john paterson mcgowan

Have you ever heard of John Paterson McGowan?

@JudyEv (382483)

Rockingham, Australia

May 10, 2025 11:36pm CST

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.

17 people like this

16 responses

@LadyDuck (502798)

• Italy

11 May 25

I know that he was an American Actor and Director, his name came out every time I received the list of famous people born on my same day.

He was also born on February 24.

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@LadyDuck (502798)

• Italy

11 May 25

@JudyEv - You must be really proud of him in your country. The two names who always come up with my birthday were John Paterson McGowan and Steve Jobs.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (382483)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 May 25

@LadyDuck I doubt anyone here has heard of him either but in his day he must have been well-known.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (382483)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 May 25

How about that? At least one myLotter has heard of him then.

My research says he is the only Australian granted Honorary Life Membership of the Screen Directors' Guild but it has a different name now.

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@Deepizzaguy (122305)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

12 May 25

It is the first time I have ever heard of John Patterson McGowan.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (382483)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 May 25

Very few have heard of him here so you're in good company.

2 people like this

@Deepizzaguy (122305)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

12 May 25

1 person likes this

@snowy22315 (209145)

• United States

12 May 25

I never heard of him

2 people like this

@JudyEv (382483)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 May 25

He must have been pretty well-known in his time but some names don't ring bells for long.

2 people like this

@cherigucchi (15932)

• Philippines

11 May 25

I am not familiar with him but its good to hear things about him.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (382483)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 May 25

He is long gone now of course but must have been quite famous in Hollywood at the time.

2 people like this

@cherigucchi (15932)

• Philippines

11 May 25

@JudyEv Oh I see

1 person likes this

@RasmaSandra (98106)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

11 May 25

I have not either thanks for this interesting intro to him,

2 people like this

@JudyEv (382483)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 May 25

He must have been pretty important in his time as he tackled everything to do with films.

2 people like this

@LindaOHio (222806)

• United States

11 May 25

Interesting. The kookaburra looks so cute.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382483)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 May 25

He doesn't look full-grown to me. He comes quite regularly. We were told to look out for him.

1 person likes this

@LindaOHio (222806)

• United States

12 May 25

@JudyEv He's adorable.

1 person likes this

@GardenGerty (169568)

• United States

11 May 25

I do not think I had ever heard of him. It is fun to learn new things.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382483)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 May 25

I was surprised to learn this but I do remember the silent black-and-white footage of the girl tied to the railway line.

@wolfgirl569 (135966)

• Marion, Ohio

11 May 25

I never had but surprised you had not

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382483)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 May 25

I was nearly knocked over by how many different parts he had played in the industry.

1 person likes this

@xFiacre (14801)

• Ireland

11 May 25

@judyev First I’ve heard the name.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382483)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 May 25

To be fair, I guess it was a long time ago.

@Fleura (35113)

• United Kingdom

12 May 25

I had never heard of him but he certainly achieved a lot!

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382483)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 May 25

He seems a complete unknown now although he shares/d a birthday with Anna (@LadyDuck).

2 people like this

@TheHorse (238355)

• Walnut Creek, California

11 May 25

Never heard of him.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382483)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 May 25

Strange in a way, isn't it? He must have been big in his day.

@JESSY3236 (22244)

• United States

13 May 25

Never heard of him. But that's cool that he was born on February 24 (which is also my birthday). It's even weirder that he was in 1880 and I was born in 1980. lol

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382483)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 May 25

So you're exactly 100 years apart. That is a coincidence!

1 person likes this

@Ronrybs (21492)

• London, England

12 May 25

A pioneer in the film industry and I'd not of him either!

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382483)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 May 25

Eventually none of the big names will be remembered, and of course the little names will be forgotten far sooner.

@Beestring (15372)

• Hong Kong

11 May 25

I've never heard of him. He had an interesting life. Love the kookaburra in the photo.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382483)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 May 25

He was the first Australian to be a 'movie star'. Errol Flynn is better known of course.

1 person likes this

@ptrikha_2 (49775)

• India

11 May 25

Quite an interesting detail of a person who seems to have gained certain popularity. I believe that The Hurricane Express would have got a keen interest at that time although I am not sure whether this movie would be available online for watching. We know Kookaburra as the standard cricket balls used in Australia. Never before seen such a close picture of the bird though. Have a nice Sunday!

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382483)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 May 25

Thanks for the good wishes. This bird comes regularly. I'm not sure what he hopes to find here but perhaps he finds some worms in the garden.

1 person likes this

@jstory07 (148771)

• Roseburg, Oregon

11 May 25

He directed 240 films that is a lot of films.

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@JudyEv (382483)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 May 25

It is a lot - and starred in nearly as many. He did a lot of his own stunt work too.