The Bandidos

Flying A Pictures
Production #55
Original Air Date:
Tuesday, September 1, 1953
Network: CBS
Season 3, Episode 8 (3-08)
Running Time: 30 minutes
Black and White

Sponsor: Wrigley's Doublemint Chewing Gum

Brief Synopsis:
A senator aids Gene in battling an outlaw gang, who are trying to swindle the townspeople into putting up money for a new dam.

Detailed Synopsis:
Sheriff Asa Wendall is trying to convince Senator Murphy to build a new dam for the county when the territory is invaded by Frank Lassiter and his gang. Pat Buttram mistakes Lassiter for Senator Murphy and sets him up in the town’s best hotel suite. Lassiter convinces the local banker and Mayor that the people should put up a token amount toward the dam to show their good faith. While Lassiter puts on his act as the Senator, Gene Autry busily digs up clues, deliberately misleading Lassiter by asking him about a dead Congressman friend. The real Senator shows up and Gene has to keep him undercover until he has the money and Lassiter in safekeeping. It takes a good fight to do it, in which the real Senator takes a gleeful part. He also okays the new dam—much to the relief of the townspeople.

Bonus! Syndication Press Release