The Lone Ranger Old Joe's Sister (1949–1957) Online

As that is what this episode was titled in the DVD I picked up, 'False Identity.' But both give a fair idea of what the story is about, escaped outlaw, Biff Baker, takes over the identity of Old Joe to fool the law but Joe's long lost sister is coming to visit. Cue the masked man sorting things out and bringing the would be killer to justice. Standard entry in the long running series, marked out by a good acting turn by Lester Sharpe as the aforementioned Baker. Sneering cruelty and nice turn of phrase as the psychotic murderer. Unusual in this series where black and white one dimensional characterisation was the norm.

Everything is pretty predictable as was the case in all the stories but still a better than average one. And Tonto doesn't go into town or get knocked out in this one either!

This is an unusual episode in which there is a killing.

Two men are on the run. Before the Lone Ranger could get to the jail to escort them to their destination, they tricked the sheriff and broke jail. Now they are running from the Lone Ranger and Tonto. They come up on a cabin with only an old man that is rumored to have gold. Thinking they can pull the wool over his sister's eyes who will arrive at any minute to live there, they shoot the man so one can pose as the old man. To make it believable, he also shoots his partner.

Abigail, the sister, is a good spit-fire and a pretty good character for this episode. She and The Lone Ranger can banter pretty good, and she's pretty good with a shotgun. Though The Lone Ranger was temporarily fooled, Abigail was not.

Moral of the story? Don't try to pose as somebody's sibling.

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