History of the Lone Ranger! Gene Autry! Roy Rogers! Movie Animals & more with David Rothel! WOW!

The Lone Ranger was, and is, every youngster's hero. Same with Roy Rogers, Gene Autry and many more cinematic icons. But not every young kid wrote books about their heroes. David Rothel did. When he grew up he never lost his love of movies or movie heroes...both human and animals. David wrote the best seller "Who Was That Masked Man? The Story of the Lone Ranger" in 1976. The book became an immediate bestseller and was even a main selection of the Nostalgia Book Club. David followed up his Lone Ranger book with a deeply satisfying look at singing cowboys called..."The Singing Cowboys" and an exploration of movie animals called "The Great Show Business Animals." In 1977, David was a guest with Rob Word in Florida for the syndicated show biz news insert series, "Stardom." Those 5 short episodes have been reassembled and filled with new illustrations and graphics for this episode of WAY BACK ON WEDNESDAY.

[@dianejens7054]

Used to watch the Lone Ranger when I was about 10. Loved them.

[@kellyplumb3561]

It was good to hear from his daughter, good men go along to get along, but great men stand on their spot. It's a great thing to see Men that are Great 💓

[@earlsreid4130]

I had the pleasure of meeting and speaking to Clayton Moore in the early 1980's when he made an appearance in Spartanburg, SC. At that time he was forced to wear the big Foster Grant sunglasses instead of his trademark mask. He was a genuinely nice man and answered any questions tossed his way about The Lone Ranger.

[@bassmangotdbluz3547]

Spartanburg, SC; Home of The Beacon Drive-In and their famous Sweet Tea.

[@jimmiemercer8930]

Way back on Wednesday.. No doubt about it...Rob you are the best!

[@PaulKyriazi]

My father woke me up at night at age 8 to see the episode of 'How the Lone Ranger Came to Be' on TV.

[@designertjp-utube]

Sweet! My Dad finally let me stay up late to see which one of them Women Elvis settled for in his Singin' Swingin' Movies!

[@PaulKyriazi]

@@designertjp-utube That must have been Girl Happy where Elvis had to decide between Shelly Fabares and Mary Ann Mobley. One of my favorite Elvis movies, well made with MGM gloss and money.

[@rosswebster2379]

LOVE OLD WESTERNS

[@gerrydooley951]

I think I have 7 or 8 of David's books, I really enjoy them

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Gerry. David was ahead of the nostalgia curve with most of them, too. All good reads.

[@bassmangotdbluz3547]

Ken Curtis "Festus" was always my favorite singing cowboy with or without "The Sons of the Pioneers". Thanks again Rob for sharing these precious moments with us.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Bass. I wish getTV (owned by Sony/Columbia) would air some of Ken's starring musical westerns from the 1940s that are in their inventory.

[@buxxbannerspov30]

Ken Curtis sang over the opening credits of the motion picture "Hannah Lee" (1953) he did a great job!

[@davidllewis4075]

Man, am I getting old! Not only do I remember all this, but thought Word looked to young to remember it.

[@AWordonWesterns]

It's all in the lighting, David.

[@richardrosenthal9552]

Great interview. I have read both cowboy books since I saw this interview the first time. I learned a great deal about the cowboys I watched and listened to when I was a youngster. Thanks Rob for this Way back on Wednesday.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Glad you enjoyed it, Richard, and found the books.

[@JMVideos7676]

I love it when we get to take trips on the Wayback Machine.

[@Paladin1873]

Seeing that Gene Autry lunch pail and thermos at 11:01 reminded me of a virtually identical one of Roy Rogers that I had in grade school.

[@bernardschmidt5192]

Clayton Moore was is and will always be the ONLY Lone Ranger! Hollywood can bring on all the new, young actors they want. But NONE will ever take his place. GOD bless Clayton Moore, and GOD bless The Lone Ranger!

