Whirlwind

Great opening hook—why is Gene robbing a stage, of all things. Fine Autry entry that goes beyond programmer level. The plot's pretty complex as Gene maneuvers against Big Jim Lassiter (A-movie actor Hall) whose got plenty of tricks up his own sleeve. Postal agent Gene's trying to foil the kingpin's outlaw operation. Frankly, I had trouble following all the twists, but that's okay since that's not why I tune in anyway. I can see why Gene fell for personality gal Gail Davis: she's perfect for an outdoor western, and he would soon move her into her own series, Annie Oakley (1954-57). Burnette gets a few hijinks but nothing buffoonish.

In fact both customary humor and musical interludes are minimal in this later entry (1951). Looks like Gene, the producer, was trying to alter the usual formula. Still, if memory serves, the novelty tune Twiddle O'Twill made the charts of the time. It's certainly catchy. There's also some expected hard riding, a heckuva street brawl, and a showy stage crack-up, for action fans. On the other hand, I could have done without Gene's corny Whirlwind aspect, but that's a minor feature. All in all, it's still a solid 70-minutes of matinée entertainment, courtesy Autry Productions.

An "8" on the matinée scale.