Gene Autry starring role by Levine in 1935 in the 12-part serial "The Phantom Empire." Shortly thereafter, Mascot was absorbed by the newly formed Republic Pictures Corp. and Autry went along to make a further 44 films up to 1940, all B Westerns in which he played under his own name, rode his horse, Champion, had Burnette as his regular sidekick, and had many opportunities to sing in each film. Pat Buttram was picked by Gene Autry, recently returned from his World War II service in the United States Army Air Forces, to work with him. Buttram would co-star with Gene Autry
Gene Autry, Oklahoma Walker and Robert Gillio. Gene Autry is located in northeastern Carter County at (34.281858, -97.036927). It is bordered to the north by Murray County. A portion of the city of Ardmore, separate from the main part of the city, borders Gene Autry to the east and contains the Ardmore Municipal Airport. The center of Ardmore is southwest of Gene Autry by highways 53 and 77. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which is land and , or 1.72%, is water. The town's area has expanded significantly to the north of