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John K. Wells

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John K. Wells
John K. Wells 1919
Born
John Kenneth Wells

(1886-07-02)July 2, 1886
Evanston, Illinois, U.S.
DiedDecember 27, 1953(1953-12-27) (aged 67)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting placeGreenwood Memorial Park
Occupations
  • Actor
  • Director
  • Producer
  • Writer
Years active1915–1923
Known forQueen of the Turf
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1924; died 1948)​

John K. Wells (July 2, 1886 – December 27, 1953) was an American actor, director, producer, and writer of the Silent film era. Wells was a 29-year old actor who earned his first credited role in the 1915 Universal short film — The Queen of Hearts.[1]

Wells worked his way up the ranks at Universal, ultimately being promoted from Assistant Director to full-time Director in 1917. In 1919, Wells worked on the Universal movie serial — The Lion Man. After directing the first two chapters of the production, he quit his job. Wells booked passage and departed for Australia, hoping to participate in their burgeoning movie industry. In 1921, Wells hit his high water mark when he wrote, produced, and directed the Australian film — Silks and Saddles.

Wells and his wife, Agnes Vernon, returned to America in 1922.[2] Wells partnered in a real estate brokerage firm in La Jolla, California. He briefly emerged in the publishing world when he published his novel — Rafter Romance in 1932.[3] In 1933, RKO picked up the rights to Rafter Romance and made it the basis for two films produced in the 1930s — Rafter Romance and Living on Love.

John and Judith Wells continued to live in both California and Arizona until his wife died in 1948.[4][a] Wells would die five years later in 1953. He was 67 when he died.[6]

Early years

[edit]

John Wells's father, John Q. Wells, (c. 1849 – 1889) was born in New York. His mother, Josephine née Sherman (1855 – 1934) was born in Chicago. Josephine and John Q were married in Chicago on November 24, 1875.[7] The 1880 census shows John Q Wells and Josephine living in Riverside, Illinois along with their two daughters Gracie, born in 1876, and Alice, born in 1879. The census lists John's occupation as "Real Estate."[8] Coddington Wells was born in 1884 and John Kenneth Wells was born on July 2, 1886, in Evanston, Illinois.[9] John Wells was one when his sister, Alice, died in 1887.[10] Wells was 3 when his father died in 1889.[11]

The 1900 census shows 44-year-old Josephine Wells is the widowed head of Household. The family consists of Josephine, her 16-year-old son Coddington and 14 -year-old son John K. They have a live-in servant while continuing to reside in Riverside, Illinois.[12] Little is known of Wells's personal life after 1900 until he appears on a Universal lot.

Career

[edit]

Hollywood

[edit]

It is unknown if Wells appeared in movies as an extra or in any uncredited roles before September 1915. John K. Wells first surfaced in the media with a credited role in the " William Worthington" short film - The Queen of Hearts released on September 14, 1915. The Universal production starring Herbert Rawlinson and Anna Little.[1] This first movie role also initiates a relationship with William Worthington, which will bear fruit in the future. Finishing out 1915, Wells landed roles as a supporting actor in three more films, including the December production of As The Shadows Fall. This Worthington-directed project starred Herbert Rawlingson and Agnes Vernon. This film is the first time Wells appears in a movie with Agnes Vernon.

His last supporting role is in the 1916 production Darcy of the Northwest Mounted (Working title of "Bloodhounds of North,") released on May 16, 1916.[13] This last film was another Worthington-directed film starred Herbert Rawlingson and Agnes Vernon.

June 16, 1916, sees the release of the short film — The False Part starring Herbert Rawlinson and Agnes Vernon. Universal promotes Wells to an assistant director and writer. He continues his relationship with the William Worthington company. In July 1917, Wells was promoted from William Worthington's assistant to the full-fledged Director.[14]

An article in the "Motion Picture News" dated July 7, 1917, states, "Universal City has a new director in the person of Jack Wells, a former assistant of William Worthington. Mr Wells will make a number of additional releases to the series, "The Perils of the Secret Service . . ."[15]

The August 9, 1919 issue of The Moving Picture World contained an article headlined "Mrs. Baker Selects Staff." The article states Mrs. Baker "has selected a staff of five film experts" to take to Australia to make films. Her selections included Howard Gaye as an assistant director.[16] However, Gaye had several contractual obligations to Universal which he would have to abandon if he left. He postponed his decision until a few days before the group was to sail for Australia. He informed the American contingent he had decided to honor his universal contract. Who could replace Gayne on this short notice?

