of the Serial Squadron, an organization which restores classic cliffhanger serials.
leads a band of deserters to conquer Texas
and rule it as a dictator
. In one of his first actions, he captures and assumes the identity of Texas' new Finance Commissioner, Colonel Marcus Jeffries, after having the real man murdered. When a contingent of Texas Rangers
enters the territory, Snead, one of Smith's men, leads them into an ambush by Smith's "troopers". The Rangers are apparently wiped out, although one injured survivor is left. The survivor, nursed back to health by Tonto, swears to avenge the massacre and defeat "Colonel Jeffries" and his men.
Supporting cast
Additional
for a Lone Ranger serial, and the right to release a condensed version, was signed in June 1937. Trendle and The Lone Ranger Inc. were paid $18,750 plus 10% of any rental share above a $390,000 minimum.
There was some disagreement between Republic and Trendle but the contract gave Republic authority over the script and characters. Republic planned that the Lone Ranger would unmask in the last chapter, revealing himself to Joan Blanchard (Lynn Roberts) as Allen King (Lee Powell). Prior to this the issue was confused by two voices for the Lone Ranger (mainly Billy Bletcher but with Earle Graser from the radio series providing the signature cry of "Hi-Yo Silver") and his stunt double (Dave Sharpe). Trendle objected to Republic's plans for the serial. However, he could not prevent it as the contract gave Republic the right to do whatever they pleased with the character. Republic were notorious for making changes in their adaptations, the worst case of which was Captain America (1944), Prior to the reveal, the audience had been presented with several candidates who may have been the Lone Ranger but only one survived to the end. A similar approach was taken with The Masked Marvel
(1943).
After the second Lone Ranger serial, which featured Robert Livingston as the title character, who appeared in a mostly-unmasked state, George Trendle decided to dissolve his relationship with Republic and offer the property to another studio. After apparently ordering all prints of both Republic serials to be destroyed to prevent further exhibition, Trendle took with him the Ranger's origin story as presented in the serial, and rights to the serial's music, both of which were later used on the radio and other media versions of the character's adventures.
The Lone Ranger was budgeted at $160,315 although the final negative cost
was $168,117 (a $7,802, or 4.9%, overspend). It was the most expensive Republic serial until the release of Dick Tracy Returns
later in 1938.
It was filmed between 28 November and 31 December 1937. At nineteen days, this was the shortest production for a Republic serial until Zombies of the Stratosphere
in 1952
. The serial's production number was 794.
The Lone Ranger was the biggest serial event since Universal's Flash Gordon.
Following the end of his contract with Republic, Lee Powell toured with a small circus as "The Lone Ranger of the Movies". This was not successful, possibly because he had never actually been billed as the Lone Ranger due to the element of mystery in the script. He was eventually forced to stop by the copyright holders.
A 69-minute feature film version, created by editing the serial footage together, was released on 10 April 1940. It was one of fourteen feature films Republic made from their serials. The working title
of this film was Return of the Ranger but it was released as Hi-Yo-Silver.
The Lone Ranger was a huge financial success for both Republic and Trendle. The serial also created new interest in the radio version and an additional hundred or so stations picked up the show. King Features even came out with a comic strip.
The Lone Ranger was superior in terms of plot and execution when compared to the average western serial, although it contained many features standard to the genre such as explosions, runaway stagecoaches and falls from a great height.
According to Cline, The Lone Ranger was probably the best of the Western serials and that it should be included in "any list of the ten best sound serials of all."
Source:
Republic Pictures
Republic Pictures was an independent film production-distribution corporation with studio facilities, operating from 1934 through 1959, and was best known for specializing in westerns, movie serials and B films emphasizing mystery and action....
Movie serial. It was the ninth of the sixty-six serials produced by Republic, the fourth western
Western (genre)
The Western is a genre of various visual arts, such as film, television, radio, literature, painting and others. Westerns are devoted to telling stories set primarily in the latter half of the 19th century in the American Old West, hence the name. Some Westerns are set as early as the Battle of...
