I Was That Masked Man by Clayton Moore, Frank Thompson Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of I Was That Masked Man
Book Review: Must-Read: Bland yet Bizarre
Summary: 5 Stars
Clayton Moore tried to lived by the Lone Ranger code, and the writing here sounds like a product of that code--a good word for everyone, or at least as close to a good word (and moral lesson) as possible, with pure motives always ruling his actions and reactions. But especially bizarre is Clayton's late, real-life run-in with the Manson family just weeks before the Sharon Tate murder, when the gang, possible including Squeaky Fromme and Charles himself, camped out at a blind rancher's spread. It almost sounds like an LR episode, but with an understandably clueless Moore wondering who these kids are, then asking himself later if they had been Lone Ranger fans who somehow went wrong, and re-devoting himself to being a good influence. And yet the book is endlessly likeable, with a love of life and many details, big and small, that will delight fans of the show and of Moore: Clayton's early days as an athletic trazepe artist (performing at the 1934 World's Fair and taking in a few Sally Rand shows!); his serials with Noel Neil and Phyllis Coates (Lois Lanes both); his fondness for Jay Silverheels; his second wife's relations with John Barrymore and his own (platonic) one with Lupe Velez; why the LR mask changes shape; the special lighting used to bring out his blue eyes, etc, etc. Despite its determined blandness, it is a real treat in hundreds of ways--including dozens of photos masked and unmasked, one a goofy comic shot with eyes crossed that looks strangely like Hugh Laurie in a comic mood! The late Moore is now himself part of those thrilling days of yesteryear. I wish that I had met him! (P.S. I can't resist correcting one small error. The book claims Roy Barcroft played the role of Crane in the Republic Serial Ghost of Zorro. Either Clay or his ghost confused this; Barcroft, a prolific B-movie actor, plays the evil sidekick Kilgore. Crane is played by another familiar face, Gene Roth.)Book Review: THE LONG RANGER REALLY WAS THE LONE RANGER!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a delightful autobiography, mainly because what the reader learns quickly is that Clayton Moore was every bit asstraight-laced and trueblue as the Ranger himself. And Jay Silverheels 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)
Book Review: THE LONG RANGER REALLY WAS THE LONE RANGER!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a delightful autobiography, mainly because what the reader learns quickly is that Clayton Moore was every bit asstraight-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)
Book Review: The Lone Ranger and Clayton Moore--One In the Same
Summary: 3 Stars
A good, sweet autobiography by a good and decent man, Clayton Moore, who was, is, and evermore shall be, The Lone Ranger.
Not a lot of new material here, but lots of nostalgia and fond memories of those "thrilling days of yesteryear..." as only a man who lived it could tell it.
His plan, Clayton Moore's plan, for transfering the role of The Lone Ranger to a younger man is striking and moving--Hint: It has to do with sunsets, an old man, the transfer of the mask and riding off in the sunset. It's a shame it never happened that way. It should have.
As Clayton Moore writes, "the Lone Ranger (is) something constant and steady in a society that is always changing..."
In writing and thinking about this book and our time--childhood and after with the Lone Ranger, it might be worthwhile as well as appropriate to reflect once again on "The Lone Ranger Creed:"
"I believe that to have a friend, a man must be one. That all men are created equal and that everyone has within himself the power to make this a better world. That God put the firewood there but that every man must gather and light it himself. In being prepared psysically, mentally and morally to fight when necessary for that which is right. That a man should make the most of what equipment he has. That 'This government, of the people, by the people and for the people' shall live always. That men should live by the rule of what is best for the greatest number. That sooner or later...somewhere...somehow..we must settle with the world and make payment for what we have taken. That all things change but truth, and that truth alone, lives on forever. In my Creator, my country, my fellow man" The Lone Ranger
It's the code the Lone Ranger lived by, it's the code Clayton Moore lived by, and when this man dies, if it can said about me, that will be enough...
For me and for us all.
Book Review: This is a great book!
Summary: 5 Stars
In this book, Clayton Moore tells all about his life: how he got to be the Lone Ranger, what it was like for him to be the Lone Ranger, and much more. This book gives some great insight about what his life was like. In the middle of the book are two sections of pictures which I love to look at. This is definitely a book for all Lone Ranger fans!