[@EldenSmith]

Thanks for sharing the interview Rob. Those are some awesome subjects to dive into. I had gone to The Roy Rogers museum back in the late 90's Because I had heard that Roy would greet the guest at the door. Sadly he wasn't feeling good that day and passed away the next year. The museum was great to see. Again a sad thing that it's not there anymore either. Been to the Gene Autry museum. It is great as well. 👍

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Elden. Sorry you missed Roy but his museum was filled with goodies!

[@paulstan9828]

Wow! I forgot about the exciting fashions back then. Especially the shirt collars and the big bow ties. Ha!!! Glad that’s changed. 😁

[@larrymonahan1106]

thanks Rob you never age good stuff

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Larry. I just feel like an old fat sidekick.

[@johnwesley8327]

Thanks for another fun and entertaining video Rob. It's great to take these wonderful trips down memory lane.

[@grahamhayden8969]

Wow! My grandma and great uncles both grew up with David Rothel in Columbia Station Ohio.

[@AWordonWesterns]

He was a terrific guy, graham, and is missed.

[@joelcopeland3018]

I grew up watching Roy Rogers on Sundays and the Lone Ranger on Saturdays... Tarzan was also in that mix.... I know that it is a parody and a comedy but I really like Rustler's Rhapsody...

[@thomasmcnab5068]

Hi again Rob...great interview!.., 45 yes ago...where does the time go!...Tks for sharing & take care!

[@TWayneD1020]

Thank you !!!

[@AWordonWesterns]

You are welcome!

[@realoperativex8101]

Another fantastic job, Rob! Love the Lone Ranger. It's a shame the character hasn't been done justice in a long time. Both Legend of the Long Ranger and the Armie Hammer/Johnny Depp movies were terrible. Like most others, Clayton Moore is the Lone Ranger for me. Everyone always describes him as a good and gracious man. I do love the story that Jay Thomas used to tell every Christmas on the David Letterman show. What's funny is that Clayton Moore could also play a really mean bad guy. Recently watched The Crimson Ghost serial where he played the main villain's right-hand man. Good stuff!

[@paulstan9828]

Thanks again Rob always fun!😁

[@cynthiacupler8005]

I had the pleasure to meet, Clayton Moore, at Children's hospital, in Denver Colorado, I suffered from polio the year was in the 50s, great memory for sure.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks for sharing, Cynthia. It certainly must be a fantastic memory.

[@cynthiacupler8005]

@@AWordonWesterns thank you, yes a fantastic memory,and The Lone Ranger,gave me an honorary,Possi card,and a eight by ten glossy photo of himself and Tonto.

[@sue7777]

Fun interview, and I'll probably go looking for Mr. Rothel's books. Oh, by the way, my oh my, what a fashion statement you made! Thanks for sharing this with us.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Pretty spiffy, huh, Sue.

[@waynegilchrist1596]

Thank you Rob for "Way Back On Wednesday" and for suggesting these books. Not that you look old now days but you definitely look really young in this interview.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Well, Wayne, I was really young. It's like watching home movies for me.

[@ericthered760]

Rob's voice sure has changed. To me it sounds deeper when he was younger than it does now !

[@mlhdlh]

If any of you viewers live in Texas, there's a display of items from the Lone Ranger TV show at the Texas Rangers (the law enforcement ones) museum in Waco,TX. A local lady doctor collected items such as one of the masks Clayton Moore wore, one of his hats, one of his double holster gun belts with guns, and other items including Lone Ranger toys and posters. There is a picture of her with Clayton Moore before he died. She too has since died and supposedly there are more items that aren't yet displayed. I guess they'll rotate them in the display. Thanks for this video Rob. I'm going to get the books.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Awesome, TCAP. Thanks for the info.

[@cctn2012]

This is such a great show thanks again.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, cc.

[@grammyhall53]

great segment,as always rob.

[@robertwatson39]

Terrific Rob, from Down Under.

[@robertwatson39]

I actually get to see WOW on Thursday so I call it WOT. So I ask myself WOT had Rob got for us today lol.

[@kathykit7629]

Interesting interview. Loved Lone Ranger as a kid. The show business animal book would be interesting too. Just read a bio on John Wayne and had no idea that the scruffy looking collie in Hondo was actually Lassie with makeup.