John K. Wells was working on a Universal serial The Lion Man featuring Kathleen O'Connor. He had two episodes finished and was working on the third. Wells somehow catches wind of Gayle's backing out of the Australian adventure and volunteers to replace him. John K. Wells became a last-minute replacement for Gaye, which explained Well's late application for a passport.[17][b] Wells was an upgrade over Gaye since he was an experienced director and assistant director. Besides his qualifications, the opportunity to be close to Agnus while gaining exposure to the Australian film market greatly influenced his decision.

Given these opportunities, Wells decided to forgo contractual obligations to Universal, quit his Director's job, and set sail for Australia on September 9, 1919.[c]

Australia

[edit]

John K. Wells set sail for Sydney, Australia, and arrived on September 29, 1919.[18] He would become involved in producing four films. The Australian adventure would be the directorial last hurrah for John Wells.[21]

The first American contingent of film experts included Director Wilfred Lucas, his wife screenwriter Bess Meredyth Lucas, actress Brownie Vernon and Cinematographer John Doerrer and had arrived in Sydney on September 2, 1919. These professionals were personally recruited by Snowy Baker and approved by E. J. Carroll. They went to work immediately, beginning with Research and Location scouting.[22]

  • The Man from Kangaroo (Jan 1920)
Opening title
Screen credit for Jack Wells

The fruits of the Lucas contingent resulted in a trio of films. The first film was The Man from Kangaroo, released in Australia on January 24, 1920. The film featured Snowy Baker, directed by Wilfred Lucas and written by Bess Meredyth. The film's leading lady was Agnes Vernon. They list John Wells as one of the Assistant Directors and a film editor. The 73-minute feature film was produced by E. J. Carroll and Snowy Baker.[23] The film was shot on location in Kangaroo Valley during September and October 1919.[24] The film was a success at the box office.[25] The movie was repackaged for the American market, renamed to The Better Man and premiered in New York on November 1, 1921.[26] This was the only movie of the trio of Lucas films to survive.[27]

  • The Shadow of Lightning Ridge (Apr 1920)

The second film of the American troupe was "The Shadow of Lightning Ridge," released in Australia on April 3, 1920. The feature was directed by Wilfred Lucas and written by Bess Meredyth. The film's featured leads were Snowy Baker and Agnes Vernon. John Wells is listed as the Assistant Director. The seven-reel feature film was produced by E. J. Carroll and Snowy Baker and their production company, Carroll-Baker Australian Productions.[28]

Filming started in early 1920 in the bush near Sydney,[29] and at a studio built by E.J. Carroll. The film was well received in Australia and successful at the box office.[30] The film was released in the U.S. under the same name on September 13, 1921, by William Selig and Aywon Film Corporation.[31] It is considered a lost film.

The Carrolls folded their production company after completing this film. They said "Lack of Australian stories suitable for dramatization and the fact that oversea producers were releasing films more than sufficient for market needs had also forced him and his associates to abandon the production of films." [32]

  • The Jackeroo of Coolabong (Oct 1920)

On October 16, 1920, Wilfred Lucas released his last Australian film. Brownie Vernon departed Australia on April 17, 1920, and John Wells was not involved in the project. During filming, E. J. Carroll clashed with Lucas over the cost of films. Wilfred Lucas and crew returned to Hollywood, arriving in San Francisco on April 5, 1920 [33] Wells remained in Australia to work on other projects.

