In a Door, into a Fight, Out a Door, into a Chase: Moviemaking Remembered by the Guy at the Door

Early in 1937, a young film editor went on-location to St. George, Utah, for the filming of Republic's The Painted Stallion. Rain and cast problems put the production hopelessly behind schedule. The studio summarily fired the director and replaced him with the film editor. Thus was born the career of one of Hollywood's most famous serial directors, Bill Witney.

Witney went on to direct or codirect 23 Republic serials, working with such stars as William Benedict, Hoot Gibson, Bela Lugosi, and Noah Beery, Sr. Witney's output included some of the most famous cliffhangers of the era, such as Adventures of Red Ryder, Spy Smasher, Drums of Fu Manchu, The Lone Ranger, and The Lone Ranger Rides Again. Though he enjoyed a long career as a feature film and television director, it is the Republic serials for which he is best remembered. This engaging story is a behind-the-scenes look at the heyday of the Hollywood cliffhanger, the making of the movies, and the people involved in them.

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In a Door, into a Fight, Out a Door, into a Chase: Moviemaking Remembered by the Guy at the Door

Early in 1937, a young film editor went on-location to St. George, Utah, for the filming of Republic's The Painted Stallion. Rain and cast problems put the production hopelessly behind schedule. The studio summarily fired the director and replaced him with the film editor. Thus was born the career of one of Hollywood's most famous serial directors, Bill Witney.

Witney went on to direct or codirect 23 Republic serials, working with such stars as William Benedict, Hoot Gibson, Bela Lugosi, and Noah Beery, Sr. Witney's output included some of the most famous cliffhangers of the era, such as Adventures of Red Ryder, Spy Smasher, Drums of Fu Manchu, The Lone Ranger, and The Lone Ranger Rides Again. Though he enjoyed a long career as a feature film and television director, it is the Republic serials for which he is best remembered. This engaging story is a behind-the-scenes look at the heyday of the Hollywood cliffhanger, the making of the movies, and the people involved in them.

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In a Door, into a Fight, Out a Door, into a Chase: Moviemaking Remembered by the Guy at the Door

In a Door, into a Fight, Out a Door, into a Chase: Moviemaking Remembered by the Guy at the Door

by William Witney
In a Door, into a Fight, Out a Door, into a Chase: Moviemaking Remembered by the Guy at the Door

In a Door, into a Fight, Out a Door, into a Chase: Moviemaking Remembered by the Guy at the Door

by William Witney

Overview

Early in 1937, a young film editor went on-location to St. George, Utah, for the filming of Republic's The Painted Stallion. Rain and cast problems put the production hopelessly behind schedule. The studio summarily fired the director and replaced him with the film editor. Thus was born the career of one of Hollywood's most famous serial directors, Bill Witney.

Witney went on to direct or codirect 23 Republic serials, working with such stars as William Benedict, Hoot Gibson, Bela Lugosi, and Noah Beery, Sr. Witney's output included some of the most famous cliffhangers of the era, such as Adventures of Red Ryder, Spy Smasher, Drums of Fu Manchu, The Lone Ranger, and The Lone Ranger Rides Again. Though he enjoyed a long career as a feature film and television director, it is the Republic serials for which he is best remembered. This engaging story is a behind-the-scenes look at the heyday of the Hollywood cliffhanger, the making of the movies, and the people involved in them.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780786422586
Publisher: McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date: 04/07/2005
Pages: 256
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.51(d)
Age Range: 18 Years

About the Author

The late William Witney lived in Pioneer, California.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments    
Foreword by Francis M. Nevins, Jr.    
Preface    

1: The Serials Remembered    
2: Rex, King of the Wild Horses    
3: Larry Wickland    
4: Darkest Africa—The First Serial Under the Republic Banner    
5: The Old Order Changeth    
6: Rider of the Painted Stallion    
7: I Lose a Friend and Gain One    
8: John English    
9: The Lone Ranger    
10: That Old House    
11: The Director’s Guild    
12: Daredevils of the Red Circle    
13: Zorro’s Fighting Legion    
14: Two Duds and a Hot Water Tank    
15: Captain Marvel    
16: Bill O’Sullivan    
17: The Dog Teams    
18: Eddy White    

A Filmography    
Index    
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