Television
The Gene Autry Show
The Ruthless Renegade
Flying A Pictures
Season 2, Episode 19 (2-19)
Production #45
Network: CBS
Running Time: 30 minutes
Black and White
Original Air Date:
Friday, February 8, 1952
Sponsor: Wrigley's Doublemint Chewing Gum
Brief Synopsis:
U.S. Marshals Gene and Pat are drawn into the conflict between a crusading newspaperwoman and a ruthless town leader.
Detailed Synopsis:
When U.S. Marshal Gene Autry and his deputy Pat Buttram ride into the lawless frontier town of Dry Gulch, they are drawn into the conflict between the decent citizenry and the ruthless, power-hungry mayor Fred Mason. Gene criticizes Mason's handling of town affairs, so Mason reacts by immediately appointing Gene sheriff. Gene, of course, takes his job seriously. Also concerned about lawlessness is Jane Winslow, editor of the town paper The Weekly Banner, who publishes stories about the corrupt town officials. However, Mason and his heavies, Spike and Gaffer, always burn her paper before it can be circulated. Jane and her husband Paul are estranged because Paul does not approve of Jane's devotion to the paper. Timmy, their son, just wants his parents to be together. He and Pat are working on a song that Pat has started. Gene finds out exactly what he is up against when he tries to lock up Spike, who shot at him through the jailhouse window. A "trial" takes place and the outlaw is set free. Gene begins to suspect that Mason is working for somebody bigger. That boss is Doc Armstrong, who is determined to stop Jane and her paper. When Armstrong kidnaps Timmy, Paul regrets his limited role as a father and sets out after his son, but Armstrong's heavies capture him. He and Timmy find comfort in completing Pat's song. They sing it, and Armstrong looks on with a half smile. Gene and Pat follow the trail of the kidnappers and wait for them. They engage in a spectacular fight near and in a lake. Mason, Spike, and Gaffer are captured. Gene overhears Armstrong humming Pat's song and knows that he is the boss. Jane, Paul, and Timmy are once again a happy family, and Gene and Pat leave town singing Pat's song, "Texas Plains."
Cast:
| Character: | Performer: |
| Gene Autry | Gene Autry |
| Pat Buttram | Pat Buttram |
| Jane Winslow | Jane Frazee |
| Doc Armstrong | Roy Gordon |
| Timmy Winslow | Bruce Norman |
| Fred Mason | Dennis Moore |
| Gaffer | Gregg Barton |
| Paul Winslow | James Anderson |
| Spike | Ed Hinkle |
| Champion | Champion, World's Wonder Horse |
Songs:
| Texas Plains | Gene Autry and Pat Buttram |
Crew:
| Executive in charge of Production |
Armand Schaefer |
| Directed by | George Archainbaud |
| Producer | Louis Gray |
| Screenplay | Elizabeth Beecher |
| Director of Photography | William Bradford, A.S.C. |
| Film Editor | Tony Wollner |
| Musical Director | Carl Cotner |
| Music Supervisor | Irving Friedman |
| Musical Score | Walter Greene |
| Assistant Director | Nathan Barragar |
| Recorded by | Glen Glenn Sound Company |
