Of all the stars Bill Witney worked with in his long career as a director, Roy Rogers' horse Trigger was the only one he wrote a book about - - - "Trigger Remembered (Earl Blair Publishers, 1989)."

It's an easy read (78 pages) that goes well with his autobiography, "In a Door, Into a Fight, Out a Door, Into a Chase (McFarland & Company, 1996)," an up close behind-the-scenes look at much of the Saturday matinee entertainment he helped create at Republic Studios - - - the Zorro, Jesse James, and Dick Tracy serials, the two Lone Ranger serials, "The Fighting Devil Dogs," "The Adventures of Red Ryder," "Spy Smasher," "Captain Marvel," and more.

Actors who were a pain to work with are named, but those who gave their all to entertain Saturday matinee audiences get far more attention.

Like Yakima Canutt:  "There will probably never be another stuntman who can compare with Yakima Canutt.  He had been a world champion cowboy several times and where horses were concerned he could do it all."

And Clayton Moore:  "He turned out to be about the best leading action man any director could ask for.  When you find an actor who looks you right in the eye and isn't afraid to ask questions, you know you've got your schedule made every day and you're going to have a decent picture."