Series star Gene Autry had already established his singing cowboy character on radio and films. Now he and his horse Champion were featured in a weekly television series of western adventures. Gene’s role changed almost weekly from rancher, to ranch hand, to sheriff, to border agent, etc. Gene’s usual comic relief and sidekick, Pat, was played by Pat Buttram. During the first season, Gene’s sidekick was played by Chill Wills twice (as Chill) and by Fuzzy Knight four times (as Sagebrush). Alan Hale, Jr. played a bad guy in several episodes of Seasons 1 and 2, but he also played Gene’s sidekick, Tiny, in two episodes of Season 1.

By this time, Autry had established his own production company, Flying ‘A’ Productions, and acted as executive director for the series.

The series lasted five seasons. The first four were in black and white, and the final season (thirteen episodes) was in color. Color was experimented with in two episodes of the first season. The theme song Back In the Saddle Again was written by Autry and Ray Whitley and sung by Autry.[2]