Php variable within html input

Question

I wrote a large registration system in html/php/mysql many years ago. I had to upgrade a lot of code when php was upgraded. I have been having issues with passing php variables in html input. A registration form is mostly painted, then just stops when it hits the statements. I will extract the salient pieces here:

<form name=“regForm” method=“POST” action=“processReg.php”>

Acres of code, which all paints just fine

  <INPUT type=“hidden” name=“regState” value=“<?php echo $personFound; ?>” >
  <INPUT type=“hidden” name=“person_id” value=“<?php echo $person_id; ?>” >
  <INPUT type=“hidden” name=“rs” value=“<?php echo $res; ?>” >

  <INPUT type=“submit” value=“Submit”>
</form>

The submit button is not displayed. I am led to believe that I have some error with the hidden input. I put the code through a syntax checker, which reported no issues. Any clues?

If I remove the surrounding php portion, leaving the variables, the screen finishes painting. The submit button is there, yet blows up when the form action is executed. $res is a php array.