Clayton Moore (1) (1914–1999)

This autobiography of Clayton Moore, the iconic portrayer of The Lone Ranger in the 1950s, is a pleasant read by a genial man. Moore seems genuinely to have taken on the personal ethics and attitudes of the heroic character he became famous for playing, and while he (admittedly) held rather old-fashioned and unnuanced views, there is something quite endearing and noble about his approach to being a role model for a generation or two of kids. His interest in the details of his work is admirable, as many actor autobiographies don't seem to provide much about the making of the movies and shows themselves, or many insights into the colleagues with whom the actor worked. Moore (no doubt helped in this department particularly by film historian Frank Thompson, whose useful hand is all over this book) seems to realize that fans not only want to read about an actor's life, but about his work as well. There's nothing deep about Clayton Moore's autobiography, and it's told in a manner not terribly more intricate than the TV episodes which made him famous. But it's a very pleasant and interesting book, especially if you're one of the generation for whom "Hi Yo, Silver" means something.… (meer)