AMC Pays Tribute to Gene Autry on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

BETHPAGE, N.Y.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Oct. 2, 1998--On Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT, American Movie Classics salutes legendary actor and songwriter Gene Autry by presenting the one-hour special "Gene Autry: Melody of the West" (1994).

Narrated by Autry fan Johnny Cash, "Gene Autry: Melody of the West" chronicles the life of America's singing cowboy and his rise to fame.

The special represents Autry's official life story, beginning with the actor's childhood, his rise in radio and his evolution into one of America's greatest heroes. "Gene Autry: Melody of the West" is Autry's story as told by Autry himself, with help from those who have been by his side on and off the screen: Ann Rutherford (who gave Autry his first on-screen kiss); Gail Davis (television's Annie Oakley), Autry's frequent young co-star; country western legend Patsy Montana; and Autry's musical sidekicks, The Cases Country Boys (Fred Martin and Jerry Scorns).

"Gene Autry was one of the founding fathers of the Western genre," said AMC's prime-time host Bob Dorian. "He personified the American cowboy hero and will be missed. As a boy, I spent many hours being entertained by his Saturday serials at the movies."

American Movie Classics is the premier 24-hour movie network, featuring award-winning original productions about the world of American film. With one of the finest, most comprehensive libraries of classic films from the 1930s through the 1970s and a diverse blend of original programming, the service brings to life the sophistication and style of a revolutionary era in American film.

All motion pictures are presented as they were originally intended to be seen -- uninterrupted and without colorization. AMC can be seen in 68 million homes.