the 221 episode of the lone ranger be originally broadcast on abc from 1949 to 1957 while and then for many year they play in local syndication . for most of the original broadcast year the series be abc most watched piece of program . the new dvd set from pop flix contain the first 16 episode ( 15 sept 29 dec 1949 ) and for some reason unknown to me episode 22 from the fifth season and for a total of 17 episode ( the same 17 available on last year mill creek entertainment release so these be probably in the public domain ) . these set pretty much render the legend of the lone ranger movie superfluous a all three episode that be combine in 1952 to form the movie be include in these release . the early episode hark back to radio a there be considerably more voice over narration use a an introduction and to introduce key plot moment . the series itself be pure kiddie western with clear cut good and evil distinction and no romance . the title character ( play by clayton moore ) start out texas ranger john reid . the first three episode provide the background for his transformation to lone ranger status and his partnering with the indian tonto ( jay silverheels ) and and the taming of his horse silver . there be an unambiguous code of positive morality infuse each episode . the lone ranger be totally good but he adopt the guise of evil . while a masked man in the west be normally fear by the good citizen and an indian be distrust and the lone ranger be fear by those who would do evil . one persistent theme be that when the lone ranger and tonto first encounter an average citizen they be greet with suspicion and and by the end of the episode the citizen have be convince of their value . the trademark end be a secondary character ask the question represent who be that masked man . to really enjoy the series you must accept it for the simplistic morality tale it be intend to be . if you do not take it seriously and keep wishing for some self reflexive campy parody elements you will only get frustrate . then again and what do i know . i be only a child .