[@johnwesley8327]

I didn't realize that was Lassie in Hondo, thanks for the info. "I wouldn't pet that dog son, he bits. But you do what you think is best." Love the Duke!

[@bassmangotdbluz3547]

@ 3:43 That's a young Beverly Washburn who played Lisbeth Searcy in "Old Yeller", Vickie Massey on "The Loretta Young Show", Arlene Galway on "Star Trek" and she appeared as a guest star in seemingly every popular TV series of the day. I just love her, always have.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Cool, Bass. Did you check out our interview with Beverly about working with Clayton?

[@bassmangotdbluz3547]

@@AWordonWesterns You know I did!

[@terryv]

Her official web site is at www.beverlywashburn.com. It’s worth a look!

[@bassmangotdbluz3547]

@@terryv Thanks CAV.

[@gmatwotimes]

Awesome Rob!!!

[@swimasfastasyoucan]

Wow.im going to have to find these books.i only own one book.The Virginian.but the print is too small for my old tired eyes lol.thanks Rob.

[@Ali-ct9pb]

Very interesting and most informative. Really enjoyed that Rob. Great interviews. Your style is wonderful. Something we need more of today. Thanks for your wonderful show.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Ali. I'm interviewing Clayton's daughter on tomorrow's show. She was lots of fun.

[@paulstan9828]

So many singing cowboys didn’t realize.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Yep, Paul, there were many more. It was a true phenomenon and changed B westerns.

[@Inpreesme]

Thank you

[@MThomas001]

In case anyone is interested there is a hardback on Amazon for 857.00 right now. I think I will just hit the library for this. Great show.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, M. Wow! I'd better take care of my copy!

[@imanutnur7]

I want to see a show on the old black and white western bad guys that were always so dedicated to the head of the outlaws.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Tom. Nice idea. It may be in the future.

[@scottjackson1420]

Your guest reminded me of Dick Cavett. Anyone else see that?

[@TERoss-jk9ny]

This guys ears are bigger.

[@bassmangotdbluz3547]

If Dick Cavett was a Volkswagen going down the road with both doors open, then yes.

[@jimmiemercer8930]

My first thought💡

[@genegarren833]

Yes I did when I saw his profile.

[@marilynmcclintock2974]

John Hart also played The Lone Ranger for awhile. Grandma Sue in central Indiana and Izzi Too

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Sue and Izzi.

[@Elementa2006]

"WHO WAS THAT MASKED MAN?" That quote was used in a lot of media. I don't remember Lone Ranger airing in Egypt but we did get shows like Bonanza and Davey Crocket.

[@grahamhill6340]

I have David Rothel's AN AMBUSH OF GHOSTS wonderful western location book... and as a location historian myself, I always admired his dedication and knowledge. When it came to THE LONE RANGER, that is the Wrather Corporation... I can well imagine he had to suck up to them somewhat when he wrote that book, and this was I believe before Jack Wrather took the mask away from Clayton Moore, as his personal appearances at supermarket openings and Builder's Emporiums where I first met Moore, was the main source of his income. Moore like so many cowboy heroes got no residuals from the TV show or the movies. When you need Wrather's co-operation, the very use of the LONE RANGER name, the photos etc... you have to write as if it was a PR handout for them, you can't be too critical specially with their unfair treatment of the true one and only, made for the part, lived for the part and forever will always be the most remembered for the part Clayton Moore. Unfortunately I never met David Rothel, but his enthusiasm for 1980's Klinton Spillsbury's LONE RANGER fiasco I'm sure was short lived... as for the Johnny Depp version -what a waste of great locations, let alone $250 million!

[@AWordonWesterns]

I'm in total agreement, Graham. The Spillbury hadn't come out yet and the disastrous Depp version was still many years in the future when we did this interview. Ugh!

[@bak-mariterry9143]

The Spillbury/ Lone Ranger was pretty good . The J. Depp.... UGH ! HORRIBLE !

