John English Biography
John English was born in Cumberland in 1903 and spent his life in Canada, where he received his education. After working on various films in varying technical capacities since the dawn of the talkie era, English got the chance to direct for the newly formed Republic Pictures in 1935. Starting in 1937, he directed Movie Serials in collaboration with William Witney, creating some of the best examples of the serial medium. Most of his films were westerns, starring the likes of Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. John English is best known for his numerous Republic serials, many of them co-directed with William Witney such as Dick Tracy Returns (1937), The Lone Ranger (1938), Zorro's Fighting Legion (1939), Drums of Fu Manchu (1939 ), Captain America (1940) and others.
After Republic stopped producing in 1959, English remained in the industry directing television episodes produced by organizations such as Four Star Productions and Revue. He also directed several Gene Autry films for Columbia Pictures. He also directed several episodes of television series such as Alan Hale, Jr.'s Biff Baker, My Friend Flicka (1956-1957), Lassie (1964-1965), The Gene Autry Show, The Adventures of Champion, Annie Oakley, and The Roy Rogers Show. English died in 1969
