The Lone Ranger in Movies

The Lone Ranger made his first appearance on film in a 1936 animated "short" made for the home market.  His first theatrical feature was edited together from the 1938 serial with new "bookend" footage added.  The Lone Ranger's first original movie made for the theater was in 1956.  The below list contains all of these and more, including any television movies/specials.

The Lone Ranger - A Cartoon

Details

  • 1936
  • ~3 minutes
  • Black & white animation
  • Produced by Roy Meredith
  • No theatrical release; released by Pathegram Films on 16mm film for the home market.

Hi-Yo Silver

Details

  • April 10, 1940
  • 69 minutes

Cast

  • Lone Ranger - Lee Powell
  • Tonto - Chief Thunder-Cloud

Note

  • Edited together from the 1938 serial “The Lone Ranger” with new "bookend" material included.

The Legend of the Lone Ranger

Details

  • 1952 - exact date unknown at this time, some listings show it as 1958
  • 75 minutes
  • Edited together the first three episodes of the 1949 television series recounting the origin of the Lone Ranger.

Cast

  • Lone Ranger - Clayton Moore
  • Tonto - Jay Silverheels

The Lone Ranger Story - TV Special

Details

  • February 12, 1955
  • 60 minutes
  • Edited together the first three episodes of the 1949 television series recounting the origin of the Lone Ranger. Additional footage was filmed for the opening sequence.

Cast

  • Lone Ranger - Clayton Moore
  • Tonto - Jay Silverheels

Note

  • Released to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of The Lone Ranger radio program. Subsequently aired annually through the 25th anniversary.

The Lone Ranger

Details

  • January 13, 1956 premiere in Dallas, Texas.
  • February 25, 1956 general release.
  • 86 minutes

Cast

  • Lone Ranger - Clayton Moore
  • Tonto - Jay Silverheels

The Lone Ranger Peace Patrol

Details

  • 1958
  • Filmed in conjunction with the U.S. Treasury Department.
  • 8 minutes

Cast

  • Lone Ranger - Clayton Moore

Note

  • Shown in schools to promote the sale of savings bonds.

The Lone Ranger and the Lost City of Gold

Details

  • June 4, 1958
  • 81 minutes

Cast

  • Lone Ranger - Clayton Moore
  • Tonto - Jay Silverheels

The Legend of the Lone Ranger

Details

  • May 22, 1981
  • 98 minutes

Cast

  • Lone Ranger - Klinton Spilsbury
  • Tonto - Michael Horse
  • Lucas Striker - John Hart (The Lone Ranger from season 3 of the 1949 television series)
  • Woman - Bonita Granville (co-starred in the 1956 film)

Note

  • James Keach dubbed Klinton Spilsbury as both John Reid and The Lone Ranger.

The Lone Ranger: The Truth Unmasked - TV Special

Details

  • April 26, 1987
  • 90 minutes
  • Edited together the first three episodes of the 1949 television series recounting the origin of the Lone Ranger. Additional footage was filmed of a grandfather telling the story of The Lone Ranger to his grandson. This footage was used as bookends and commercial bumpers.

Cast

  • Lone Ranger - Clayton Moore
  • Tonto - Jay Silverheels

The Lone Ranger

Details

  • February 26, 2003
  • 120 minute airtime

Cast

  • Lone Ranger - Chad Michael Murray
  • Tonto - Nathaniel Arcand

Note

  • TV movie designed as a pilot for an unrealized television series.

The Lone Ranger

Details

  • July 3, 2013
  • 150 minutes

Cast

  • Lone Ranger - Armie Hammer
  • Tonto - Johnny Depp