The Lone Ranger Trivia Quiz

Answer: 1933

Detroit radio executive George Washington Trendle hired an aspiring scriptwriter from Buffalo, NY, named Fran Striker to create a new 'Robin Hood' type western hero for his station - WXYZ. The first program aired Jan. 30, 1933.

Answer: Earl Graser

Earl Graser labored in virtual obscurity from 1933 until April 8th, 1941, when he fell asleep at the wheel of his car and was killed instantly. He was short and unimposing, so another man, larger and a good horseman, was used in personal appearances wearing the Lone Ranger costume. Only those closest to him knew Earl Graser was the voice of the famous masked rider.

Answer: Brace Beemer

Brace Beemer was the station manager for WXYZ and was both the occasional narrator for 'The Lone Ranger' and the man who did all the personal appearances dressed as the ranger. After Earl Graser's death, the scripts were hastily changed to explain that the Lone Ranger had been seriously wounded and was unable to speak.

He communicated with Tonto, his Indian friend, by writing notes while Tonto carried the action. After a half-dozen episodes, Beemer spoke his first hesitant words in his new role. At first, he tried to imitate Graser's inflections, but soon he developed his own style and evolved into the full-blown, deep-throated voice radio listeners had a hard time ever forgetting.

Answer: Clayton Moore

Clayton Moore won the role not only by his athleticism and good looks, but by telling Trendle, 'Mr. Trendle, I AM the Lone Ranger.' He maintained the image of the character throughout the rest of his life, never appearing in public without his mask or dark sunglasses, never using profanity and dedicating his life to the ideals of the masked rider.

Answer: Butch Cavendish

Fran Striker didn't incorporate the origin of the Lone Ranger character into his scripts until several years after the program went on the air. In 1938, rights were granted to Republic Pictures to make a fifteen-chapter serial using the character. In that serial, five rangers escaped an ambush, and, donning a mask, one became 'The Lone Ranger'.

However, the audience did not discover which until, one by one they were killed until only one remained. It wasn't until 1943 that Striker settled on a scenario that incorporated the Cavendish Gang and six Texas Rangers led into ambush by a treacherous guide. Tonto then finds the wounded ranger and nurses him back to health.

Answer: Fred Foy

Fred Foy took over as narrator of the radio program on July 2, 1948 and brought his unique blend of drama and excitement to the action. His stirring opening is probably the most famous introduction of any radio program. 'A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty 'Hi Yo Silver' - the Lone Ranger!' Recently inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in Chicago, Fred went on to ABC television in New York where he opened the Dick Cavett show for many years. Listeners will remember the way he always closed the show - 'The part of the Lone Ranger was played by Brace Beemer. Your announcer, Fred Foy.'

Answer: Klinton Spilsbury

The motion picture also starred Michael Horse as Tonto and Jason Robards, Jr. as President Grant. Spilsbury's acting was generally panned by critics and he disappeared into obscurity. The movie was a huge disappointment to Lone Ranger fans.

Answer: Dan Reid

It was not until nearly ten years after the radio program went on the air that the character of young Dan Reid was introduced. The Lone Ranger had come to the aid of an old woman living in Montana Territory and found her caring for a young boy of twelve.

As she lays dying, she explains that she and the boy had been the only survivors of an Indian massacre and that the lad had worn a locket around his neck that contained a picture of his parents. The Ranger recognizes Dan's father as his brother, and adopts the boy, promising to raise him as his own. Trendle brought the Dan Reid character forward to the present time in another WXYZ creation as the father of Brit Reid, the Green Hornet.

Answer: Faithful Friend

'Kemosabe' can also be translated as 'Trusty Scout', although Striker preferred the answer given. Contrary to some interpretations, it is not derived from the Spanish phrase 'Quien Sabe?' (Who knows?) but rather from the name of a boy's camp Striker once visited in northern Michigan, Camp Kee Mo Sabe.

Answer: Striker never gave the Lone Ranger a first name.

Fran Striker never even hinted at the Lone Ranger's true first name. A series of books written about the character after Striker's death and the copyright had been obtained by Warner Bros. helped perpetuate the belief that his name was John Reid. The 1981 movie used this name as well. Fans of the show know that several other persons also knew who he was. One was a girl.

In his epic struggle against The Black Arrow, which spanned parts of 1941 and 1942, a young female government agent named Joan Barkley assists the masked man by learning important information and passing it on.

It is later learned that her deceased brother, a Texas Ranger, was a close friend of the masked man, and that it was she, not Tonto, who first found the wounded ranger and cared for him.

The girl was later dropped from the scripts and never referred to again once the origin story had been finally settled upon. She was the closest thing to a love interest for the celebate masked man. In addition, there was the Padre, who could always locate the masked man, and old Jim, who worked the silver mine that supplied the Lone Ranger with silver bullets and cash.