The Lone Ranger and the Lost City of Gold (1958)

The Lone Ranger and the Lost City of Gold is the first classic western movie I've seen in many many moons. (It's been fewer but still many moons since I've seen a movie where the family is watching a cowboys-and-injuns circle-the-wagons shoot-em-up.) This second Lone Ranger movie -- and the last one starring Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels together -- has it all: the "Hi-yo, Silver!" cry and theme (the William Tell overture), Silver's Lassie-like intelligence ("What's the matter, big fellow?"), a white woman playing a Native American woman, Tonto saying "Me get horse/doctor/father," a societal conflictedness about racial prejudice, a perfunctory script and yeomanlike acting -- but boy the horseriding! The storyline makes actual sense even if specific developments fail to do so. (It's not wise to announce onseself as the sole survivor after the preceding four have been assassinated.) Clayton Moore disguises himself to play a dual role as a southern gentleman who tangles with the femme fatale (Noreen Nash). 3 stars. (12-18-08)