The Lone Ranger

[TheVileOne]

The character in the past has reinforced Native American/Indian stereotypes of the "red man."

 

[Call Me Darkman]

Plus, he was, more or less, a servant to Lone Ranger instead of an equal.

 

[cherokeesam]

^All those things about Tonto are true to some extent, and Tonto sure as heck isn't a character we look to as a "role model," by any means. But as C. Lee pointed out, even though he was given the "me heap big Indian" cringeworthy dialogue and was forever cursed to being second banana, the *one* thing that we could always be proud about (in the past) was that it was one of the few (hell, probably *only* --- I still can't recall another exception) pre-1970s instances of Hollywood actually giving a true Indian a role. And it made Jay Silverheels about the only recognizable Native American actor in Hollywood until the 1970s.

So it's more than a little ironic that a role that Hollywood could point to in the early days as an example of *not* whitewashing has now, sixty years later in a more enlightened era of equal opportunity and ethnic authenticity, become an embarrassing example of latter-day whitewashing.

 

[DarkKnight88]

How is Tonto an insult to Native Americans? I always saw him as a person standing up for the rights of all people and fighting injustice. Seems like a good thing to me.

"Him say man ride over ridge on horse"

The word Tonto also means "fool" so take that as you will

But as C. Lee pointed out, even though he was given the "me heap big Indian" cringeworthy dialogue and was forever cursed to being second banana, the *one* thing that we could always be proud about (in the past) was that it was one of the few (hell, probably *only* --- I still can't recall another exception) pre-1970s instances of Hollywood actually giving a true Indian a role. And it made Jay Silverheels about the only recognizable Native American actor in Hollywood until the 1970s.

Is that something to be proud of? Stepin Fetchit was played by an African American actor in one of the only lead roles for a black actor during that time. He even became a millionaire, the first black actor to do so but I can't think of anyone who is "proud" of that.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

It is kind of bizarre that people are complaining and an actor acting. This reminds me of when people said they would boycott the new Battlestar because Starbuck was a woman.

The whole point of acting is to transform yourself into a completely different person. Daniel Craig really isn't a member of the British Secret Service.

 

[terry78]

It is kind of bizarre that people are complaining and an actor acting. This reminds me of when people said they would boycott the new Battlestar because Starbuck was a woman.

The whole point of acting is to transform yourself into a completely different person. Daniel Craig really isn't a member of the British Secret Service.

That's what they want you to think.

 

[DarkSovereignty]

It is kind of bizarre that people are complaining and an actor acting. This reminds me of when people said they would boycott the new Battlestar because Starbuck was a woman.

The whole point of acting is to transform yourself into a completely different person. Daniel Craig really isn't a member of the British Secret Service.

everything I know is a LIIIIIEEEE ::flips a table::

 

[Gold Samurai]

Richard Branson is actually Tony Stark and George Clooney is Bruce Wayne

Mind.Blown.

 

[DarkSovereignty]

I bet Patrick Stewart isn't a real star fleet captain. goodbye childhood.

 

[Pink Ranger]

It is kind of bizarre that people are complaining and an actor acting. This reminds me of when people said they would boycott the new Battlestar because Starbuck was a woman.

The whole point of acting is to transform yourself into a completely different person. Daniel Craig really isn't a member of the British Secret Service.

You are so naive! What better cover is there, other than posing as an actor playing a secret agent!

 

[cherokeesam]

It is kind of bizarre that people are complaining and an actor acting. This reminds me of when people said they would boycott the new Battlestar because Starbuck was a woman.

The whole point of acting is to transform yourself into a completely different person. Daniel Craig really isn't a member of the British Secret Service.

Yup....I think most of us are all well aware of that fact.
Difference is, Daniel Craig doesn't go around claiming to be a member of MI-6. Depp, on the other hand, goes around claiming to be an Indian, and he's not.

 

[DarkKnight88]

Depp, on the other hand, goes around claiming to be an Indian, and he's not.

He could be. He certainly looks mixed with something. All he claimed was that his great-grandmother might be Cherokee or Creek Indian. Who knows? But it's certainly not out of the realm of possibility.

 

[Tanin]

I don't even blame Depp. He probably believes it himself.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Yup....I think most of us are all well aware of that fact.
Difference is, Daniel Craig doesn't go around claiming to be a member of MI-6. Depp, on the other hand, goes around claiming to be an Indian, and he's not.

First, the only reason Depp has to even mention his Native American heritage is because of bizarre outrage about an actor playing certain parts. It would be a non-issue if not for this weird fascination by certain people.