  • The Man from Snowy River (Aug 1920)

Since the Lucas collaboration had ended abruptly, Wells was searching for a project. He found an opportunity with the Australian company of Beaumont Smith's Productions. They were about to start production on a new film to be produced, directed, and written by Beaumont Smith. Smith offered Wells a chance to be a co-director, and Wells accepted.[34]

Beaumont Smith had purchased the rights to a poem — The Man from Snowy River by Australian bush poet Banjo Paterson.[35] He then spent two years developing a Screenplay for a film based on the poem.[36] Shooting began in June 1920 in the Blue Mountains. [34] The final result was the release of The Man from Snowy River on August 28, 1920. The film would feature Australia's own Cyril Mackay and Stella Southern.[37] It is considered a lost film.

  • Silks and Saddles (1921)
Opening title
Screen credit for Jack Wells

Silks and Saddles was John K. Wells's big chance to reach for the brass ring. Wells wrote, directed, co-edited, and produced Silks and Saddles The movie featured Wells's wife Brownie Vernon and Robert MacKinnon. They set the film in the world of horse racing.[38]

Newly formed Australian company, Commonwealth Pictures, and The Carroll Brothers provided funding of £5,600 (approximately $250,000 in today's money).[39] The film was released on March 5, 1921, and garnered good reviews. The film would eventually gross £50,000 (over two million in today's U.S. money).[39] The Americanized version of the movie was renamed Queen o' Turf or Queen of the Turf and released in the United States on April 16, 1922. The film is one of the rare Australian silent movies to survive today. This film was the final production for Wells. He would never direct another film.[40]

An item in the Billboard dated November 21, 1921, reads:

"John K Wells, American picture producer and the husband of Brownie Vernon, recently framed up a singing act for vaudeville. He failed to make good and was closed after the first week."[41]

1922-1953

[edit]

John Wells and his wife booked passage on the S.S. Sonoma, arriving in San Francisco, California, on March 28, 1922.[42][d]

The Producers Security Corporation incorporated in 1919.[43] They started actively recruited talent for their new company including John K. Wells in 1922. A piece of news in the Exhibitors Trade Review dated May 6, 1922, stated:

"John K. Wells, well-known Australian producer, before departing for Australia April 22 signed a contract for Producers Security to handle world's distribution of his entire output of pictures. Mr. Wells contemplates producing at least five features a year."[44]

There no record of another trip to Australia in April 1922 or any Wells movies produced for Producers Security.

Wells decided to follow in his father's footsteps. In January 1925, the "California Directory of Brokers and Salesmen" posted John K. Wells establishing a corporation — Lathrop-Wells Inc. They become a Real Estate brokerage firm headquartered in La Jolla, California with the following officials:[45]

    • J.M. Lathrop  President
    • John K. Wells  Vice President
    • Judith A. Vernon  Secretary

The 1930 census shows John Wells is living in San Diego, working as a realtor.

Writer

[edit]
Living on Love Lobby Card
Rafter Romance Lobby Card

John Wells completed his novel Rafter Romance and the book was published by Brentano's in 1932.[46]

RKO Pictures purchased the rights to the book and decided to produce a film based on the book. Production began in mid-June 1933, and Rafter Romance was released on September 1, 1933. This first iteration of Rafter Romance was directed by William A. Seiter with a cast consisting of Ginger Rogers, Norman Foster, and George Sidney. Four years after the release of Rafter Romance, RKO producer Merian C. Cooper decided to reissue the film. The new movie was renamed Living on Love and featured a cast of James Dunn, Whitney Bourne, and Joan Woodbury. Shooting started in August 1937, and the second iteration, directed by Lew Landers, was released on November 12, 1937.

Marriage

[edit]

A news article in Billboard, dated November 19, 1921, stated he was married to Brownie Vernon.[41] The 1930 and 1940 Censuses bear this out. [a] also verifies marriage. John Wells was married to Judith Vernon Wells née Agnes Vernon for 27 years. There were no children.

