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I had the opportunity to interview Clayton Moore for a special
radio program I was doing in the late 1970's as part of "National Nostalgia
Week."
At that time he told me he was working on his book.
I Was That Masked Man was published in 1996.
With the assistance of author Frank Thompson, Clayton told his
side of the story.
Including:
His early years growing up in Chicago, Illinois
His experiences as part of a trapeze act
How he got his start in show business
Behind the scenes stories of his roles in Republic movie serials,
including the time he came dangerously close to death in Jesse
James Rides Again
How his leading part in the 1949 serial Ghost of Zorro
helped him land the role of The Lone Ranger
His adventures on, and off, the screen as The Lone Ranger
What he did after the TV series ended
The story behind his being told to stop wearing the mask during
personal appearances as The Lone Ranger
As well as numerous pictures from the private collection of
Clayton Moore
I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in
either Clayton Moore or The Lone Ranger. Frank Thompson has done
a great job with the book. I only wish I could have been there
when Clayton and Frank were working on it!
Here's a picture taken of Clayton Moore
at the Golden Boot Awards in 1996 by film critic Leonard Maltin. From left to right: actor George Montgomery, Clayton, actor Lloyd Bridges & his son, actor Jeff Bridges.
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