The Official Website of Gene Autry, America's Favorite Singing Cowboy

Fun Autry Fact:

In 1940, and probably for several years before and after, the Gene Autry cap pistol was the main industry in Kenton, Ohio, a town of then 7,000.

Film Info

Riders of the Whistling Pines

1949
Columbia Pictures
Production #: 911
70 minutes

Synopsis:
Ex-Forest Ranger Gene Autry believes he has accidentally killed another Ranger, Carter, when he fires at a dangerous mountain lion. Carter, however, was actually murdered by Bill Wright, associate of lumberman Henry Mitchell, because he discovered a moth infestation in the forest, which, if not reported, would kill the trees, profiting Mitchell and the lumber interest. En route to Texas, Gene discovers the moth infestation and is assigned by the Forest department to supervise spraying the area with DDT from the air. After the first day's spraying, furious farmers blame the DDT for the many animals found poisoned. Gene, however, suspects a strange plane heard flying during the night. Gene's pal, Joe Lucas, discovers the "phantom" plane hidden at the Mitchell Mill and is shot by Wright. Gene confronts Mitchell at his mountain cabin, but walks into a trap. When Joe flies to find Gene and warn him, he deliberately crashes into the cabin. Joe, Wright and Mitchell are killed in the explosion.

Cast:

Character: Performer:
Gene Autry Gene Autry
Helen Carter Patricia White
Joe Lucas Jimmy Lloyd
Henry Mitchell Douglass Dumbrille
Bill Wright Damian O'Flynn
Pete Clayton Moore
Dr. Dan Chadwick Harry Cheshire
Abner Weaver Leon Weaver
Cass County Boys Cass County Boys
The Pinafores The Pinafores
Champion Champion

Songs:

IT'S MY LAZY DAY Gene Autry
ROAMIN' AROUND THE RANGE Gene Autry, Cass County Boys
HAIR OF GOLD, EYES OF BLUE Jimmy Lloyd
HAIR OF GOLD, EYES OF BLUE Gene Autry
EVERY TIME I FEEL THE SPIRIT Cass County Boys
THE LITTLE BIG DRY Gene Autry, Cass County Boys
TOOLIE OOOLIE DOOLIE The Pinafores
THE YELLOW ROSE OF TEXAS Gene Autry
HAIR OF GOLD, EYES OF BLUE Gene Autry, Cass County Boys

Crew:

A Gene Autry Production
Director John English
Producer Armand Schaefer
Writer Jack Townley
Director of Photography William Bradford
Art Director Harold MacArthur
Film Editor Aaron Stell
Set Decorator William Kiernan
Musical Supervisor Paul Mertz
Musical Director Mischa Bakaleinikoff

Watch a Clip from Riders of the Whistling Pines: