Ep 4. S4 E4 - Prize Winner
- July 27, 1954
- 26 min
The Gene Autry Show was a western television series that aired from 1950 to 1956. The show starred Gene Autry, one of the most famous singing cowboys of the era, and followed him as he battled bad guys and protected his friends in the fictional town of Maple City.
In season 4 episode 4, titled "Prize Winner," Gene Autry finds himself in the middle of a rodeo competition. The rodeo is being held in Maple City, and Gene is one of the contestants. He and his trusty horse Champion have their sights set on the grand prize, but they face stiff competition from some of the best riders in the west.
As the competition heats up, Gene discovers that one of his fellow competitors is cheating. The man is using an electric prod to shock his horse into performing better, which is both cruel and against the rules of the competition. Gene is outraged and decides to confront the cheater.
But before he can do so, something unexpected happens. The man's horse bolts out of control and runs straight towards a group of onlookers. Gene springs into action, putting his own safety on the line to save the innocent bystanders and bring the rogue horse under control.
After the incident, Gene is declared the winner of the competition. But he doesn't feel like celebrating. He knows that he could have easily been injured or killed in the split second it took to react to the runaway horse. And he's still angry about the cheater who put everyone in danger.
Gene confronts the cheater and demands that he leave town immediately. The man protests, but Gene is firm. He won't tolerate that kind of behavior in his town.
In the end, Gene's actions earn him the admiration of his fellow riders and the respect of the townspeople. He may have won the prize money, but he knows that the true reward is knowing that he did the right thing.
"Prize Winner" is a classic episode of The Gene Autry Show, showcasing Gene's bravery and moral code. It's a reminder of a simpler time in television, when heroes were heroes and bad guys got their comeuppance. Fans of westerns and classic television will enjoy this episode, which is a testament to Gene Autry's enduring popularity and talent.
