Today in History - 1933

A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty "Hi-yo, Silver!" The Lone Ranger rides again!

Perhaps radio’s best-remembered drama, The Lone Ranger debuted on WXYZ/Detroit on this date. Under the editorial guidance of creator George W. Trendle and writer Fran Striker, the Ranger was a white knight who, “with his faithful Indian companion Tonto…led the fight for law and order in the early western United States.” The program ran for 2,956 episodes and came to an end in late 1954.

George Seaton (Stenius) was the first voice of the Lone Ranger. Jack Deeds and Earle Graser followed in the role. However, it was Brace Beemer who is best remembered as former Texas Ranger, John Reid. Beemer played the part of the black-masked ranger, fighting for frontier justice for thirteen consecutive years. The part of Indian scout, Tonto, was played for almost the entire run by a bald-headed Irishman named John Todd.

(Clayton Moore [1949-1952 & 1954-1957] and John Hart [1952-1954] as the Lone Ranger, and Jay Silverheels as his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, took to the TV airwaves for years. Moore and Silverheels would also make 1956 and 1958 film versions of The Lone Ranger.)