Second, you have no idea what Depp's heritage is, so I don't know how you can claim he isn't. You sound like those looking for Obama's birth certificate.

 

[Whiskey Tango]

I don't even blame Depp. He probably believes it himself.

He's probably been told this by his family all his life, why shouldn't he? Hell MY grandmother and her sisters claim we're part Cherokee via one of their great grandparents. It's not exactly an unknown phenomena here in the south.

And I have my doubts that this 'magic logbook' has recorded every single Cherokee-related semen deposit in the last 300 years so while you might have your doubts about Depp's claims I don't think you can say for certain one way or the other.

 

[C. Lee]

The character in the past has reinforced Native American/Indian stereotypes of the "red man."

I don't think it did. Although as some are pointing out, his speech pattern and use of words were not what is considered proper English....you have to take into account that he is playing someone who is learning a different language than what he grew up with at a later stage in life. He grew up speaking his native American language and then learns English. Studies have proven it is easier to learn another language when a child than when you are older.

At a time where the media portrayed Native Americans as cruel, evil, unintelligent, sneaky, uncontrollable of their baser instincts, etc.....Tonto was portrayed as brave, intelligent, trustworthy, helpful, kind, etc.....

Plus, he was, more or less, a servant to Lone Ranger instead of an equal.

I have never seen him that way. He aids and helps and assists the Lone Ranger....but he doesn't act like a servant.

"Him say man ride over ridge on horse"

I addressed that issue above.

The word Tonto also means "fool" so take that as you will

Several points about that -

1)I've heard that it means that in Spanish. That doesn't mean that it means it in other languages.
2)I haven't heard if the creator of the characters had any idea about the possible meanings of the word.
3)It's possible it's a name given to him by others because he works with the white men.
4) My name is Calvin....if you research the name one of it's meanings is BALD. One of my nicknames among my friends is "Caveman" because I am so hairy. So take that as you will too.

Is that something to be proud of? Stepin Fetchit was played by an African American actor in one of the only lead roles for a black actor during that time. He even became a millionaire, the first black actor to do so but I can't think of anyone who is "proud" of that.

Stepin Fetchit (and in case any are wondering, I saw many of the movies he appeared in) played stereotypicly bad images of black people at the time. He reinforced the image that blacks were dumb, slow, lazy, dimwitted, etc....Jay Silverheels played characters that portrayed Native Americans as hardworking, brave, reliable, honest, kind.....

So yes....I would say that he was something to be proud of.

 

[Asgard]

I read that the creator of Tonto made him Potawatomi because he grew up in Michigan where the Potawatomi were indiginous.

Also, in the Potawatomi language, Tonto translated to wild man.

 

[cherokeesam]

I read that the creator of Tonto made him Potawatomi because he grew up in Michigan where the Potawatomi were indiginous.

Also, in the Potawatomi language, Tonto translated to wild man.

You're right on the first part, wrong on the second part.

The creator of Tonto for the radio serial drew on what little he knew about Indians in his home state of Michigan, and so made him part of the Potawatomi tribe and remembered the term "kemo sabe" from their language.

The name "Tonto" came from band of Apache in Arizona, a group given the disparaging name of "crazy people" by other Southwestern tribes for their wildness. The Spanish translated it as "tonto" (foolish). The creator just liked the sound of it, probably never knowing what it actually meant; it's just a common place name in Arizona.

 

[Asgard]

Thats pretty cool.

 

[Project862006]

 

[terry78]

Minus the crow, it doesn't look bad.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

It looks like a deleted scene from Fear and Loathing.

 

[Pink Ranger]

I don't even blame Depp. He probably believes it himself.

Knowing Depp, he probably still asks his family what ever happened to the candy factory he used to own, or why his friend Alice never visits anymore.

 

[ross2287]

Knowing Depp, he probably still asks his family what ever happened to the candy factory he used to own, or why his friend Alice never visits anymore.

I can totally picture that. Especially if he asks each question in the character's different voice. Hahahaha

 

[chelo248]

You're right on the first part, wrong on the second part.

The creator of Tonto for the radio serial drew on what little he knew about Indians in his home state of Michigan, and so made him part of the Potawatomi tribe and remembered the term "kemo sabe" from their language.

The name "Tonto" came from band of Apache in Arizona, a group given the disparaging name of "crazy people" by other Southwestern tribes for their wildness. The Spanish translated it as "tonto" (foolish). The creator just liked the sound of it, probably never knowing what it actually meant; it's just a common place name in Arizona.

And in the spanish dubbing (latin american) of The Lone Ranger they changed "tonto" for "toro" which means "bull".