From one of the most entertaining western programs on early TV, this "The Gene Autry Show" entry is one of the best. In those days Gene was still making movie westerns. The TV series was so well done that often the series was better than the movies.
This time Gene is a horse trainer and Pat is a tailor with his own shop. A man named Ramsey (Denver Pyle) wants Pat's business to enable him to turn the entire block into a casino. Pat provides plenty of laughs at the beginning of the program when he is being chased by two of Ramsey's henchmen, Frank (John Doucette) and Sloan (Gregg Barton), because a pair of pants he made for Slaon would fit an elephant. A hilarious fisticuffs takes place in Pat's tailor shop where he first tries to disguise himself as a mannequin between two other dummies. His pretense is uncovered when Sloan, lighting a cigarette, tries to strike a match on Pat's face.
That this show tries to be different is one reason for its success. Not only is Pat the comical sidekick but the outlaws join in on the fun. John Doucette, usually a wooden but mean galoot, dresses up like a woman and delivers the laughs. He becomes an effective foil for Pat. Even Gregg Barton, nearly always an ornery hombre, gets in on the fun. Notice that the title is itself humorous, a mimicking of the popular song and movie of the day, "Buttons and Bows." Another plus for this show is Gene as a horse trainer gets to show off Champion's talents, which are many.
Gene had a stable of actors and actresses by this time for his TV series and movies. Besides the supporting players already mentioned, Myron Healey plays the sheriff and Elaine Riley plays Joyce Lawson, one of Pat's regular customers and a friend to Gene who helps him catch the bad guys. Many parents of the day voiced their disapproval of the poor grammar used in shoot-em-ups as if the Old West cowboys spoke perfect English. Perhaps in response to this, Joyce Riley attempts to teach Pat correct usage of the King's English. Whatever the reason the English lessons provide a bundle of chuckles. Gail Davis usually appeared on the Gene Autry Show. Riley makes a good sub for her.
Pat, though not the best at physical humor, had a winning personality, was funny looking, and talked funny. He made Gene the best partner ever, with the possible exception of Smiley Burnette. Smiley had an added attraction that Pat lacked. That was Smiley's musical ability. He could write songs, sing them in an entertaining manner, and play just about any musical instrument placed in his hands, including a few of his own concoction. He wrote many a song for Gene to record. Gene usually put his name on the songs too, but to his credit, Gene always left Smiley's on the tune when it wasn't legally required. And without Gene's promotion, the songs, in all probability, would not have been hits. Gene sang one song per show. This time it's "Hoofbeats Pounding on the Prairie," which Gene sang from inside a cabin for a likeness of himself sitting in a chair on the outside, to serve as a decoy for the Ramsey gang.
The story is routine as always, basically what has been set forth above: The Ramsey gang is after Pat's shop and go about trying to bankrupt him so he'll have to sell to Ramsey. This leads to plenty of action and comedy to keep the entire family entertained for thirty minutes. If you haven't seen any of Gene's TV shows, this is a good one to watch.
This time Gene is a horse trainer and Pat is a tailor with his own shop. A man named Ramsey (Denver Pyle) wants Pat's business to enable him to turn the entire block into a casino. Pat provides plenty of laughs at the beginning of the program when he is being chased by two of Ramsey's henchmen, Frank (John Doucette) and Sloan (Gregg Barton), because a pair of pants he made for Slaon would fit an elephant. A hilarious fisticuffs takes place in Pat's tailor shop where he first tries to disguise himself as a mannequin between two other dummies. His pretense is uncovered when Sloan, lighting a cigarette, tries to strike a match on Pat's face.
That this show tries to be different is one reason for its success. Not only is Pat the comical sidekick but the outlaws join in on the fun. John Doucette, usually a wooden but mean galoot, dresses up like a woman and delivers the laughs. He becomes an effective foil for Pat. Even Gregg Barton, nearly always an ornery hombre, gets in on the fun. Notice that the title is itself humorous, a mimicking of the popular song and movie of the day, "Buttons and Bows." Another plus for this show is Gene as a horse trainer gets to show off Champion's talents, which are many.
Gene had a stable of actors and actresses by this time for his TV series and movies. Besides the supporting players already mentioned, Myron Healey plays the sheriff and Elaine Riley plays Joyce Lawson, one of Pat's regular customers and a friend to Gene who helps him catch the bad guys. Many parents of the day voiced their disapproval of the poor grammar used in shoot-em-ups as if the Old West cowboys spoke perfect English. Perhaps in response to this, Joyce Riley attempts to teach Pat correct usage of the King's English. Whatever the reason the English lessons provide a bundle of chuckles. Gail Davis usually appeared on the Gene Autry Show. Riley makes a good sub for her.
Pat, though not the best at physical humor, had a winning personality, was funny looking, and talked funny. He made Gene the best partner ever, with the possible exception of Smiley Burnette. Smiley had an added attraction that Pat lacked. That was Smiley's musical ability. He could write songs, sing them in an entertaining manner, and play just about any musical instrument placed in his hands, including a few of his own concoction. He wrote many a song for Gene to record. Gene usually put his name on the songs too, but to his credit, Gene always left Smiley's on the tune when it wasn't legally required. And without Gene's promotion, the songs, in all probability, would not have been hits. Gene sang one song per show. This time it's "Hoofbeats Pounding on the Prairie," which Gene sang from inside a cabin for a likeness of himself sitting in a chair on the outside, to serve as a decoy for the Ramsey gang.
The story is routine as always, basically what has been set forth above: The Ramsey gang is after Pat's shop and go about trying to bankrupt him so he'll have to sell to Ramsey. This leads to plenty of action and comedy to keep the entire family entertained for thirty minutes. If you haven't seen any of Gene's TV shows, this is a good one to watch.
