Television
The Gene Autry Show
T.N.T.
Flying A Pictures
Season 1, Episode 24 (1-24)
Production #24
Network: CBS
Running Time: 30 minutes
Black and White
Original Air Date:
Sunday, December 31, 1950
Sponsor: Wrigley's Doublemint Chewing Gum
Brief Synopsis:
Gene gets in unexpected trouble when he befriends an apparently homeless little girl.
Detailed Synopsis:
Colonel Towne and his eleven-year-old daughter, Theodora, nicknamed T.N.T. after her initials, acquire the ranch next to Gene Autry's. When Gene refuses to sell him a section of land for a practice racetrack, the Colonel offers his foreman Seth Weaver and his assistant Ed Sims a bonus if they can persuade Gene to sell. Unbeknownst to the Colonel, his employees are outlaws. They start a nuisance campaign, stampeding cattle and tearing down fences. T.N.T. makes friends with Gene under an assumed name because of the feud. Sagebrush rides in to tell Gene his barn has been burned town and the evidence points to Sims, so Gene goes after the criminal. During the savage fight that follows, T.N.T. makes a noise, diverting Gene's attention, and Sims knocks him out. The Colonel orders Gene off his ranch, and T.N.T. follows. The Colonel finds his daughter missing and, with Sims and Weaver, goes for Sheriff Downey, who wants Gene's help in tracking the girl. When they find her at Gene's ranch, T.N.T. accuses Gene of kidnapping in order to protect herself. Gene escapes arrest and goes to the State Capitol to get evidence against Sims and Weaver. Later, T.N.T. arrives at Gene's ranch to warn him there is a price on his head. Just as Gene and Sagebrush are about to leave, Weaver and Sims corner them and, with the sheriff and Colonel, start a gun battle. T.N.T. waves a white towel out the window and during the truce, admits lying about Gene. Sagebrush tells Sheriff Downey about Weaver and Sims. Weaver goes for his gun, but Gene outdraws him. Sims puts up a stiff battle, but Gene knocks him off a cliff. T.N.T. is cured of lying, and the Colonel and Gene become friends.
Cast:
| Character: | Performer: |
| Gene Autry | Gene Autry |
| Sagebrush | Fuzzy Knight |
| Theodora Natalie Towne (T.N.T.) | Eilene Janssen |
| Colonel Thaddeus Towne | Stanley Andrews |
| Ed Simms | Dick Curtis |
| Seth Weaver | Chuck Roberson |
| Sheriff Downey | James Harrison |
| Champion | Champion, World's Wonder Horse |
Songs:
| She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain (Partial) |
Gene Autry |
| Tears on My Pillow | Gene Autry |
| Tears on My Pillow | Gene Autry |
Crew:
| Executive in charge of Production |
Armand Schaefer |
| Directed by | George Archainbaud |
| Producer | Louis Gray |
| Screenplay | Dwight Cummins |
| Director of Photography | William Bradford |
| Film Editor | Sherman Rose |
| Musical Director | Carl Cotner |
| Music Supervisor | Irving Friedman |
| Musical Score | Walter Greene |
| Recorded by | Glen Glenn Sound Company |