(a third of Republic's serials were westerns) and the first of 1938. The serial was unseen for a long time after its original release but an authentic re-creation was assembled and released in DVD form in 2009 using sound and picture elements from existing foreign versions by Eric Stedman of the Serial Squadron, an organization which restores classic cliffhanger serials.
Plot
In 1865, Captain Mark Smith of the Confederate ArmyConfederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
leads a band of deserters to conquer Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
and rule it as a dictator
Dictator
A dictator is a ruler who assumes sole and absolute power but without hereditary ascension such as an absolute monarch. When other states call the head of state of a particular state a dictator, that state is called a dictatorship...
. In one of his first actions, he captures and assumes the identity of Texas' new Finance Commissioner, Colonel Marcus Jeffries, after having the real man murdered. When a contingent of Texas Rangers
Texas Ranger Division
The Texas Ranger Division, commonly called the Texas Rangers, is a law enforcement agency with statewide jurisdiction in Texas, and is based in Austin, Texas...
enters the territory, Snead, one of Smith's men, leads them into an ambush by Smith's "troopers". The Rangers are apparently wiped out, although one injured survivor is left. The survivor, nursed back to health by Tonto, swears to avenge the massacre and defeat "Colonel Jeffries" and his men.
Cast
Main cast- The Lone RangerThe Lone RangerThe Lone Ranger is a fictional masked Texas Ranger who, with his Native American companion Tonto, fights injustice in the American Old West. The character has become an enduring icon of American culture....
- Silver King as Silver. (Silver Chief in the sequel)
- TontoTontoTonto may mean:* Tonto, a band of Apache native Americans.* Tonto, the fictional sidekick to the Lone Ranger.* "Tonto", a song by the American math rock band Battles, from their album Mirrored.** "Tonto+", the EP centered around said song....
- Lynne RobertsLynne RobertsLynne Roberts, born Theda May Roberts was an American film actress who appeared exclusively in B-movies.-Career:...
as Joan Blanchard, George Blanchard's daughterDaughterA daughter is a female offspring; a girl, woman, or female animal in relation to her parents. The male equivalent is a son. Analogously the name is used on several areas to show relations between groups or elements.-Etymology:... - Stanley AndrewsStanley AndrewsStanley Andrews was an American actor perhaps best known as the voice of Daddy Warbucks on the radio program Little Orphan Annie and later as "The Old Ranger", the host of Death Valley Days.-Early life:...
as Mark Smith, former Captain in the Confederate ArmyConfederate States ArmyThe Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
working under the identity of the murdered Colonel Marcus Jefferies, State Finance Commissioner - George ClevelandGeorge ClevelandGeorge Alan Cleveland was a Canadian film actor. He appeared in over 180 films between 1933 and 1954.-Career:...
as George Blanchard, emissary from Washington - William FarnumWilliam FarnumWilliam Farnum was a major movie actor. One of three brothers, Farnum grew up in a family of actors. He made his acting debut at the age of ten in Richmond, Virginia in a production of Julius Caesar, with Edwin Booth playing the title character...
as Father McKim, local priestPriestA priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
and ally of the Lone Ranger who sends messages via carrier pigeonCarrier pigeonA carrier pigeon is a homing pigeon that is used to carry messages. Using pigeons to carry messages is generally called "pigeon post". Most homing or racing type varieties are used to carry messages. There is no specific breed actually called "carrier pigeon"...
Supporting cast
- Chief ThundercloudChief ThundercloudChief Thundercloud, was an American character actor in westerns.Information about Thundercloud is vague...
as Tonto - Hal TaliaferroWally WalesWally Wales was an American film actor who also appeared in many films under the name Hal Taliaferro. He appeared in over 220 films between 1921 and 1964.-Biography:...
as Bob Stuart, possibly the Lone Ranger - Herman BrixBruce BennettBruce Bennett was an American actor and Olympic silver medalist shot putter. During the 1930s, he went by his real name, Herman Brix .-Early life and Olympics:...
as Bert Rogers, possibly the Lone Ranger - Lee PowellLee Powell (actor)Lee Powell was a film actor famed for the leading roles in several serials. During World War II he enlisted in the U.S...
