The Gene Autry Show is an American western/cowboy television series which aired for 91 episodes on CBS from July 23, 1950 until August 7, 1956, originally sponsored by Wrigley's Doublemint chewing gum.[1]
| The Gene Autry Show | |
|---|---|
 Title card | |
| Also known as | Melody Ranch |
| Genre | Western |
| Directed by | |
| Starring |
|
| Theme music composer |
|
| Opening theme | "Back in the Saddle Again" |
| Ending theme | "Back in the Saddle Again" |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 5 |
| No. of episodes | 91 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 25 minutes |
| Production company | Flying 'A' Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | CBS |
| Release | July 23, 1950 – August 7, 1956 |
| Related | |
Overview
editThis section needs additional citations for verification. (July 2023) |
Series star Gene Autry had already established his singing cowboy character on radio and films. Now he and his horse Champion were featured in a weekly television series of western adventures. Gene's role changed almost weekly from rancher, to ranch hand, to sheriff, to border agent, etc. Gene's usual comic relief and sidekick, Pat, was played by Pat Buttram. During the first season, Gene's sidekick was played by Chill Wills twice (as Chill) and by Fuzzy Knight four times (as Sagebrush). Alan Hale, Jr. played a bad guy in several episodes of Seasons 1 and 2, but he also played Gene's sidekick, Tiny, in two episodes of Season 1. Dick Jones was cast in ten episodes of The Gene Autry Show and acted in two other Flying A Productions, The Range Rider and Buffalo Bill, Jr.
Production
editAutry established his own production company, Flying A Productions,[2] and acted as executive director for the series.[citation needed]
The theme song Back in the Saddle Again was written by Autry and Ray Whitley and sung by Autry.[3]
Initially the show was broadcast on Sundays from 7 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. In July 1953 it was moved to Tuesdays from 8 to 8:30 p.m. E. T. In September 1954, It was moved to Saturdays from 7 to 7:30 p.m. E. T.[3]
Episodes were syndicated by CBS Television Film Sales.[4]
Critical response
editA review in TV Guide in 1954 said that episodes of the show were entertaining for young viewers but were "in too much of a rut for the majority of their elders".[5] The review added, "This weekly triumph of good over evil makes for beneficial viewing for the kids, and maybe that’s Autry’s sole aim."[5] It noted Pat Buttram's appeal to young viewers and added, "Others in the cast are uniformly competent."[5]
Spin-offs
editThe Gene Autry Show had two spin-offs, The Adventures of Champion and Annie Oakley.[2]
Home media
editTimeless Media Group has released all five seasons on DVD in Region 1, fully restored and uncut.[6][7][8][9]
On December 10, 2013, Timeless Media released The Gene Autry Show- The Complete series.[10]
| DVD Name | Ep # | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| The Complete First Season | 26 | June 7, 2011 |
| The Complete Second Season | 26 | November 22, 2011 |
| The Complete Third and Fourth Seasons | 26 | April 10, 2012 |
| The Complete Fifth Season | 13 | May 21, 2013 |
| The Complete Series | 91 | December 10, 2013 |
References
edit- ^ Woolery, George W. (1985). Children's Television: The First Thirty-Five Years, 1946-1981, Part II: Live, Film, and Tape Series. The Scarecrow Press. pp. 189–192. ISBN 0-8108-1651-2.
- ^ a b McNeil, Alex (1996). Total Television: the Comprehensive Guide to Programming from 1948 to the Present (4th ed.). New York, New York: Penguin Books USA, Inc. p. 315. ISBN 0-14-02-4916-8.
- ^ a b Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle F. (2009). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. Random House Publishing Group. p. 521. ISBN 9780307483201. Retrieved December 3, 2016.
- ^ "TV Film Purchases". Billboard. September 20, 1952. p. 10. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Reviews: The Gene Autry Show". TV Guide. June 4, 1954. p. 14. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
- ^ "The Gene Autry Show DVD news: Announcement for the Gene Autry Show - Season 1 | TVShowsOnDVD.com". Archived from the original on 2011-04-16. Retrieved 2011-05-06.
- ^ "The Gene Autry Show DVD news: Announcement for the Gene Autry Show - the Complete 2nd Season | TVShowsOnDVD.com". Archived from the original on 2013-02-18. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
- ^ "The Gene Autry Show DVD news: Box Art and Extras for the Gene Autry Show - the Complete 3rd & 4th Seasons | TVShowsOnDVD.com". Archived from the original on 2012-02-02. Retrieved 2012-02-01.
- ^ "The Gene Autry Show DVD news: Announcement for the Gene Autry Show - the Final Season | TVShowsOnDVD.com". Archived from the original on 2013-02-16. Retrieved 2013-03-01.
- ^ "The Gene Autry Show DVD news: Box Art and Extras for the Gene Autry Show - the Complete Series | TVShowsOnDVD.com". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-09-11.
External links
edit- The Gene Autry Show at IMDb
- Behind-the-scenes production photos Collection of Stephen Lodge.