Customer Reviews

I Was That Masked Man

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Clayton Moore's book is a treat for aging baby-boomers who still return to those thrilling days of yesteryear. Even with his respectable work product as a B movie actor in the '40s, Moore ("Jack" to insiders) was relatively unknown when he first appeared as The Lone Ranger in TV's version of the classic radio series. The best parts of the book are the behind the scene details of the famous TV show. Moore recalls his friendship with Jay Silverheels, a full-blooded Mohawk whose real name was Harold J. Smith. Tonto's dialogue both annoyed and amused Silverheels. Silverheels joked about it with Moore, but he also worked to improve the film image of Native Americans. Two horses portrayed Silver. We also learn the story of Lone Ranger Rock, featured in the opening sequence of the show. For decades, Moore made personal appearances in character. Wherever he traveled, everybody loved him for what he meant to Western folklore and us. He was careful to preserve the integrity of the image in his private life. In a conspicuous public relations blunder, The Wrather Corporation, because of a new movie (circa, 1980), took Moore to court to prohibit him from wearing the mask in public. Loyal fans united in protest and stayed away from the box office in droves. After the film flopped, Moore got the mask back. Moore says he knew there was a private person besides the public image, and that he was careful to keep the two identities separate. Regardless, Clayton Moore was that masked man. Recommended reading for nostalgia buffs and generations of loyal Lone Ranger fans. ;-)

A easy read in a weekend or a rainy day. Clayton Moore takes all of us Boomers back in time with a wonderful recollection of the show, the characters, the actors, locations, and his own personal history. When you're finished you will truly understand the title. Read this book, you owe yourself the pleasure.

At the outset, I must admit to a bias. I was born and raised in Chicago. I attended Hayt Elementary School (as did Clayton Moore) and I was told by my 8th grade teacher (Hetty Reichow) that I had been assigned to the same desk the Lone Ranger had once sat in. I was able to picture the buidling and the gymnastic equipment the author fondly remembers. I enjoyed the book for other sentimental reasons as well. Along with Roy Rogers, the Lone Ranger was one of my favorites. I was particularly interested in his legal battle over his wearing of the mask. And, it was important to learn that Clayton Moore tried to live out the ideals of the Lone Ranger. You can never be sure about hollywood types these days. I have a copy of the Lone Ranger's Creed framed and hanging on the wall in my home. Two of my prized possessions are autographs from Roy Rogers and Clayton Moore. Buy the book - If you grew up with the Lone Ranger, you will enjoy the book.

Like most of the others here, I'm a lifelong fan of the Lone Ranger, and Clayton Moore was my favorite Lone Ranger. I have a signed lithograph hanging in my living room.

I am also a huge fan of Hollywood biographies.

My biases being clear, I have to say that like everyone else, I loved Clayton Moore's story. He's a genuine good guy, has nice things to say about everyone he worked with, and always tried to find the good in people. People responded to him in kind, even in the days of hippie rebellion.

Clayton Moore's relationship with the character of the Lone Ranger is unique. He was typecast, but wanted to be typecast. After playing the Lone Ranger, it's the only character he ever wanted to play. Even Jay Silverheels had no intention of being Tonto forever. Moore spent the rest of his life going to schools, shopping malls, etc., portraying either the Lone Ranger or portraying himself as the Lone Ranger. He spent the rest of his life trying to embody the Ranger Creed. No other actor was as closely tied to a character as was Moore. Even his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame says both Clayton Moore and the Lone Ranger.

Even the stories of being fired for Season 3 of the TV show, being called back for Season 4, and the legal wrangling over the use of the mask were downplayed in favor of discussing his relationship with his fans, some of whom he met at both 5 and 50 years of age. His comment? The adoration in their eyes for the Lone Ranger was the same at any age.

If you were ever a fan of the show, the photos alone are worth the price of the book.

Also, if you need large print books, the print in this edition is quite large. No need to look for a large print edition.

As a child I could never get enough of the Lone Ranger. As an adult, I'm even more obsessed with going back to "the thrilling days of yesteryear". Clayton Moore lived a dream, and is truly the last american hero! His book dwells into the origin of the character and how he lived the life of the character on and off the TV screen. Whether you are a Lone Ranger fan or not, this book is a must read! It will also make you long for the return of a time when hero's really did wear white, and you could tell the "good guys" from the "bad guys". Clayton Moore is a true legend, and his book gives a sincere account of his life as he lived it, as "The Lone Ranger".

Massive doses of nostalgia are guaranteed upon reading this book. Clayton Moore takes us on a ride to the thrilling days of yesteryear in a very pleasant account of his days as The Lone Ranger with many anecdotes and behind the scenes stuff. The book not only covers the TV series, but life after the series making personal appearances and continuing with the tradition of living up to the high standards set by Moore's masked alter ego. Of special interest is the part where Moore talks about his feelings with the movie The Legend of The Lone Ranger and the period of time when he was forbidden to wear his mask in public. Highly recommended to all fans of The Lone Ranger.

Whether you are a fan of Clayton Moore or the Lone Ranger or not, this book is extremely interesting. The book is full of unknown facts and trivia and has many pictures of the screen image of The Lone Ranger and of the real life hero, Clayton Moore. By reading this book, even someone born after the 1950's can begin to understand why this gentleman has affected so many people in such a positive way. All of Mr. Moore's film and t.v. credits are listed and show why he is even more than the beloved Lone Ranger. The book should be in every library and home in the country.

First, I rate books that are average as 3 stars and move up and down from there.

Many people really liked Clayton Moore, and many more liked the Lone Ranger. This makes reviewing the book difficult because one wants the book to be as large as life as the character on screen.

With this said, the book takes a chronological look at the life of Clayton Moore. From his childhood, to trapeze work, to Hollywood and serials, the Lone Ranger to his life after Hollywood, sustaining himself by doing Lone Ranger appearances.

The book is an easy read, with a decent amount of pictures without the mask for those that are curious. With personal stories into the background of serials and the Lone Ranger, personal stories about his life and some information about other actors Clayton Moore had worked with.

Moore rarely has anything negative to say about anyone, and is kind and polite when talking about things that would anger the average person, such as getting fired from the Lone Ranger show.

It is impossible to lead as virtuous a life as the Lone Ranger, and while Moore may have made some personal mistakes in life, they were few and corrected. Certainly, he was a hero for millions, and felt it his obligation and responsibility to live up to that persona, unnlike actors and sports stars of today. I was impressed with the story of how after making an appearance as the Lone Ranger, and while still in costume, they came upon a traffic accident. Of course, Clayton Moore, in Lone Ranger garb, was directing traffic and helping out until the police arrived.

The book may have presented his personal mistakes or conflicts in the best light, but his way of dealing with it was as a gentleman.

Certainly, I learned more about the actor and the character and would recommend this book to others.

It was an easy read, but tha's OK since some younger people may be interested in the book also.

Claytom Moore had to be one of the most gentle men that I have ever known. He believed in The Lone Ranger and he lived by the values, and the code that his image stood for. I am proud to say that I have one of the few copies of this book that was autographed by this wonderful man.

Author, Roger Dean Kiser
trampolineone@earthlink.net

This is a delightful autobiography, mainly because what the reader learns quickly is that Clayton Moore was every bit as
straight-laced and trueblue as the Ranger himself. And Jay Silverhills becomes bigger than life, too! This is an unusual book, because it's obvious that Moore is not a writer. He is so intent on telling his story honestly and clearly, that the reader gets wrapped up in the narrative--just as Davy Crockett's autobiography is made more readable by his lack of sophistication in the writer's art. If you want unpretentious popular-culture history told in a direct and naive narrative, this is the book for you. It makes me want the Lone Ranger back on television! Hi Yo Clayton and Jay!

--Jim Reed, author, DAD'S TWEED COAT: SMALL WISDOMS, HIDDEN COMFORTS, UNEXPECTED JOYS (for more information on those thrilling days of yesteryear, see Jim's website jimreedbooks.com)