Television
The Gene Autry Show
Battle Axe
Flying A Pictures
Season 4, Episode 9 (4-09)
Production #74
Network: CBS
Running Time: 30 minutes
Black and White
Original Air Date:
Tuesday, August 31, 1954
Sponsor: Wrigley's Doublemint Chewing Gum
Brief Synopsis:
When an old maid known as "Battle Axe" takes over as sheriff of Jimtown, she is deceived by a smooth-talking confidence man, despite the warnings of former sheriff Dan Carter and Gene Autry.
Detailed Synopsis:
Worried by the increasing crime in Jimtown, Sheriff Dan Carter sends for Gene Autry and Pat Buttram to help him clean house before the big trail herds and the heavy payrolls come in. But, before Gene arrives, Carter is removed from office because of his humanitarian instincts. Belle Anderson, an old maid nicknamed "Battle Axe," is put into office as sheriff. Hearing of this, the outlaw Vasco comes to town with his riders, ingratiating himself with the new sheriff, and they become her deputies. Gene and Pat arrive and are immediately in trouble with Belle – she accuses them of aiding Carter in trying to ruin her attempts to keep the law. Vasco sends one of his men to rob the payroll and plant incriminating evidence in Carter's home. Gene sees the culprit, confronts Vasco and his gang, and barely escapes with his life during the ensuing fight and fire. Meanwhile, following Gene's directions, Carter has rounded up his old deputies in case of trouble, and the outlaws are captured in time. Carter regains his sheriff's star and a sadder, but wiser, "Battle Axe" promises to be a dove of peace from that day forward.
Cast:
| Character: | Performer: |
| Gene Autry | Gene Autry |
| Pat Buttram | Pat Buttram |
| Belle Anderson (Battle Axe) | Mira McKinney |
| Vasco | Rick Vallin |
| Timmy | Peter Votrian |
| Rolf | Terry Frost |
| Sheriff Dan Carter | Francis McDonald |
| Barton | Gregg Barton |
| Jed | Kenne Duncan |
| Trask | Wes Hudman |
| Champion | Champion, World's Wonder Horse |
Songs:
| What's Gonna Happen To Me? | Gene Autry |
Crew:
| Executive in charge of Production |
Armand Schaefer |
| Directed by | George Archainbaud |
| Producer | Louis Gray |
| Screenplay | Virginia M. Cooke |
| Director of Photography | William Bradford, A.S.C. |
| Film Editor | Harvey Manger |
| Musical Director | Carl Cotner |
| Music Supervisor | Irving Friedman |
| Musical Score | Walter Greene |
| Assistant Director | Stanley Neufeld |
| Recorded by | Glen Glenn Sound Company |
