This big coffee table book looking into the history of Republic Pictures and its output, stars, genres, leading ladies, cowboys, serials, stunt men, and so on, is not without flaws, but it does provide a flavorful overview of the famous studio and is packed with lots of photos. Republic did not just do low-budget programmers but also came out with movies such as John Ford's The Quiet Man and the Joan Crawford western Johnny Guitar, among others. The book looks at how Republic Pictures played a significant role in John Wayne's career (and vice versa) and also looks at the studio's relationships with such as Gene Autrey and Roy Rogers. Studio founder Herbert J. Yates took a shine to skating star Vera Hruba Ralston, whom he later married, and nearly bankrupted the studio by trying to make a major star out of her. The emergence of television didn't help matters much, either, although Republic rented out sound stages to TV shows and also produced their own programs. This is a good, attractive-looking volume, although there are odd omissions. The appendix of films is not complete, especially when it comes to the serials -- no mention anywhere of the four Republic Dick Tracy serials, for instance.
Verdict: Interesting and often informative look behind-the-scenes at Republic Pictures. ***
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