Ep 10. S4 E10 - Outlaw Of Blue Mesa
- September 7, 1954
- 26 min
The Gene Autry Show is a classic Western TV series that ran from 1950 to 1955. The show stars legendary singing cowboy Gene Autry as himself, a famous performer who also uses his skills to catch outlaws and keep his town safe. Each episode features Autry singing a few songs and solving a problem of some kind, often with the help of his trusty horse Champion and his sidekick, Pat Buttram.
In season four, episode ten, titled "Outlaw of Blue Mesa," Autry finds himself in a familiar situation: tracking down a dangerous criminal who has been wreaking havoc on the community. The outlaw in question is a man named Jess Hackett, played by actor Steve Darrell, who has been stealing from local ranches and causing trouble for the law-abiding citizens of Blue Mesa.
Autry begins his investigation by visiting a ranch owned by a man named Luke Reynolds, played by Alan Hale, Sr. Reynolds explains to Autry that Hackett has been stealing his cattle and driving them off his land, and he wants the singing cowboy to help him put a stop to it. Autry agrees, and he sets out to track down Hackett and bring him to justice.
As he searches for Hackett, Autry meets a young woman named Mary Masters, played by Kaye Elhardt, who has been living alone on her family's ranch since her father died. Mary is tough and independent, but she's also lonely and afraid - she knows that Hackett has been lurking around her property and stealing from her, and she worries that he will hurt or kill her if she tries to stop him. Autry takes a liking to Mary and offers to help her protect her land from Hackett.
Despite the danger posed by Hackett, Autry and Mary refuse to back down. They team up and come up with a plan to catch Hackett in the act, setting a trap that will lead him straight into the hands of the law. The plan works, and Hackett is caught and brought to justice, much to the relief of the people of Blue Mesa.
As always, Autry sings a few songs throughout the episode, including "Riders in the Sky" and "I'm Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes." The episode also features Pat Buttram's comedic antics, as he tries to impress Mary with his "manly" skills and ends up getting himself into trouble.
Overall, "Outlaw of Blue Mesa" is a classic episode of The Gene Autry Show, featuring all the elements that made the series a hit with audiences in the 1950s: action, adventure, romance, and of course, plenty of music. With Autry's charm and talent on full display, it's no wonder that the show remains a beloved classic to this day.