Television
The Gene Autry Show
The Lawless Press
Flying A Pictures
Season 2, Episode 17 (2-17)
Production #33
Network: CBS
Running Time: 30 minutes
Black and White
Original Air Date:
Friday, January 25, 1952
Sponsor: Wrigley's Doublemint Chewing Gum
Brief Synopsis:
Sheriff Gene Autry faces a newspaper publisher with an egomaniacal nose-for-news who prints headlines reporting crimes before they are committed.
Detailed Synopsis:
Editor and publisher of The Tribune Jud Halsey prints the headline "Gold Stage Robbed – Sheriff Killed" before the crime happens. His son Burke, a crooked deputy sheriff, is in charge of carrying it out. Father and son hope that Burke will be promoted to sheriff, which will allow them to run the town. Burke kills the sheriff according to plan, but does not count on Gene Autry, who stops the robbery with Pat Buttram's help. Mine boss Abner Barnes is so grateful, he nominates Gene as the new sheriff. Despite protests from Jud and Burke, the town councilmen agree. Angry, Jud and Burke plan to make a fool of Gene by "arresting" Pete, one of Burke's henchmen. Pat, meanwhile, appointed as an "undercover agent," sneaks around town investigating. He overhears actor Lucifer Lane's conversation that is peppered with the words "stage," "murdered," and "gold" and arrests the Shakespeare-quoting thespian. Back at the sheriff's office, Burke brings in Pete, whom Barnes recognizes as one of the stage robbers because of his raspy, distinctive voice. Gene promptly locks up Pete. Lucifer is eventually freed and plays the guitar while Gene sings. When the song is finished, Pete unlocks his cell and knocks Gene unconscious. Burke and Jud demand Gene's resignation, but he refuses. Jud then fixes the stage and prepares the headline "Stage Robbed Again – Autry Killed." Pat wanders into the newspaper office, bothers Jud, and leans against the printer, getting ink on his shirt. While washing up, he notices that the headline "Autry Killed" has transferred to his sleeve. Pat sets out to find Gene, who is accompanying the stage. During the wild chase and shootout that follows, Pat saves Gene's life, and all of Burke's heavies are killed. As soon as Gene sees the headline, the jig is up, and Jud and Burke Halsey arrested, never to manipulate the town again.
Cast:
| Character: | Performer: |
| Gene Autry | Gene Autry |
| Pat Buttram | Pat Buttram |
| Jud Halsey | Roy Gordon |
| Lucifer Lane | George Pembroke |
| Tommy | Bruce Norman |
| Abner Barnes | Dennis Moore |
| Burke Halsey | James Anderson |
| Pete | Gregg Barton |
| Joe Bonner | Ed Hinkle |
| Champion | Champion, World's Wonder Horse |
Songs:
| When You and I Were Young, Maggie |
Gene Autry |
Crew:
| Executive in charge of Production |
Armand Schaefer |
| Directed by | George Archainbaud |
| Producer | Louis Gray |
| Screenplay | Robert Schaefer and Eric Freiwald |
| Director of Photography | William Bradford, A.S.C. |
| Film Editor | Tony Wollner |
| Musical Director | Carl Cotner |
| Music Supervisor | Irving Friedman |
| Musical Score | Walter Greene |
| Assistant Director | Nathan Barragar |
| Recorded by | Glen Glenn Sound Company |
