ABOUT W. RAY JOHNSTON
American film producer who worked from 1924-1935. He founded the film production company Big Productions Corp. in 1924, and later Rayart Pictures and Monogram Pictures. His productions typically focused on low-budget projects shot around Los Angeles.
Before becoming an independent film producer, he worked on silent films at Thanhouser Company and Syndicate Pictures.
His first credited production came in 1924's Midnight Secrets. His companies helped lay ground for the usage of sound in film at the onset of the Great Depression. Despite the downturn in economic conditions during that time, Monogram Pictures flourished.
He was born in Bristow, Iowa.
His companies were hired to produce lots of Westerns, and namely some starring John Wayne .
