Revenge Trail

Flying A Pictures
Production #32
Original Air Date:
Saturday, November 17, 1951
Network: CBS
Season 2, Episode 7 (2-07)
Running Time: 30 minutes
Black and White

Sponsor: Wrigley's Doublemint Chewing Gum

Brief Synopsis:
Using hypnotism, Pat helps Gene solve a series of mysterious murders.

Detailed Synopsis:
While investigating a series of mysterious murders, special U.S. Marshal Gene Autry intervenes in an apparent stagecoach holdup and helps Doc Leary, a medicine peddler. Gene, however, is unaware that Leary actually staged the holdup. Hester Vance, the local marshal’s daughter, is also onboard the stage. At Stop Over, Hester’s father Douglas gets into a fight with his old enemy, Milo Miller. Leary reacts sharply to this and later tells Ennis, the leader of the stagecoach holdup, to kill Vance and Miller in a revenge campaign. Catching Miller riding alone, Leary confronts him and, before killing him, reveals that his real name is Johnny MacClain. While looking for the outlaws, Vance discovers Miller, who, before dying, tells Vance that he, too, is marked for death. Hod Baker, Miller’s foreman, accuses Vance of the murder. Gene reveals he is a marshal and arrests Vance, sure that Miller’s murder is just one of the chain of murders he is investigating. He learns from Vance that he and Miller, as members of a jury, had once sentenced a horse thief named Johnny MacClain to death, but the sentence was commuted. Gene sets out to protect Hester, who is driving home, but Leary/MacClain has set his gang after her. Gene saves Hester and captures Ennis, who confirms his suspicions about Leary. Meanwhile, Pat Buttram has been unsuccessfully practicing hypnotism, but, while Gene is out after Hester, he really hypnotizes Leary, who reveals his true name. Realizing what he has done, Leary goes to kill Vance in jail. Gene arrives just in time to save Vance from the vengeful Leary/MacClain.

Bonus! Syndication Press Release