Autographs…celebrity encounters…so where did it all begin for me? Sometime during the Summer of 1977, I met my first real celebrity and obtained my first real autograph (discounting two sports autographs that I already owned: the autographed baseball from Hall of Famer Bob Feller that I received when I was born from June Bolin, one of my Dad’s co-workers…and the signed paper photo of Bengal Isaac Curtis that I got when I was about two when he did a personal appearance at a local store). This mystery masked celebrity was none other than Clayton Moore, star of TV’s classic western The Lone Ranger.
At the time that I met him, I am fairly certain that I had no idea who Clayton Moore was – although in later years, I did grow up watching episodes of The Lone Ranger with my Dad. In fact, I am rather excited for the recent DVD release of the first two seasons of the show. When my Mom took Denise and me to meet him, he was appearing at the local 7-11 store in Beavercreek as a benefit to muscular dystrophy. What I do recall is that when we pulled up, he was sitting at a table outside of the store and no one was there to meet him yet. Remarkable!
I also recall that he was very kind to both Denise and me. He was also handing out 5×7 signed photos which I think were free of charge. How any of this was benefitting muscular dystrophy I have no idea. For some reason, I got the only picture and Mom and Denise went away empty handed. Mom also took photos of us with Clayton Moore, who in 1977 was still permitted to wear his famous mask in public.
After many years, the signed photo that I received that day was lost. In order to acquire another one, I sent Clayton Moore off a nice photo of him and Tonto on their horses. It was mailed on October 27, 1997 and quickly returned signed to me – along with two signed notecards – on November 9. About a year later, I picked up another nice photo of Mr. Moore, this time a solo shot. I sent that off for a signature and quickly got a response as well.
Last year in 2007, I finally found that original signed photo, pictured at the top of the page – now noticeably smeared but still mostly intact. It was hidden behind another 5×7 picture inside an old frame that was stored in my Mom’s attic. The mystery of the masked man was finally solved and I recovered a most significant relic.
Return to the Summer of ’77…
Autographs of 1997 will continue…
Was he later prohibited from wearing the mask?
Aaron
November 17th, 2008
You lucky devil! The Lone Ranger was one of my heroes during my childhood. I would have loved to have met Clayton Moore. It is hard to believe that noone was there to see him. The photo of Mr. Moore, Denise and yourself is a good one.
I never had the chance to meet any of the cast, but I do own a gun holster and belt that belonged to John Hart. He used it for promotions and public appearances. It is one of my most prized possessions.
Incidentally, Fred Foy, the announcer for both the radio program and the television series is still alive and well. I just got his autograph this year via the mail.
Dave Chasteen
November 18th, 2008
From Wikipedia:
In keeping with the nature of the Ranger character, Moore chose to protect the Ranger’s identity at all times and is perhaps the only actor whose full face is largely unknown to the public. It was never shown in the TV series, although occasionally he would don a disguise and affect an accent, revealing the upper half of his face in the process.
In 1979, the owner of the Ranger character, Jack Wrather, obtained a court order prohibiting Moore from making future appearances as The Lone Ranger. Wrather anticipated making a new film version of the story, and did not want the value of the character being undercut by Moore’s appearances, nor anyone to think that the 65-year-old Moore would be playing the role in the new picture. This move proved to be a public relations disaster of the first order. Moore responded by changing his costume slightly and replacing the mask with similar-looking wraparound sunglasses, and then counter-sued Wrather. He eventually won the suit, and was able to resume his appearances in costume, which he continued to do until shortly before his death
Brad
November 19th, 2008
Forget the mask! I just love his authentic cowboy pants.
Chris
November 20th, 2008
His pants are aerodynamic… for greater speed in the saddle…just like Adam West’s Batman!
Dave Chasteen
November 20th, 2008