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

Fun Autry Fact:

When the famous "Hollywood" sign fell into disrepair in 1978, various entertainers agreed to buy a letter for $27,777.77. Gene bought the first "L."

Television
The Gene Autry Show

Return of Maverick Dan

Flying A Pictures
Season 2, Episode 11 (2-11)
Production #30
Network: CBS
Running Time: 30 minutes
Black and White

Original Air Date:
Saturday, December 15, 1951

Sponsor: Wrigley's Doublemint Chewing Gum

Brief Synopsis:

Gene is on the trail of Maverick Dan when he meets the man’s sister. The girl believes her brother is innocent and asks Gene to investigate. When he does, he discovers surprising results.

Detailed Synopsis:

Deputy Marshal Gene Autry arrives in Cottonwood to track down a supposed outlaw, Maverick Dan Blake. He meets Dan's twelve-year-old sister, Barbara, known as "Bobbie," as she is being evicted by Rusty and Clay, two of Mayor Johnson's henchmen. Gene befriends Bobbie, hoping that the girl's fanatical faith in her brother will be justified. However, evidence is against Dan. No sooner has Gene found Bobbie a place to stay, than the outlaws led by Maverick Dan stage a raid. Gene pursues them, but they escape. Seeking a clue to the outlaws' operations, Gene searches the mayor's office and discovers that the land around Cottonwood is rich in tungsten ore. Johnson surprises him in the act and is about to turn Gene over to the sheriff, but Pat Buttram helps him escape. Meanwhile, Bobbie, deciding to warn her brother that Gene is on his trail, finds Dan's clothes in an old shack. Rusty and Clay catch her there and make her sign a note, which will supposedly bring Dan in, but is in reality a ruse to trap Gene. On the way to find Bonnie, Gene discovers the real Maverick Dan, who has been shot by Johnson and left for dead. When the outlaws converge on the shack, Gene proves that the "Maverick Dan" of the raids is really Mayor Johnson in disguise. With Bobbie's help, Gene outwits the outlaws and brings them to justice.


Cast:

Character: Performer:
Gene Autry Gene Autry
Pat Buttram Pat Buttram
Bobbie Blake Carole Nugent
Mayor Elliot Johnson James Craven
Sheriff Ewing Mitchell
Rusty Ben Weldon
Maverick Dan Blake Robert Peyton
Clay Myron Healy
Joe Lee Morgan
Champion Champion, World's
Wonder Horse

Songs:

Roll On Little Doggies Gene Autry and Pat Buttram

Crew:

Executive in charge
of Production
Armand Schaefer
Directed by George Archainbaud
Producer Louis Gray
Screenplay Polly James
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 Nate Barragar
Recorded by Glen Glenn Sound Company

Watch a Clip from Return of Maverick Dan: