I Was That Masked Man - Premium Novel for Adults | Mystery & Adventure Book | Perfect for Book Clubs, Gifts & Relaxing Reading

Clayton Moore tried to lived by the Lone Ranger code, and the writing here sounds like a product of that code--a good word for everyone, or at least as close to a good word (and moral lesson) as possible, with pure motives always ruling his actions and reactions. But especially bizarre is Clayton's late, real-life run-in with the Manson family just weeks before the Sharon Tate murder, when the gang, possible including Squeaky Fromme and Charles himself, camped out at a blind rancher's spread. It almost sounds like an LR episode, but with an understandably clueless Moore wondering who these kids are, then asking himself later if they had been Lone Ranger fans who somehow went wrong, and re-devoting himself to being a good influence. And yet the book is endlessly likeable, with a love of life and many details, big and small, that will delight fans of the show and of Moore: Clayton's early days as an athletic trazepe artist (performing at the 1934 World's Fair and taking in a few Sally Rand shows!); his serials with Noel Neil and Phyllis Coates (Lois Lanes both); his fondness for Jay Silverheels; his second wife's relations with John Barrymore and his own (platonic) one with Lupe Velez; why the LR mask changes shape; the special lighting used to bring out his blue eyes, etc, etc. Despite its determined blandness, it is a real treat in hundreds of ways--including dozens of photos masked and unmasked, one a goofy comic shot with eyes crossed that looks strangely like Hugh Laurie in a comic mood! The late Moore is now himself part of those thrilling days of yesteryear. I wish that I had met him! (P.S. I can't resist correcting one small error. The book claims Roy Barcroft played the role of Crane in the Republic Serial Ghost of Zorro. Either Clay or his ghost confused this; Barcroft, a prolific B-movie actor, plays the evil sidekick Kilgore. Crane is played by another familiar face, Gene Roth.)