The Gene Autry Show: Gold Dust Charlie
Originally Broadcast on CBS, 7 PM Eastern, July 30, 1950
Plot: Gene Autry and his traveling performers witness the murder of a gold prospector and attempt to run down the killers after discovering gold on the old prospector’s claim.
Analysis: As you can guess, the plots on Gene Autry are seldom very deep. Unlike Studio One, they only have a half hour to work with and, at the time, pathos was not always a requirement for a Western. Of note, Alan Hale Jr. can be spotted playing one of the “heavies” in this episode. He’ll show up periodically in a variety of shows before landing the role of The Skipper on Gilligan’s Island.
Bottom Line: Like I said, hardly deep entertainment, but quite fun if you enjoy a good Western and Autry is quite the talent both as an actor and singer. It is interesting to see Autry playing the same “character” but different story lines and arcs depending on the episodes.
As I said in the last post, The Gene Autry Show did have eight episodes released on DVD in 2001 by Image Entertainment, but these have since been discontinued. Gold Dust Charlie was found on Gene Autry Show – Gold Dust Charlie (http://www.amazon.com/Gene-Autry-Show-Gold-Charlie/dp/B00005B6KE/ref=sr_1_42?s=STORE&ie=UTF8&qid=1284501821&sr=1-42). May want to check ebay.com or Amazon Sellers if you want to try and run down a copy.
More Autry next time.
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