As a fan of Gene Autry since before the fantastically entertaining tv show, I need to point out that the tv show was never called "Melody Ranch." "Melody Ranch" was the name of the radio show than ran from 1940 until 1955 or 56. There has never been that much interest in the radio show, and it is one of the better shows put together, great production values. During his war service, according to announcements on those shows, Gene continued the "Melody Ranch" show but at a Sergeant's pay, not as a cowboy star. Gene was a real patriot all the way round.