The Lone Ranger is an American radio drama created by George W. Trendle and writer Fran Striker that began broadcasting on Detroit station WXYZ in 1933, following a masked former Texas Ranger and his Native American companion Tonto as they fight injustice in the American West. The program was built around a fixed set of formulaic conventions, including the William Tell Overture as its opening theme, the Ranger's silver bullets, and his refusal to kill, elements repeated consistently enough to become widely recognized cultural shorthand for the character. The Lone Ranger ran on radio for more than two decades, and its success led directly to a long-running television series, several films, and one of the most durable character franchises to emerge from American radio drama.
Facts
Release Year Classification
Original Language FAQs
Why is the masked hero called the Lone Ranger?
The name comes from Tonto's observation that he was the only ranger left after the ambush.
In the origin story he is the sole survivor of six Texas Rangers ambushed at Bryant's Gap. His decision to adopt the name was inspired by Tonto, who observed after the ambush that he was the only ranger left. In other words, he was the "lone" ranger.
Connections
In the Other Atlases
Original Language
Also in Language Atlas: the original language of this subject.
Originated In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject originated.
Sources
1. Lone Ranger (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationLead section, second paragraph, opening sentence
He first appeared in 1933 in a radio show on WXYZ (Detroit), conceived either by station owner George W. Trendle or by Fran Striker
The Lone Ranger, Description, original language
The Lone Ranger is an American radio drama created by George W. Trendle and writer Fran Striker that began broadcasting on Detroit station WXYZ in 1933, following a masked former Texas Ranger and his Native American companion Tonto as they fight injustice in the American West.
In Group: Radio Adventure, Western and Children's Serials, Lead
He first appeared in 1933 in a radio show on WXYZ (Detroit), conceived either by station owner George W.
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