(For an explanation of this series, see the Description of the cache “Bronco”.)
SEE FINDER'S NOTE AT END OF DESCRIPTION
“The Lone Ranger” ran from 1949-1957*. It took itself seriously, but it’s hard to do that nowadays. Not just because of the Johnny Depp movie, or Bill Cosby’s brilliant spoof in his stand-up comedy routine (both worth a look), but the ranger does a pretty good job of shooting himself in the foot (!!). Like a number of others, he gets around the hot, dusty old west, riding long distances, chasing baddies, getting into fistfights etc. but always looking like an ad for OMO or Fab (also from the 50s), and never losing his hat or (in his case) having his trademark mask ripped off. He leaves a silver bullet behind in every town he’s been in. Really? I can only guess what the price of pure silver would have been back then. It’d be like leaving a solid gold FTF geocoin coin in every cache. (You wish!!)
And watch the opening credits. Even tho he’s a hundred metres away on a galloping horse, his Hi-yo Silver!” sounds as tho he’s standing in close-up in front of the camera. Notice also, that as he rides, both hands holding the reins, he manages to nevertheless fire several shots at whoever.**
Tonto also gets a look-in here, but it’s incredibly brief, and subdued in tone in comparison with the intro for The Lone Ranger himself. He was in the show almost from the start (episode 11 of the radio version of the show, in 1933). Why? My guess … for the sake of the story, the “goodies” had to cop it every now and then, but this was an era when they tended to keep the hero one rung below Superman. Tonto’s chief purpose, I suspect, like all good side-kicks, was to cop the beating that the writers didn’t want to dish out to the Main Character (ie The Ranger) … listen to Bill Cosby on this! Must have been a hard decision, tho, when you think about it. I mean what number does the title “The Lone Ranger” bring to mind? A rebranding (intended pun!) to “The Lone Ranger plus One” wasn’t going to work.
But that mask the Ranger wore was useful for TV. The original actor playing the Ranger left the show due to a contractual dispute. No problem. Put a mask on another bloke, and spiffy duds, and no-one’s the wiser. A couple of years later, dispute is settled, so switch the original guy back into the saddle, complete with mask and outfit. Who knew? “Not me, Kemo Sabe!”
The show had already done 16 years on radio before finding a place on the fledgling medium of TV. Probably says a lot as to why it’s a hard watch now.
BYOP. Please roll log tightly and insert into lid of cache.
*TV in USA
** After the title “The Lone Ranger” is dramatically announced, the next few words might have a familiar ring for some. Think about it…
[BOOM] A thunder of jets in an open sky,
A streak of grey and a cheerful ‘Hi’… [BLAM] & so on ….
Recognise it? Tell me this isn’t one of the best take-offs (Oops! Did it again!) you’ve heard! Try checking out R.&B. (TV show) intro straight after you’ve watched the Lone Ranger's one.
Additional comment re parking ... At time of placement, street parking-spots around the industrial area can often be found on weekends. Much tighter on weekdays. If you do manage one on Rodeo Rd between "Waratah" corner and G.H.Drive, it will do for all the remaining caches. Otherwise, much easier parking in residential area (Discovery Cct) anytime. Also, doing this will eventually take you over another cache (GC5WK0K ... placed May 2015) if you haven't found it previously.
"Euro" Cafe just a little further along Rodeo Rd. Business hours to suit surrounding industrial area .. 5am-3pm Mon-Fri
FINDERS ... PLEASE RESIST THE IMPULSE to replace cache beyond reach of the next person. The "grabby bit" should be barely in sight.
Q 6 On one occasion in the opening credits (B&W version), The Lone Ranger says another word after “Hi-yo Silver”. How many letters in that word? Let that number be G