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.

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.

[2] Wells partnered in a real estate brokerage firm in La Jolla, California.

John and Judith Wells continued to live in both California and Arizona until his wife died in 1948.

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.

Finishing out 1915, Wells landed roles as a supporting actor in three more films, including the December production of As The Shadows Fall.

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.

June 16, 1916, sees the release of the short film — The False Part starring Herbert Rawlinson and Agnes Vernon.

[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."

John K. Wells was working on a Universal serial The Lion Man featuring Kathleen O'Connor.

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.

The film featured Snowy Baker, directed by Wilfred Lucas and written by Bess Meredyth.

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.

[34] Beaumont Smith had purchased the rights to a poem — The Man from Snowy River by Australian bush poet Banjo Paterson.

[38] Newly formed Australian company, Commonwealth Pictures, and The Carroll Brothers provided funding of £5,600 (approximately $250,000 in today's money).

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.

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

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

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.

[49] John Wells was entombed in San Diego, California's Greenwood Memorial Park Mausoleum.