In
a secret room at Radio Ranch we find teenage
Frankie Darro puzzled over strange
underground rumblings that occur when Gene Autry sings. Little does
Frankie know that activities at Radio Ranch are being monitored 20,000 feet
below by a music critic out to destroy anyone who annoys her.
And no one annoys her more than Gene Autry.
"To the rescue!" Frankie shouts, and his Junior Thunder Rider's Club members
ride off to confront the lady's mysterious Royal Guardsmen sent to silence
Gene.
Gene wasn't sure there were words to describe this first serial of the sound
era, but "Smiley had a nice part in it," he was happy to say.
Smiley was Smiley Burnette, his long-time pal.
A relationship of complete harmony
between two big talents was as rare as snow on Gower Street, but here was
one.
"Smiley joined me in touring, backed me up on recordings, made a lot of pictures
with me, and kept everything fun," Gene said.
"He was amazing. He played every musical instrument, wrote and published
over 300 songs, and couldn't read a note of music."