PRODUCER DIES

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30978, 7 February 1966, Page 18

PRODUCER DIES

Created Many Cowboy Stars

(N.Z.P.A.-Rfuter—Copyright) HOLLYWOOD, Feb. 6. The cawtoy star-maker, Herbert J. "fates, has died, aged 85.

Mr Yates, formerly the president of Republic Pictures Corporation, was the man who first gave star roles tn such actors as John Wayne, Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. Westerns we?e the backbone—almost the entire output—of the corporation. Mr Yaites could turn them out in five to seven days, alternating plots to fit the leading men. He was fortunate in his choice of cowboy stars. His first big name was John Wayne. Later he was successful in converting an Oklahoma radio singer named Gene Autry into a singing cowboy. Mr Yates, who retired in 1959, died at his home at Sherman Oaks, California. He suffered a stroke in Italy late last year. He was known as a strict disciplinarian and a rough opponent to any star whose ideas differed from Ms. He ran the corporation for 23 years, controlling costs down to the last saddle.