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

Fun Autry Fact:

In the late 1930s, Gene turned down an offer of $3,000 to endorse a brand of cigarette.

Television
The Gene Autry Show

The Western Way

Flying A Pictures
Season 2, Episode 18 (2-18)
Production #51
Network: CBS
Running Time: 30 minutes
Black and White

Original Air Date:
Friday, February 1, 1952

Sponsor: Wrigley's Doublemint Chewing Gum

Brief Synopsis:

Gene and Pat capture a bank robber, who turns out to be their friend Ma Walker's son.

Detailed Synopsis:

Gene Autry and Pat Buttram deliver a letter to Ma Walker from her son Billy, whom she thinks is ranching in Arizona. He apologizes for not being able to see her for Mother's Day and includes $100. Later, when Gene and Pat return to town, they see a bank holdup and ride out after the bandits. They capture one of them, only to discover he is Ma Walker's son Billy and a member of the Walt Brady Gang. Gene lets Billy visit Ma under the promise that he will go to jail later. The next day, Brady's gang ambush Gene and Pat and take Billy prisoner. Sheriff Dan Kincaid, thinking they let him go, arrests Gene and Pat. At the jail, Ma tells Gene she is going after Billy to help him. Gene and Pat then trick the deputy and escape. Ma Walker drives her buggy right into the enemy camp and orders Billy's release, starting a mild war with Ma doing her bit with a buggy whip. Gene and Pat arrive just as Brady is about to shoot Billy. Brady uses Ma as a shield to protect himself, but she jumps on his foot and the free-for-all begins. The sheriff and his posse arrive and take over. Billy is eventually freed for turning over state's evidence and promises to go straight, "The Western Way."


Cast:

Character: Performer:
Gene Autry Gene Autry
Pat Buttram Pat Buttram
Billy Walker Dick Jones
Emily "Ma" Walker Mira McKinney
Walt Brady Harry Lauter
Sheriff Dan Kincaid Steve Clark
Dixon Don Harvey
Russ Bob Wilke
Champion Champion, World's
Wonder Horse

Songs:

Billy Boy Gene Autry

Crew:

Executive in charge
of Production
Armand Schaefer
Directed by George Archainbaud
Producer Louis Gray
Screenplay Norman Hall
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 The Western Way: