John E. Burch (August 17, 1896 – July 28, 1969) was an American film assistant director and production manager during the latter part of the silent era through the 1950s.
Upon the United States' entry into World War One, Burch enlisted in the Navy, where he served aboard a submarine.
At some point after the war, he moved from Chicago to Los Angeles, in an attempt to break into the film industry.
[1] Burch's first foray into the cinematic world was as an actor in 1925's White Fang, adapted by Jane Murfin from the novel of the same name by Jack London.
[3] Some of the more notable films he worked on include: Li'l Abner (1940), where he was an assistant director for Albert S. Rogell;[7] 1942's A Guy Named Joe, starring Spencer Tracy and Irene Dunne, on which he would be one of Victor Fleming's assistant directors;[8] and Brewster's Millions (1945), starring Dennis O'Keefe, and directed by Allen Dwan, assisted by Burch.