Ep 12. S4 E12 - Boots And Ballots

The Gene Autry Show season 4 episode 12 entitled "Boots And Ballots" follows Gene Autry as he becomes involved with the election of a new sheriff in the town of Torpedo. The current sheriff, Sheriff Barnes, is up for re-election against a newcomer named Tom Blakely. Sheriff Barnes has been in office for a long time and is well-liked by many in the town, but there are also those who believe it's time for a change.

Gene is asked by Sheriff Barnes to help him campaign for re-election. At first, Gene agrees to help, but when he learns that the Sheriff is involved in some shady dealings, he decides to withdraw his support. Gene learns that Sheriff Barnes has been working with a group of landowners to cheat the townspeople out of their land. Sheriff Barnes has been taking bribes and using his authority to strong-arm the townspeople into selling their land at low prices. Gene doesn't want to be associated with this kind of behavior, so he decides to back Tom Blakely instead.

Tom Blakely is a young and ambitious man who believes that the town needs new leadership. He's also a skilled athlete and plans to use his love of sports to win over voters. He challenges Sheriff Barnes to a game of basketball with the winner getting the endorsement of a famous local athlete named Johnny Starr. Sheriff Barnes agrees to the challenge, thinking that he can use his influence to get Johnny Starr to endorse him, but Gene has other plans. Gene helps Tom Blakely train for the game and advises him on how to win over Johnny Starr. In the end, Tom Blakely wins the game and Johnny Starr endorses him for Sheriff.

Throughout the episode, Gene also becomes romantically involved with a local schoolteacher named Cathy Williams. Cathy is a smart and independent woman who isn't afraid to speak her mind. She supports Tom Blakely and is impressed by Gene's honesty and integrity. As the election draws closer, the Sheriff's supporters become more aggressive and try to intimidate Tom Blakely and his supporters. Gene and Cathy work together to expose the Sheriff's corruption and protect Tom Blakely and his campaign.

"Boots And Ballots" is a classic episode of The Gene Autry Show. It's a classic Western story that pits good against evil and highlights the importance of integrity and honesty in politics. It's also a love story, as Gene and Cathy's relationship plays a significant role in the episode. The episode showcases Gene Autry's talent as an actor, singer, and athlete. It also features some exciting basketball scenes that are sure to entertain viewers of all ages. Overall, "Boots And Ballots" is a must-see episode for fans of classic Western television and Gene Autry.