Television
The Gene Autry Show
The Million Dollar Fiddle
Flying A Pictures
Season 5, Episode 1 (5-01)
Production #87
Network: CBS
Running Time: 30 minutes
Color
Original Air Date:
Saturday, October 1, 1955
Sponsor: Wrigley's Doublemint Chewing Gum
Brief Synopsis:
An eleven-year-old violinist falls into the hands of crooks when he runs away from home and the concert stage to visit Gene’s ranch.
Detailed Synopsis:
When the Westbound Limited makes its usual brief stop at Autryville, a small boy slips from the train to look for Gene Autry. Eleven-year-old Reggie Regalado has played solo concerts all over the world; his famed violin is insured by Boyd's of London. However, Reggie, a real kid at heart, would gladly trade his million-dollar violin for a chance to be a cowboy on Gene's ranch. The train is well on its way again before Gene discovers the boy. Gene takes him to the Flying A Ranch, then sends a telegram to the Westbound Limited informing Reggie's governess, Miss Nona Nixon, and Reggie's uncle and impresario, Signor Luis Corelli, that both the boy and his violin are safe. Meanwhile, the new foreman Buck Bowman, with the help of a couple of henchmen, has secretly branded some of Gene's stock. Bowman learns that Gene suspects his activities and that it's only a matter of time until Gene traces the cattle thefts. As a result, Bowman and his men decide to beat it. They take Reggie's million-dollar violin, planning to peddle it back to the insurance company. Gene, aided by Pat Buttram and Reggie, breaks up the scheme, recovers the violin, and captures all three criminals. Signor Corelli offers a reward to Gene for his work, and Gene insists that Reggie be allowed to spend every summer at the Flying A.
Cast:
| Character: | Performer: |
| Gene Autry | Gene Autry |
| Pat Buttram | Pat Buttram |
| Signor Luis Corelli | Nestor Paiva |
| Buck Bowman | Harry Lauter |
| Reggie Regalado | Peter Votrian |
| Miss Nona Nixon | Jean Howell |
| Railroad Conductor | Joe Besser |
| Bradley | Frank Jenks |
| Cliff Maddern | Mike Ragan |
| Little Champ | Little Champ |
| Champion | Champion, World's Wonder Horse |
Songs:
| The Yellow Rose of Texas | Gene Autry |
| Back in the Saddle Again | Gene Autry and Cast |
Crew:
| Executive in charge of Production |
Armand Schaefer |
| Directed by | Ray Nazarro |
| Teleplay by | John K. Butler |
| Producer | Louis Gray |
| Director of Photography | William Bradford, A.S.C. |
| Supervising Film Editor | Anthony Wollner |
| Film Editor | Bruce B. Pierce, A.C.E. |
| Musical Director | Carl Cotner |
| Music Supervisor | Irving Friedman |
| Musical Score | Walter Greene |
| Music Editor | Erma E. Levin |
| Assistant Director | Stanley Neufeld |
| Recorded by | Glen Glenn Sound Company |
