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Television
The Gene Autry Show

Melody Mesa

Flying A Pictures
Season 2, Episode 14 (2-14)
Production #38
Network: CBS
Running Time: 30 minutes
Black and White

Original Air Date:
Friday, January 4, 1952

Sponsor: Wrigley's Doublemint Chewing Gum

Brief Synopsis:

Gene’s sheriff friend asks the cowboy to pose as a music teacher to trap a counterfeiting gang.

Detailed Synopsis:

Sheriff Ed Jackson suspects that the old Merritt Silver Mine is a counterfeiting gang's headquarters. He recruits Gene Autry to pose as a music teacher in order to gain access to the Merritt household. After being thwarted in his first attempt to investigate, Gene makes a recording of his voice, leaves it playing, and sneaks out of the house unnoticed. He and Pat Buttram investigate the mine tunnels separately. Pat discovers the hideout, pockets some of the coins, and starts to hunt for Gene, just as the foreman Robinson and some of his men discover Gene. Pat tries to help Gene in the ensuing fight, but is knocked unconscious. Gene is then taken to Roger Merritt, who proves he is not involved in the counterfeiting activities. Pat, suffering from a mild case of amnesia, returns to town and innocently tries to pass one of the counterfeit coins, but is unable to remember where he found it. Sheriff Jackson locks him up and sends for Gene. Pat regains his memory, and along with Gene and the sheriff head back to the Merritt ranch. Robinson, the real culprit, fearing discovery, has his two henchmen dismantle the hideout and pile the equipment in a wagon. Gene, Pat, and Jackson arrive in time to see them driving through the gate. They give chase and capture the trio as well as the incriminating evidence.


Cast:

Character: Performer:
Gene Autry Gene Autry
Pat Buttram Pat Buttram
Joan Merritt Gail Davis
Jessica James Belle Mitchell
Robinson George J. Lewis
Professor Sharp Denver Pyle
Sheriff Ed Jackson Harry Harvey
Roger Merritt Ewing Mitchell
Cliff Riley Hill
Guard Jim Brittain
Champion Champion, World's
Wonder Horse

Songs:

Ages and Ages Ago Gene Autry
Back in the Saddle Again Pat Buttram

Crew:

Executive in charge
of Production
Armand Schaefer
Directed by George Archainbaud
Producer Louis Gray
Screenplay Betty Burbridge
Director of Photography William Bradford, A.S.C.
Film Editor Jodie Copelan
Musical Director Carl Cotner
Music Supervisor Irving Friedman
Musical Score Walter Greene
Assistant Director Stanley Neufeld
Recorded by Glen Glenn Sound Company

Watch a Clip from Melody Mesa: