| The Gene Autry Show | |
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Title card
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| Also known as | Melody Ranch |
| Genre | Western |
| Directed by |
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| Starring |
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| Theme music composer |
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| 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 (1950-07-23) – August 7, 1956 (1956-08-07) |
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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]
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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.
By this time, Autry had established his own production company, Flying 'A' Productions, and acted as executive director for the series.
The series lasted five seasons. The first four were in black and white, and the final season (thirteen episodes) was in color. Color was experimented with in two episodes of the first season. The theme song Back in the Saddle Again was written by Autry and Ray Whitley and sung by Autry.[2]
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.
The Gene Autry Show had a 26-episode prime-time spin-off called The Adventures of Champion (1955–56).[citation needed]
Timeless Media Group has released all five seasons on DVD in Region 1, fully restored and uncut.[3][4][5][6]
On December 10, 2013, Timeless Media released The Gene Autry Show- The Complete series.[7]
| 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 |