Deaths

[edit]

John and Judith (Agnes Vernon) Wells were living in Phoenix, Arizona when she became ill. Due to her health condition, Judith relocated to her parents' residence in La Jolla, California. She died on Saturday, February 21, 1948, due to heart complications.[47] She was 52. Her obituary does not make any reference to an acting career.[48]

On Sunday, December 27, 1953, John K. Wells, died of a heart attack in Glendale, California. He was 67 years old. Wells had formerly been in charge of publications for the Church of Christ, Scientists in Arizona and currently worked as a sales representative for the Arizona radio station KTAR. There was no mention of any Hollywood connections in his obituary.[49] John Wells was entombed in San Diego, California's Greenwood Memorial Park Mausoleum. His mausoleum plaque reads: John K. Wells 1895 - 1953.[50]

Filmography

[edit]
          ◆   Filmography of John K. Wells   ◆          
Released Title Director Male Lead Female Lead Genre Length Distribution Notes
ACTOR
Sep 15 1915 The Queen of Hearts Worthington Rawlingson Little Drama Short Universal [1]
Nov 09 1916 On the Level Worthington Rawlingson Jean Taylor Drama Short Universal [51]
Dec 10 1915 The Power of Fascination Madison Holt Madison Drama Short Universal [52]
Dec 28 1915 As The Shadows Fall Worthington Rawlingson Vernon Drama Short Universal [53]
May 16, 1916 Darcy of the Northwest Mounted Worthington Rawlingson Vernon Drama Short Universal [54]
May 05 1932 Night World Hobart Henley Lew Ayres Mae Clarke Drama Feature Universal [55][56]
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Jun 20 1916 The False Part Worthington Rawlingson Vernon Drama Short Universal [57]
Jan 24 1920 The Man from Kangaroo Lucas Baker Vernon Western Feature CBAP [58][e]
Apr 03 1920 The Shadow of Lightning Ridge Lucas Baker Vernon Drama Feature CBAP [60][f]
DIRECTOR
Sep 14 1917 The Master Spy (eps 8) Wells Benedict Anderson Drama Short Universal [62][g]
Oct 19 1917 The Mysterious Iron Ring (eps 9) Wells Benedict Schade Drama Short Universal [64][g]
Aug 3 1918 The Human Target Wells Benedict Du Brey Western Short Universal [65]
Dec 29 1919 The Lion Man Russell & Wells Perrin O'Connor Drama Serial Universal [66][c]
Aug 20 1920 The Man from Snowy River Smith & Wells Ordel Southern Drama Feature Smith Prod .[37]
Mar 05 1921 Silks and Saddles Wells Cosgrove Vernon Drama Feature Commonwealth [67][h]
PRODUCER
Sep 14 1917 The Master Spy (eps 8) Wells Benedict Anderson Drama Short Universal [62]
Oct 19 1917 The Mysterious Iron Ring (eps 9) Wells Benedict Schade Drama Short Universal [64]
Dec 29 1919 The Lion Man Russell & Wells Perrin O'Connor Drama Serial Universal [66][c]
Mar 05 1921 Silks and Saddles Wells Cosgrove Vernon Drama Feature Commonwealth [67]
WRITER
Jun 10 1916 The False Part Worthington Rawlingson Vernon Drama Short Universal [57]
Mar 05 1921 Silks and Saddles Wells Cosgrove Vernon Drama Feature Commonwealth [67][h]
Sep 04 1933 Rafter Romance Seiter Foster Rodgers Musical Feature RKO [69]
Nov 12 1937 Living on Love Landers Dunn Bourne Drama Feature RKO [70]
[edit]
Australian newspaper ads for movies cited in this article

