Television
The Gene Autry Show
The Peacemaker
Flying A Pictures
Season 1, Episode 22 (1-22)
Production #23
Network: CBS
Running Time: 30 minutes
Black and White
Original Air Date:
Sunday, December 17, 1950
Sponsor: Wrigley's Doublemint Chewing Gum
Brief Synopsis:
Gene helps a rainmaker and several honest ranchers drive out land-swindlers and a drought.
Detailed Synopsis:
Deputy U.S. Marshal Gene Autry is held up by Dave Anders, an outlaw with a stolen marshal's badge. Anders steals Champ, but is killed when the horse runs him under a tree. Looking through Anders' papers, Gene suspects that there is trouble at Pronghorn Gap. In town, Gene finds out there is a devastating drought, which Chill Wills, rainmaker extraordinaire, is attempting to relieve. In addition, a gang of masked raiders is trying to drive out the settlers in the area. Evidence points to banker George Hubbard and his son Bill, who was engaged to Ellie March, a young woman Gene meets when her ranch is raided and her brother shot. Bert Monaghan, who is actually behind the raids, knows where there is subterranean water and is using the Orcutt Gang to terrify the ranchers. He also sent for phony marshal Anders. Gene discovers the Hubbards are honestly drilling for water, but Ellie will not believe it and is determined to tell the community the father and son are guilty. Gene dissuades her, and they set a trap for the schemers. During the melee that follows, Chill accidentally sets off a powder charge bringing in the Hubbards' well, thus saving the countryside. Gene captures Orcutt and Monaghan and brings Ellie and Bill Hubbard together again.
During the filming of this episode, comedian Pat Buttram was seriously injured in a premature cannon blast – a "special effect" intended as a prop for the "rainmaker." The episode was completed with Chill Wills taking over Pat Buttram's role.
Cast:
| Character: | Performer: |
| Gene Autry | Gene Autry |
| Chill Wills | Chill Wills |
| Dave Anders | Russ Hayden |
| Ellie March | Peggy Stewart |
| Bill Hubbard | James Griffith |
| Bert Monaghan | Robert Filmer |
| Orcutt | Reed Howes |
| George Hubbard | Sam Flint |
| Tom | Tom Monroe |
| Crook | Kermit Maynard |
| Champion | Champion, World's Wonder Horse |
Songs:
| A Heart as Big as Texas | Gene Autry |
| Let Me Cry on Your Shoulder | Gene Autry |
Crew:
| Executive in charge of Production |
Armand Schaefer |
| Directed by | Frank McDonald |
| Producer | Louis Gray |
| Screenplay | Paul Gangelin |
| Director of Photography | William Bradford |
| Film Editor | Jodie Copelan |
| Musical Director | Carl Cotner |
| Music Supervisor | Irving Friedman |
| Musical Score | Walter Greene |
| Recorded by | Glen Glenn Sound Company |