as Allen King, possibly the Lone Ranger - Lane ChandlerLane ChandlerLane Chandler was an American actor specializing in Westerns.-Early life:He was born as Robert Chandler Oakes on a ranch near Culbertson, Montana, the son of a horse rancher. At an early age, the family relocated to Helena, Montana, where he graduated from high school...
as Dick Forrest, possibly the Lone Ranger - George Letz as Jim Clark, possibly the Lone Ranger
- John Merton as "Kester", one of Smith's henchmen, a deserter and former captain in the Confederate ArmyConfederate States ArmyThe Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
- Sammy McKimSammy McKimSammy McKim was a Canadian film actor.He was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, and died in Burbank, California from heart failure.-Selected filmography:* Heart of the Rockies...
as "Sammy" - Tom LondonTom LondonTom London was an American actor who, according to "The Guinness Book of Movie Records," is credited with appearing in the most movies in the history of Hollywood...
as "Felton", one of Smith's henchmen, a deserter and former sergeantSergeantSergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
in the Confederate ArmyConfederate States ArmyThe Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the... - Raphael Bennet as Black bart Taggart, one of Smith's henchmen
- Maston WilliamsMaston WilliamsMaston Williams was an American actor who appeared in films during the 1930s. He appeared in over 40 films between 1931 and 1939.-Selected filmography:* Clearing the Range * Without Honor...
as Joe Snead, one of Smith's henchmen - Frank McGlynn Sr.Frank McGlynn Sr.Frank McGlynn, Sr. was an American stage and film actor who found success later in life playing Abraham Lincoln.-Early life:...
as Abraham LincolnAbraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
, assassinated President of the United States (scene deleted from serial release, only appears in feature version "Hi Yo Silver")
Additional
- Billy BletcherBilly BletcherWilliam "Billy" Bletcher was an American actor, comedian, and voice artist, a native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.-Career:...
as voice of The Lone Ranger - Earle GraserEarle GraserEarle Graser was an American radio actor at radio station WXYZ, Detroit, Michigan.-Early life:Graser was born in Kitchener, Ontario. 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...
as the voice of The Lone Ranger when calling "Hi-Yo Silver!", Graser was the voice of the Lone Ranger on the initial radio series.
Production
A contract between Republic and George W. TrendleGeorge W. Trendle
George Washington Trendle was a Detroit lawyer and businessman, best known as the producer of the Lone Ranger radio and television programs along with The Green Hornet. He is entombed in Detroit's Woodlawn Cemetery.-Movie theaters:...
for a Lone Ranger serial, and the right to release a condensed version, was signed in June 1937. Trendle and The Lone Ranger Inc. were paid $18,750 plus 10% of any rental share above a $390,000 minimum.
There was some disagreement between Republic and Trendle but the contract gave Republic authority over the script and characters. Republic planned that the Lone Ranger would unmask in the last chapter, revealing himself to Joan Blanchard (Lynn Roberts) as Allen King (Lee Powell). Prior to this the issue was confused by two voices for the Lone Ranger (mainly Billy Bletcher but with Earle Graser from the radio series providing the signature cry of "Hi-Yo Silver") and his stunt double (Dave Sharpe). Trendle objected to Republic's plans for the serial. However, he could not prevent it as the contract gave Republic the right to do whatever they pleased with the character. Republic were notorious for making changes in their adaptations, the worst case of which was Captain America (1944), Prior to the reveal, the audience had been presented with several candidates who may have been the Lone Ranger but only one survived to the end. A similar approach was taken with The Masked Marvel
The Masked Marvel
The Masked Marvel was a 12-chapter film serial created by Republic Pictures, who produced many of the best known of the serials. It was Republic's thirty-first serial, of the sixty-six they produced.-Plot:...
(1943).
After the second Lone Ranger serial, which featured Robert Livingston as the title character, who appeared in a mostly-unmasked state, George Trendle decided to dissolve his relationship with Republic and offer the property to another studio. After apparently ordering all prints of both Republic serials to be destroyed to prevent further exhibition, Trendle took with him the Ranger's origin story as presented in the serial, and rights to the serial's music, both of which were later used on the radio and other media versions of the character's adventures.