[@sallyann1363]

A few weeks ago while waiting to see my doctor, an elderly man came out dressed to a T in cowboy clothes and wearing a red bandana. I thought about asking the receptionist “Who was that masked man?” But realized she was 20 something and it would probably be lost on her.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Sad, Sally. Let's educate that younger generation!

[@frankdodgee]

Intriguing. Combining drug prevention with hero Lone Ranger. So appropriate.

[@deerhoda7574]

Very nice♡

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thank you! 😊

[@buxxbannerspov30]

I grew up watching Clayton Moore as the Lone Ranger...I'm not fond of the Spilsbury or Hammer 'Rangers"

[@AWordonWesterns]

No one is! Clay still rocks!

[@spokanetomcat1]

Not plugging Amazon, just using it as a reference, but this man wrote a lot of books. Found almost all these books at the local library. After this pandemic looking forward to reading them. www.amazon.com/s?k=David+Rothel&ref=nb_sb_noss

[@ronh8199]

The Lone Ranger's birth name was John Reid.

[@ballbearing5459]

How is that mask man ! I don't know but look that horse left on the lawn.

[@davidhosscowart5849]

Great tie. Looking sharp RW! Have you ever seen the video of Jay Thomas telling his “Lone Ranger” story on The Late Show w/ David Letterman?

[@AWordonWesterns]

Yes I have, Hoss. I was on a podcast with Clay's daughter, Dawn, and Jay, shortly before he died. He told an even wilder version of that story and had us all laughing and...blushing. Don't miss Dawn on THIS Sunday's, Sept 13th, AWOW. It's one day before her Dad's birthday.

[@davidhosscowart5849]

A Word on Westerns looking forward to it!! My mom loved Clayton Moore as TLR.

[@vegasrider2246]

Has anyone watched the Jay Thomas story of the Lone Ranger. Very funny. Look it up.

[@suzannelancaster2943]

Clayton Moore played Lone Ranger if you wNt to see him actin in a picture rent the son of Monte Cristo he plays a soldier who saves Louis Hayward the Monte Cristo

[@zz-xk7lc]

Wait a minute Cowpoke, are you accusing me of being the masked man? Doggone you. Besides that, I am glad you are making of video about this. I am subscribing, still, doggone you.

[@bitterdbyu5291]

I miss wholesome America

[@zz-xk7lc]

Me too Cowpoke, maybe the present day has brought some good things. Technology and understanding and tolerance of disabled people. Yet, we have groups destroying America and American parties becoming the enemy. Back in my day, the enemy was a foreign power, and it still is, but another enemy we have to deal with is our own party. I do agree.

[@Slick2462]

I always like your videos and this one is great also. The bowtie is really an eye catcher maybe too much?😊

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, slick. Yeah, those 1970's bow ties were something else. What? I don't really know.

[@myronbenware8779]

It looks like you dripped coffee or gravy on the necktie! LOL

[@AWordonWesterns]

Something. That's the danger of Close-ups!

[@bobford2564]

Rob Word, The Weather seems to be a real problem. So, I will tip my hat and say. Adios for a very long time. Not sure of anything else.

[@stevenmullens511]

When I was a kid in the 1980's my father took me and my little brother to the opening of a hardware store in LA county Clayton Moore was there and he was not very friendly to us I asked for a autograph and he would not give me one. After that I stopped watching the lone ranger. 👮‍♂️

[@sallyann1363]

Steven Mullens he must have been a replacement.

[@AWordonWesterns]

That sounds like what must have happened. Maybe it was Klinton Spilsbury! LOL

[@marksheffer625]

That is to cool . I usually see you in the credits , you do it all. Can you make money doing a KZbin channel show ? Ive had an idea for a few years . But have no idea how to start it or if there is any way it could make money

[@AWordonWesterns]

It's a money pit. Done for the love of westerns and TV/movie entertainment.

[@terryv]

Haircut!

[@AWordonWesterns]

What's a haircut?

[@blinko656]

What the HEK is that black thing unddr your neck?? What were you thinking???

[@AWordonWesterns]

That's my big fuzzy sidekick!