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
Autry Inman Autry Inman Robert Autry Inman (January 6, 1929 – September 6, 1988) was an American country and rockabilly musician. Inman was born in Florence, Alabama, and was performing on local radio station WLAY by age 14. He used his middle name "Autry" (or "Autrey") as his stage name. After completing school he worked as a reporter for the "Lauderdale Co. Law & Equity Court". Shortly thereafter he was tapped to join Cowboy Copas's band, the "Oklahoma Cowboys", as a bassist. Aside from this he also played in George Morgan's Candy Kids until 1952. He released his first solo singles on