The Lone Ranger was budgeted at $160,315 although the final negative cost
Negative cost
Negative cost is the cost of actually producing and shooting a film. It does not include such costs as distribution and promotion.Low-budget movies, for example The Blair Witch Project, can have promotional expenses that are much larger than the negative cost.The term comes from the costs up to the...
was $168,117 (a $7,802, or 4.9%, overspend). It was the most expensive Republic serial until the release of Dick Tracy Returns
Dick Tracy Returns
Dick Tracy Returns is a Republic Movie serial based on the Dick Tracy comic strip. It was the eleventh of the sixty six serials Republic produced and a sequel to the 1937 serial Dick Tracy, with Ralph Byrd reprising his role as the title character...
later in 1938.
It was filmed between 28 November and 31 December 1937. At nineteen days, this was the shortest production for a Republic serial until Zombies of the Stratosphere
Zombies of the Stratosphere
Zombies of the Stratosphere was intended as the second serial featuring "new hero" Commando Cody and the third 12-chapter serial featuring the rocket-powered flying suit introduced in King of the Rocket Men...
in 1952
1952 in film
The year 1952 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 10 - Cecil B. DeMille's circus epic, The Greatest Show on Earth, premieres at Radio City Music Hall in New York City....
. The serial's production number was 794.
The Lone Ranger was the biggest serial event since Universal's Flash Gordon.
Following the end of his contract with Republic, Lee Powell toured with a small circus as "The Lone Ranger of the Movies". This was not successful, possibly because he had never actually been billed as the Lone Ranger due to the element of mystery in the script. He was eventually forced to stop by the copyright holders.
Stunts
- David Sharpe as The Lone Ranger
- Yakima CanuttYakima CanuttYakima Canutt , also known as Yak Canutt, was an American rodeo rider, actor, stuntman and action director.-Biography:...
- Ken Cooper
- Duke Green
- Eddie Juaregui
- George MagrillGeorge MagrillGeorge Magrill , was an American film actor. He appeared in 326 films between 1923 and 1952.He was born in Brooklyn, New York, was married to Ramona Oliver, and had a daughter named Marilynn...
- Loren Riebe
- Duke Taylor
- Bill Yrigoyen
- Joe Yrigoyen
Theatrical
The Lone Rangers official release date is 12 February 1938, although this is actually the date the seventh chapter was made available to film exchanges.A 69-minute feature film version, created by editing the serial footage together, was released on 10 April 1940. It was one of fourteen feature films Republic made from their serials. The working title
Working title
A working title, sometimes called a production title, is the temporary name of a product or project used during its development, usually used in filmmaking, television production, novel, video game, or music album.-Purpose:...
of this film was Return of the Ranger but it was released as Hi-Yo-Silver.
The Lone Ranger was a huge financial success for both Republic and Trendle. The serial also created new interest in the radio version and an additional hundred or so stations picked up the show. King Features even came out with a comic strip.
Critical reception
In the words of Harmon and Glut, the serial contains "tight plotting that became certainly atypical of Republic serials." Most serials introduced all the characters and plot elements in the first chapter. The Lone Ranger, however, added new elements during the course of the serial. In chapter eight the outlaw Jeffries substitutes Confederate money for the local taxes. The tax silver then becomes one of the main focal points of the plot. Another development occurs in chapter ten when Jeffries tries to force Joan to marry him, which was an unusual plot element for a sound serial.The Lone Ranger was superior in terms of plot and execution when compared to the average western serial, although it contained many features standard to the genre such as explosions, runaway stagecoaches and falls from a great height.
According to Cline, The Lone Ranger was probably the best of the Western serials and that it should be included in "any list of the ten best sound serials of all."
