Git Along Little Dogies 1937

Oil drilling begins and controversy erupts

Doris Maxwell starts drilling for oil, hoping to tap wealth for her family. Gene Autry strongly opposes the project, fearing it will ruin the territory’s water supply. The clash sets up a conflict between progress and preservation that will run through the story.

Maxwell's embezzlement revealed

Doris' father, Maxwell, bank president, has embezzled $25,000 to bankroll the drilling. The revelation fuels distrust and personal vendettas between Doris and Gene. The stakes rise as the community’s finances hang in the balance.

Tire shot and horse theft

Gene shoots out Doris' car tires, halting her advance toward the drilling site. Doris retaliates by stealing Gene's horse, Champion, escalating their feud. The confrontation forces both toward a more direct confrontation.

Radio sting to discredit Gene

Doris runs a radio program above Sing Low's cafe, broadcasting Gene on an oil-sponsored show to smear his reputation. Gene uncovers the trick and vows to track her down. The manipulation demonstrates how media can be weaponized in a resource war.

Wilkins pushes the dry-well tale

George Wilkins, in charge of drilling, tells Doris the well is dry and asks for more funds from her father. Doris doesn’t know Wilkins is scheming to swindle Maxwell and to pay for equipment while stalling. The deception sets Wilkins up as the villain behind the operation.

Wilkins aims to seize the lease

Wilkins intends to take over the profitable land once the bank’s lease expires. He plans to control the oil’s future and sideline Maxwell and his daughter. The motive intensifies the power struggle surrounding the oil boom.

Payroll hold-up and rescue

While delivering payroll to the drilling site, Wilkins and his henchmen hold Doris and the money. Gene arrives to help and ends up returning the money to Doris, earning a grudging trust. Doris continues toward the drilling site, unaware of Wilkins’ deeper treachery.

Maxwell’s suicide attempt and cover-up

Back at the bank, Maxwell receives news of an approaching bank examiner and attempts suicide. Gene intervenes and protects Maxwell from embezzlement charges, staging the incident as if Maxwell was shot during a robbery. The ruse hides the bank’s corruption from the public eye for the moment.

Railroad leverage prompts public support

Gene learns the railroad will go through town if the oil comes in, prompting him to publicly support drilling. Wilkins, aiming to avoid scrutiny, orders his men to hold Gene until the lease is transferred. The town braces for a broader showdown over development.

Gene escapes and sparks a town-wide chase

Gene escapes captivity and warns the townspeople about Wilkins’ crooked dealings. Wilkins spreads rumors that Gene swindled investors, and later claims Gene was behind the bank robbery. A mob gathers, intensifying the pursuit and fear of corruption.

Sam Brown is discovered and treated

At the oil well, Gene meets Sam Brown, an oil worker who was shot by Wilkins after discovering the well only needed dynamiting to come in. Gene arranges for a doctor to treat Sam and continues to push for action against Wilkins. The incident reveals the human cost of the scheme.

Dynamite and the well comes in

Gene and Frog Millhouse dynamite the well, despite Wilkins’ opposition and the crowd’s distrust. The blast brings the well in, and the Maxwell-Autry company begins to prosper. The success proves the townspeople’s hope that honest effort can prevail.