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Agnes Vernon went through several name changes during her life. She was born Agnes Vernon. In 1917, she changed her name to "Brownie" Vernon (based on her big brown eyes).[5] In the early 20s, her final name change to — Judith Vernon Wells.
    Her San Diego death certificate is available from the Office of Vital Records, San Diego.
    The document reads as follows:
    Name: Judith Vernon Wells aka Mrs. Agnes Wells
    Died: Saturday, February 21, 1948, 01:00 PM
    Born: Friday, December 27, 1895, La Grande, Oregon
    Husband: John K. Wells
    Death: Myocarditis
  2. ^ This a duplicate of an attachment enclosed as part of John K. Wells's passport application
    State of California
    County of Los Angeles
    "As requested in the application for a passport, I wish to state that my business in Australia is in the nature of making motion pictures; Mr. R. L. Baker of Sydney, he is preparing to start operating a company to produce motion pictures in Australia, and it is to become the Assistant Director under Director Wilford Lucas, of this organization that I wish to make this trip. Mr. R. L. Baker, who is in the United States, sailed with the rest of the company on August 12, and the assistant Director going with them failed in his contract only a day or two before sailing. Upon seeing the party at the station, I was made an oral proposition which I was to consider and, if accepted, follow on the next boat. I have considered same and have communicated with them by wireless . . "
    Sign John K Wells
    August 29, 1919[18]
  3. ^ a b c The news article was titled "Miss O'Connor Directorless" and dated Sept. 17, 1919, Los Angeles
    "Jack Wells quit Universal and has gone to Australia. "Wells was directing "The Strange Case of Cavendish" Kathleen O'Connor's serial vehicle and the blonde beauty's first starring opportunity. Work has been held up pending the choice of a director. However, there is a rumor that the three episodes already filmed may be made into two-reel stories and the first part of the story refilmed."[19] Later, Al Russel was selected as the replacement director.[20]
  4. ^ John and Judith Wells departed Sydney, Australia on March 8, 1922, aboard the SS Sonoma. They arrived in San Francisco, California, on March 28, 1922. They list her on the manifest as Judeth A. A. Vernon, age 26, single, and from San Diego, California. They list him as John K. Wells, age 34, married, and from Los Angeles, California.[42]
  5. ^ The Better Man was new title of the Americanized version of the Australian film — The Man from Kangaroo. Selig-Rork Production Company released the repackaged version to American audiences on November 26, 1921. This picture is registered in The National Film Preservation Board (NFPB) list of Lost U.S. Silent Feature Films.[59][26]
  6. ^ The repackaged version of The Shadow of Lightning Ridge was released to American audiences on Mar 5, 1921, by Selig-Rork Production Company. The film is considered lost.[61]
  7. ^ a b The article in the Moving Picture World dated July 14, 1917 reads, "Jack Wells, who formerly served as William Worthington's assistant at Universal, has been promoted on account of his ability to a directorship and is now directing a serial with Kinsley Benedict as his featured player.[63] "The Perils of the Secret Service" was a 9-part serial produced by Universal. The first part was "The Last Cigarette" released on March 9, 1917. The first seven episodes were directed by George Bronson Howard. The final two episodes - "The Master Spy" released on September 25, 1917, and "The Mysterious Iron Ring" released on October 30, 1917, were directed by Wells. The serial followed the exploits of super spy Yorke Norroy.
  8. ^ a b The Americanized version of Silks and Saddles, was renamed to "Queen o' Turf" or "Queen of the Turf" and the repackaged version was released to American audiences on April 16, 1922, by Robertson-Cole Pictures Corp[68]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "The Queen of Hearts". Motion Picture News. New York, Motion Picture News, Inc. September 18, 1915. p. 1441. Archived from the original on June 29, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  2. ^ "California, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists". NARA. 2008. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  3. ^ Library of Congress. Copyright Office (1933). Catalog of Copyright Entries Books. p. 191. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  4. ^ "State of California, Death Index for AgnesVernon". State of California Department of Health Services. 2000. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  5. ^ "Anes Vernon Drops Something". The Moving Picture World. New York : The World Photographic Publishing Company. April 21, 1917. p. 434. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  6. ^ "State of California, Death Index for John Kenneth Wells". State of California Department of Health Services. 2000. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  7. ^ "Marriage Index state of Illinois". Illinois State Public Record Offices. 