Chapter Titles
- Hi-Yo Silver (30 min 17s)
- Thundering Earth (18 min 22s)
- The Pitfall (16 min 43s)
- Agent of Treachery (16 min 39s)
- The Steaming Cauldron (16 min 17s)
- Red Man's Courage (16 min 28s)
- Wheels of Disaster (15 min 58s)
- Fatal Treasure (16 min 54s)
- The Missing Spur (16 min 35s)
- Flaming Fury (16 min 33s)
- The Silver Bullet (16 min 18s)
- Escape (16 min 22s)
- The Fatal Plunge (16 min 37s) -- Re-Cap Chapter
- Messengers of Doom (16 min 49s)
- The Last of the Rangers (17 min 03s)
Source:
Cliffhangers
- Hi-Yo Silver: The Lone Ranger is trampled by the ConfederateConfederate States ArmyThe Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
deserters. - Thundering Earth: The Lone Ranger, Joan and George Blanchard are caught in a landslideLandslideA landslide or landslip is a geological phenomenon which includes a wide range of ground movement, such as rockfalls, deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows, which can occur in offshore, coastal and onshore environments...
caused by an explosionExplosionAn explosion is a rapid increase in volume and release of energy in an extreme manner, usually with the generation of high temperatures and the release of gases. An explosion creates a shock wave. If the shock wave is a supersonic detonation, then the source of the blast is called a "high explosive"...
. - The Pitfall: The Lone Ranger falls into a spiked pit trapTrapping pitTrapping pits are deep pits dug into the ground, or built from stone, in order to trap animals.European rock drawings and cave paintings reveal that the elk and moose have been hunted since the stone age using trapping pits. In Northern Scandinavia one can still find remains of trapping pits used...
. - Agent of Treachery: With the Lone Ranger knocked unconscious, one of Smith's henchmen attempts to remove his mask. This is "one of the weaker cliffhangers of modern serials" in which the Lone Ranger is hit on the head by a hand thrown rock.
- The Steaming Cauldron: Rescuing Smith's ungrateful henchmanHenchmanHenchman referred originally to one who attended on a horse for his employer, that is, a horse groom. Hence, like constable and marshal, also originally stable staff, henchman became the title of a subordinate official in a royal court or noble household...
, Taggart, the Lone Ranger is caught in the eruption of a geyserGeyserA geyser is a spring characterized by intermittent discharge of water ejected turbulently and accompanied by a vapour phase . The word geyser comes from Geysir, the name of an erupting spring at Haukadalur, Iceland; that name, in turn, comes from the Icelandic verb geysa, "to gush", the verb...
. - Red Man's Courage: Attempting to rescue Tonto, being burned at the stake by ComancheComancheThe Comanche are a Native American ethnic group whose historic range consisted of present-day eastern New Mexico, southern Colorado, northeastern Arizona, southern Kansas, all of Oklahoma, and most of northwest Texas. Historically, the Comanches were hunter-gatherers, with a typical Plains Indian...
s who have found silverSilverSilver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical symbol Ag and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal...
bulletBulletA bullet is a projectile propelled by a firearm, sling, or air gun. Bullets do not normally contain explosives, but damage the intended target by impact and penetration...
s at the scene of a killing, the Lone Ranger is thrown from Silver and attacked. - Wheels of Disaster: The Loan Ranger and Joan are blown up while aboard a wagon full of gunpowderGunpowderGunpowder, also known since in the late 19th century as black powder, was the first chemical explosive and the only one known until the mid 1800s. It is a mixture of sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate - with the sulfur and charcoal acting as fuels, while the saltpeter works as an oxidizer...
. - Fatal Treasure: Bob Stuart and Dick Forrest, both potentially the Lone Ranger, are caught in a wellWater wellA water well is an excavation or structure created in the ground by digging, driving, boring or drilling to access groundwater in underground aquifers. The well water is drawn by an electric submersible pump, a trash pump, a vertical turbine pump, a handpump or a mechanical pump...
as Kester fires on it with a cannonCannonA cannon is any piece of artillery that uses gunpowder or other usually explosive-based propellents to launch a projectile. Cannon vary in caliber, range, mobility, rate of fire, angle of fire, and firepower; different forms of cannon combine and balance these attributes in varying degrees,...
