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
Jackie Autry Barbara Sinatra Children's Center. She is President of Gene Autry Music Publishing Companies which houses four publishing companies. She is President of the Autry Foundation which was established by Gene and Ina Autry. Funding from this Foundation provided the funds to build a world class western history museum contiguous to the Los Angeles Zoo. The . Museum now called the Autry National Center houses the Museum of the American West, Southwest Museum of the American Indian and the Institute for the Study of the American West. After 13 years she retired as Board chairman and now holds the position of