I Was That Masked Man

I Was That Masked Man is a read down memory lane for those of us baby-boomers who were born about the time the Lone Ranger began on television. And the life of Clayton Moore reads like a story of someone who enjoyed every moment of life to the fullest, yet at the same time devoted himself to being true to the character he portrayed on the small screen. Not too many people would devote their entire lives to one character and try to pattern their life by the creed of the character at all times. For that I congratulate him. As a biography this book excels in giving us the story of his life; as a memoir it tells us his attitude and philosophy he lived by; as a movie book it lists the movies and TV shows he was in. This book succeeds on all levels. There are great photographs as well, even some when Clayton Moore wasn't wearing the mask! This book will revive your faith in people, too. Buy it! if you enjoy learning about the golden age of television, the B studio system, the movie industry during WWII, or the movies in general. Clayton Moore/The Lone Ranger/ one and the same.

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.

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.

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.

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".