. - The Missing Spur: Kester rips off one of the Lone Ranger's spurSpurA spur is a metal tool designed to be worn in pairs on the heels of riding boots for the purpose of directing a horse to move forward or laterally while riding. It is usually used to refine the riding aids and to back up the natural aids . The spur is used in every equestrian discipline...
s and notices its absence on one of his captives. - Flaming Fury: The Lone Ranger and Tonto barricade themselves inside a barn, which catches fire and collapses.
- The Silver Bullet: Bob Stuart is badly wounded in a gun fight and about to be finished off by one of Smith's henchmen.
- Escape: Losing control of the reins of a stagecoach, the Lone Ranger (with Joan and George Blanchard), fall over an cliffCliffIn geography and geology, a cliff is a significant vertical, or near vertical, rock exposure. Cliffs are formed as erosion landforms due to the processes of erosion and weathering that produce them. Cliffs are common on coasts, in mountainous areas, escarpments and along rivers. Cliffs are usually...
. - The Fatal Plunge: Dick Forrest tackles Felton from a caveCaveA cave or cavern is a natural underground space large enough for a human to enter. The term applies to natural cavities some part of which is in total darkness. The word cave also includes smaller spaces like rock shelters, sea caves, and grottos.Speleology is the science of exploration and study...
ledge and both fall to the floor below. - Messengers of Doom: The Lone Ranger is caught in a cave-inCave-inA cave-in is a collapse of a geologic formation, mine or structure which typically occurs during mining or tunneling. Geologic structures prone to cave-ins include alvar, tsingy and other limestone formations, but can also include lava tubes and a variety of other subsurface rock formations.In...
caused by gunfire.
Resolutions
- Thundering Earth: The Lone Ranger disrupts the oncoming stampedeStampedeA stampede is an act of mass impulse among herd animals or a crowd of people in which the herd collectively begins running with no clear direction or purpose....
with gunfire. - The Pitfall: The Lone Ranger takes cover under a ledge. Joan and George Blanchard outrace the landslideLandslideA landslide or landslip is a geological phenomenon which includes a wide range of ground movement, such as rockfalls, deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows, which can occur in offshore, coastal and onshore environments...
in their coach. - Agent of Treachery: The Lone Ranger escapes by clinging to the walls of the trap and climbing out.
- The Steaming Cauldron: Tonto rescues the Lone Ranger.
- Red Man's Courage: Silver rears, punching Taggart into the geyserGeyserA geyser is a spring characterized by intermittent discharge of water ejected turbulently and accompanied by a vapour phase . The word geyser comes from Geysir, the name of an erupting spring at Haukadalur, Iceland; that name, in turn, comes from the Icelandic verb geysa, "to gush", the verb...
, while the Lone Ranger pulls himself the safety by lassoLassoA lasso , also referred to as a lariat, riata, or reata , is a loop of rope that is designed to be thrown around a target and tighten when pulled. It is a well-known tool of the American cowboy. The word is also a verb; to lasso is to successfully throw the loop of rope around something...
ing Silver's saddleSaddleA saddle is a supportive structure for a rider or other load, fastened to an animal's back by a girth. The most common type is the equestrian saddle designed for a horse, but specialized saddles have been created for camels and other creatures...
. - Wheels of Disaster: The chief Dark Cloud releases both as ordinary lead bullets have been found in the bodies.
- Fatal Treasure: The team of horses breaks free, taking Joan and the Loan Ranger with them.
- The Missing Spur: Bob Stuart and Dick Forrest crawl through a pipe to another well and escape.
- Flaming Fury: All four captives (Bob, Bert Allen and Dick) are missing a spur each.
- The Silver Bullet: Both take cover in a pit and then escape on horseback.
- Escape: The henchman menacing Bob Stuart is shot by the Lone Ranger.
- The Fatal Plunge: The Lone Ranger, Joan and George jump clear.
- Messengers of Doom: Felton is killed but Dick survives with a back injury.
- The Last of the Rangers: The Lone Ranger takes cover but Dick Forrest is buried alive.