by Hal Erickson
synopsis
Ever the champion of the underdog, Hoss Cartwright is determined to prove that the gold mine owned by his friend McNulty (Wally Cox) is not as worthless as everyone claims. To this end, Hoss is gulled into purchasing a "gold detector"-which, amazingly, actually seems to work! A gang of impressionable crooks decides to steal the detector, leading to complications both amusing and adventuresome. The supporting cast includes such TV-western stalwarts as Paul Fix, Dub Taylor and Chubby Johnson. Originally telecast on December 24, 1967, "The Gold Detector" was written by Ward Hawkins.