The Doodle Bug

Flying A Pictures
Production #3
Original Air Date:
Sunday, August 13, 1950
Network: CBS
Season 1, Episode 4 (1-04)
Running Time: 30 minutes
Black and White

Sponsor: Wrigley's Doublemint Chewing Gum

Brief Synopsis:
While Gene and Pat are out investigating numerous holdups, they narrowly escape a landslide trap.

Detailed Synopsis:
Stagecoach line superintendent Gene Autry and jack-of-all-trades Patrick Smith are out investigating numerous holdups, when they pick up Lucy Lawrence, a schoolteacher who missed the stage. On the way to the next stop, they come upon an empty stagecoach and the driver, Collins, bound and gagged. A landslide blocks the main road, so they try to take a detour through “Kingpin” Tyler’s property. After besting Tyler and his gang in a fight, they continue to Dentonville. Once there, they find Mrs. Wilkins, the stage manager, a sour woman with a ten-year-old pest for a son, Edgar, in charge. Mason, the stage clerk, recognizes Lucy as a former dancehall girl, and she is refused the job as a schoolteacher. Later, while at the scene of roadblock, Gene discovers it’s a hoax, and an attempt is made on his life. During the chase that follows, Gene tracks the man to Tyler’s ranch. Mason is also a leader of the gang and plans to get rid of Gene and Pat. When Pat and Edgar are in the barn talking about the doodle-bug, which finds water or gold, Edgar inadvertently discovers the stage gold hidden in nail kegs in Pat’s wagon. Collins overhears the entire conversation, so he steals the kegs when Pat is busy buying a license to peddle junk. Pat chases him and meets Gene on the road. Gene overtakes Collins, who is shot when he’s about to reveal who’s behind the holdups. Tyler and his gang bind Gene and Pat and take them to the ranch to await the “Boss.” Mason then arrives and demands the rest of the gold. Gene, by a clever ruse, starts a fight, which continues until the arrival of Lucy and the sheriff.

Bonus! Syndication Press Release