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  8. ^ "1880 Tenth Census United States Federal Census". NARA. 2010. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  9. ^ "World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918". NARA. 2016. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  10. ^ "Alice Wells in the Cook County, Illinois, Deaths Index". NARA. 2005. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  11. ^ "Death of John Q Wells". Chicago Tribune. July 7, 1889. p. 15. Retrieved August 31, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "1900 Twelfth Census United States Federal Census". NARA. 2004. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  13. ^ "Scenes for "Bloodhounds of North," Universal, taken at altitude of 7,000 feet". Motion Picture News. New York, Motion Picture News, Inc. December 25, 1915. p. 1129. Archived from the original on June 29, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  14. ^ "Studio Flashes.)". The Moving Picture World. Chalmers Publishing Company. July 14, 1917. p. 243. Archived from the original on June 4, 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  15. ^ "In And Out Of West Coast Studios". Motion Picture News. New York, Motion Picture News, Inc. July 7, 1917. p. 112. Archived from the original on June 29, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  16. ^ "News of Los Angeles and Vicinity - Mrs. Baker Selects Staff". The Moving Picture World. New York, Chalmers Publishing Company. August 9, 1919. p. 807. Archived from the original on March 24, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  17. ^ "Mrs. Baker Selects Staff". The Moving Picture World. New York, Chalmers Publishing Company. August 9, 1919. p. 272. Retrieved May 4, 2022. News of Los Angeles and Vicinity by A. H. Giebler
  18. ^ a b "Passport application for John K. Wells". NARA. 2007. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  19. ^ "MISS O'CONNOR DIRECTORLESS - Los Angeles, Sept 17". Variety. Variety Inc. September 19, 1919. p. 56. Archived from the original on June 30, 2021. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  20. ^ "Lose One Director But Gains Another". Los Angeles Evening Express (Los Angeles, California). September 27, 1919. p. 24. Retrieved August 25, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ Pike & Cooper 1980.
  22. ^ "MOTION PICTURES. PLANS FOR AUSTRALIAN PRODUCTIONS". The Sydney Morning Herald. September 3, 1919. p. 11. Retrieved May 9, 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  23. ^ "The Man From Kangaroo". The Lone hand. W. McLeod. February 14, 1920. p. 26. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  24. ^ "THE MAN FROM KANGAROO". The Register (Adelaide). National Library of Australia. April 26, 1920. p. 9. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  25. ^ "AUSTRALIAN FILMS". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. November 22, 1927. p. 4. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  26. ^ a b The Better Man at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
  27. ^ Man From Kangaroo on YouTube
  28. ^ The Shadow of Lightning Ridge at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
  29. ^ Australian Geographical Society.; Australian National Publicity Association. (1934), Walkabout, Australian National Travel Association, retrieved August 22, 2022
  30. ^ "AUSTRALIAN FILMS". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. November 23, 1927. p. 18. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  31. ^ ""Palmerston Studio: Our pioneer silent film studio" Waverly Council" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 23, 2012. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  32. ^ "AUSTRALIAN FILMS". The West Australian. Vol. XLIII, no. 7, 939. Western Australia. November 23, 1927. p. 18. Retrieved March 14, 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  33. ^ "California, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists, 1882-1959". NARA. 2008. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  34. ^ a b "THE MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER". The World's News. No. 968. New South Wales, Australia. July 3, 1920. p. 5. Retrieved July 24, 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  35. ^ "BIG GAME HUNTING in London". Smith's Weekly. Vol. XXX, no. 7. New South Wales, Australia. April 17, 1948. p. 7. Retrieved April 14, 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  36. ^ The Man from Snowy River at National Library of Australia
  37. ^ a b The Man from Snowy River at National Film and Sound Archive
  38. ^ "Advertising". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. March 5, 1921. p. 2. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  39. ^ a b "PICTURE FILMS". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. February 11, 1925. p. 17. Retrieved August 4, 2012.
  40. ^ Pike & Cooper 1980, p. 103.
