Invariably, the program began with a newsreel and maybe a cartoon, but thereafter it was showdowns all the way. First a black-and-white film in which Gene Autry, Tim Holt, the Durango Kid or Hopalong Cassidy would routinely thwart a bunch of owlhoots and their suited, mustachio-ed boss. The formula of these films was precise—they were always hampered by a dim-witted sidekick, but possessed a horse smarter than both pardners; the mustachio-ed one oppressed his various villainous schemes—be it range war, or mining rights squabble, or freight company versus railroad—upon an old man or old woman who had a pretty daughter that could be kissed in the middle of the film, used as a hostage in the villain’s last stand and finally waved to as the heroes rode off into the sunset.