Jay Silverheels in cast


I recall seeing Drums Across The River at age 10 or 11. In one scene, Audie Murphy is taken into the Indian tribal burial grounds by the outlaws to search for gold. Murphy has been told previously to stay out. When the Indians suddenly appear out of nowhere, the outlaws are lassoed and dragged to their death. One of them is played by veteran cowboy star Bob Steele. I recall reading an article where he supposedly suffered injuries to his thumb during this scene. The Indian chief approaches Murphy whose hands have been tied and says "You were told never to come back here." At that point, my attention was focused on the chief as I recognized his voice as Jay Silverheels who was playing Tonto on the Lone Ranger TV show. Apparently, his contract allowed him to still make movies even though he was essentially a TV performer. TV was considered by the film industry to be a serious rival. Since Silverheels was not dressed in the buckskin outfit he wore as Tonto, I had not paid any attention until he spoke.

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I remember reading the same thing about Steele's injury when he was being dragged away. When he was screaming, everybody thought he was just acting. For me, the scene in OF MICE AND MEN where Lon Chaney crushes his was one of scenes that I always remembered from childhood. Steele also had a double in OMAM as well as DEATH VALLEY RANGERS.

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Jay Silverheels had a lot of other roles during the years when the Lone Ranger was in production.

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0798855/?ref_=nv_sr_1?ref_=nv_sr_1

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