  41. ^ a b "AUSTRALIA – by Martin C. Brennan". The Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. November 19, 1921. p. 38. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  42. ^ a b "California Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists for John Wells". NARA. 2008. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  43. ^ Motion Picture News. Motion Picture News. 1919. p. 3992. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  44. ^ "Producers to Represent Wells". Exhibitor's Trade Review. New York, Exhibitor's trade review, inc. May 6, 1922. p. 1640. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  45. ^ California State Real Estate Division (1925). Directory of Brokers and Salesmen published March 15, 1925. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  46. ^ Wells 1932.
  47. ^ "California, Death Index". State of California. 2000. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  48. ^ "Mrs. Judith V Wells". San Diego Union. February 24, 1948. p. 6. Retrieved May 1, 2022 – via GenealogyBank.
  49. ^ "John K Wells Dies On Coast". Arizona Republic (Phoenix, Arizona). December 29, 1953. p. 32. Retrieved August 31, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  50. ^ "U.S., Find a Grave Index, 1600s-Current". Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2023. entombment Greenwood Memorial Park in San Diego, California
  51. ^ "Universal Film Mfg. Company Specials – On The Level - Universal Gold Seal". The Moving Picture World. New York, Chalmers Publishing Company. November 6, 1915. p. 93. Archived from the original on June 14, 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  52. ^ "The Power of Fascination". The Moving Picture World. New York, Chalmers Publishing Company. December 4, 1915. p. 159. Archived from the original on June 14, 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  53. ^ "Tabloid Reviews For The Busy Exhibitor – As The Shadows Fall". Motion Picture News. New York, Motion Picture News, Inc. January 1, 1916. p. 94. Archived from the original on June 29, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  54. ^ "Darcy of the Northwest Mounted". The Moving Picture World. New York, Chalmers Publishing Company. May 20, 1916. p. 506. Archived from the original on June 14, 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  55. ^ "Casts of Current Photoplays - Complete for every picture reviewed in this issue". Photoplay Magazine. Chicago, Photoplay Magazine Publishing Company. July 1917. p. 134. Archived from the original on June 14, 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  56. ^ Night World at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
  57. ^ a b "GOLD SEAL - The False Part (Two parts - June 20)". The Moving Picture World. Chalmers Publishing Company. June 24, 1916. p. 2294. Archived from the original on June 4, 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  58. ^ The Man from Kangaroo at the National Film and Sound Archive
  59. ^ "7,200 Lost U.S. Silent Feature Films (1912-29)" (PDF). loc.gov. National Film Preservation Board. February 4, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  60. ^ The Shadow of Lightning Ridge at National Film and Sound Archive
  61. ^ The Shadow of Lightning Ridge at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
  62. ^ a b "GOLD SEAL; The Master Spy (The 8th Episode of "The Perils of the Secret Service")". The Moving Picture World. New York, Chalmers Publishing Company. September 29, 1917. p. 912. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  63. ^ "Studio Flashes.)". The Moving Picture World. Chalmers Publishing Company. July 14, 1917. p. 292. Archived from the original on June 4, 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  64. ^ a b "GOLD SEAL; The Mysterious Iron Ring (The 9th Episode of "The Perils of the Secret Service")". The Moving Picture World. New York, Chalmers Publishing Company. November 3, 1917. p. 752. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  65. ^ Braff 1999, p. 239.
  66. ^ a b Braff 1999, p. 282.
  67. ^ a b c Queen of the Turf at AllMovie
  68. ^ "Queen o' the Turf - Racing Melodrama has tense race scene as Climax - Reviewed by Fritz Tidden". Moving Picture World. New York : The World Photographic Publishing Company. April 29, 1922. p. 969. Archived from the original on October 21, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  69. ^ Rafter Romance at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
  70. ^ Living on Love at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
          ◆   IMDb Listings Filmography   ◆          

"The content on IMDb is user-generated, and the site is considered unreliable by a majority of editors."
This table provides a quick reference and is not used as a source in this article

1915 As The Shadows Fall 1915 The Power of Fascination 1915 The Queen of Hearts
1916 Darcy of the Northwest Mounted 1916 On the Level 1916 The False Part
1917 The Master Spy (eps 8) 1917 The Mysterious Iron Ring (eps 9) 1918 The Human Target
1919 The Lion Man 1920 The Man from Kangaroo 1920 The Man from Snowy River
1920 The Shadow of Lightning Ridge 1921 Silks and Saddles 1932 Night World
1933 Rafter Romance 1937 Living on Love 1917 Perils of the Secret Service
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