Have you ever heard of John Paterson McGowan?

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The photo is of a kookaburra that came to visit. Nothing to do with the discussion apart from being typically Australian. I’m reading a book which is a collection of Australian tales and stories and came across information about John (Jack) Paterson McGowan, who was born in Terowie, South Australia, in 1880. His father worked in the railways. McGowan served in the Second Boer War and was a competent horseman and sharpshooter. In 1904, he participated in a Boer War reenactment at the St. Louis World's Fair in the USA. By 1910, his horsemanship and military background made him ideal for action roles and stunts. He moved into directing (240+ films) and acting (230+ films), notably 119 episodes of the adventure serial The Hazards of Helen, collaborating with actress Helen Holmes, whom he later married. They have a place in history as the couple in the iconic scene where the villain ties the damsel to the railroad tracks. He specialised in Western and action serials, often with a railway focus. He also directed a 25-year-old John Wayne in The Hurricane Express in 1932. From 1938 to 1951, McGowan served as Executive Secretary of the Screen Directors Guild, advocating for directors' recognition within the studio system. McGowan passed away in Hollywood in 1952, leaving a legacy as a trailblazer in the film industry. All this – and I’d never heard of him.