Both he and Moore deserve credit for this series where a Native played a hero, and actually played by a Native instead a white actor in bad makeup and a horsehair wig. Moore also deserves credit for doing his best to make the character an upstanding moral example for children. LR avoided violence if possible, resorting to it only for self defense, upholding the law and protecting all people.
My mother was a huge fan of the series and both actors. Tonto was so amazing in 1949. Natives were always shown as ignorant savages deserving to be killed off. Even Hollywood's good guys like Henry Fonda and Bob Hope were depicted mocking Indians.
The LR series changed that. Tonto was a hero. He had dignity and grace and decency. He was good. After decades as a stuntman and extra, Silverheels became part of the national conversation of how does America view and treat its minorities.
Some complain he speaks in broken English. Honestly, do you know how hard it is to learn a second language as an adult? Some view him as subservient to the LR, but this is false. They were partners and friends. The second thing was amazing to see depicted during segregation days, when Indians still couldn't vote in some states.
My mother was a huge fan of the series and both actors. Tonto was so amazing in 1949. Natives were always shown as ignorant savages deserving to be killed off. Even Hollywood's good guys like Henry Fonda and Bob Hope were depicted mocking Indians.
The LR series changed that. Tonto was a hero. He had dignity and grace and decency. He was good. After decades as a stuntman and extra, Silverheels became part of the national conversation of how does America view and treat its minorities.
Some complain he speaks in broken English. Honestly, do you know how hard it is to learn a second language as an adult? Some view him as subservient to the LR, but this is false. They were partners and friends. The second thing was amazing to see depicted during segregation days, when Indians still couldn't vote in some states.