Television
The Gene Autry Show
Twisted Trails
Flying A Pictures
Season 1, Episode 17 (1-17)
Production #16
Network: CBS
Running Time: 30 minutes
Black and White
Original Air Date:
Sunday, November 12, 1950
Sponsor: Wrigley's Doublemint Chewing Gum
Brief Synopsis:
Gene helps a thirteen-year-old Eastern boy who has traveled west in search of his father, a man he does not know is actually an outlaw.
Detailed Synopsis:
As the winner of a bronc riding competition at a rodeo, rancher Gene Autry has to have his picture taken. During the session with photographer Felicia Summers, Gene is uncomfortable, but settles down when Pat Jensen suggests Gene play a song. Sudden gunshots outside interrupt the session, and Gene and Pat leave to investigate. Sheriff Wade Clark and his deputy fire at three disappearing gunmen when Gene sees the fourth, Bill Watterson, trying to steal Champion. On a whistle from Gene, Champ rears, and throws Watterson to the ground. After a fight, Watterson escapes. During the search that follows, Gene and Pat discover thirteen-year-old Eddie Baker hiding in the livery barn, who has traveled west looking for his father. He has a small photo that proves to be rustler Jim Baker, one of Watterson's gang. Gene takes Eddie under his wing and teaches him to ride and hunt at his ranch, the Flying A. In an effort to trap Baker, Sheriff Clark has Weekly Ledger reporter Andy McBride write a huge story about Eddie mentioning that the boy is staying at Gene's ranch. A short time later, Baker tries to see his son and gets into a fight with Gene, who assures him he will not be harmed; but, the sheriff sees the outlaw. Baker recognizes his son when Eddie tells the sheriff's posse where the outlaws have laid a trap for them. When Baker tries to stop Watterson from gunning Eddie, Watterson shoots him causing the ambush to fail, thus saving the posse. Eddie runs to his father, and the outlaws surrender to Gene and the posse. Because Baker was instrumental in saving their lives, Sheriff Clark slips him a deputy's badge so that Eddie can think his father had been working on the right side of the law.
Cast:
| Character: | Performer: |
| Gene Autry | Gene Autry |
| Pat Jensen | Pat Buttram |
| Felicia Summers | Lynne Roberts |
| Bill Watterson | Alan Hale, Jr. |
| Jim Baker | Jim Bannon |
| Deputy | Rand Brooks |
| Eddie Baker | Billy Gray |
| Sheriff Wade Clark | Ed Dearing |
| Andy McBride | Paul Campbell |
| Brad Owens | Stan Jolley |
| Champion | Champion, World's Wonder Horse |
Songs:
| Room Full of Roses | Gene Autry |
| Back in the Saddle Again | Gene Autry |
Crew:
| Executive in charge of Production |
Armand Schaefer |
| Directed by | George Archainbaud |
| Producer | Louis Gray |
| Screenplay | Dwight Cummins |
| Director of Photography | William Bradford |
| Film Editor | Jodie Copelan |
| Musical Director | Carl Cotner |
| Music Supervisor | Irving Friedman |
| Recorded by | Glen Glenn Sound Company |
