1921 Movies
Browse 304 titles in our 1921 Movies Database
- The Kid
- The Phantom Carriage
- The Golem
- Orphans of the Storm
- The Goat
- The Play House
- The Idle Class
- The Sheik
- The Haunted House
- The Boat
- The 'High Sign'
- The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
- Hard Luck
- Never Weaken
- The Haunted Castle
- Tol'able David
- Why Change Your Wife?
- The Affairs of Anatol
- The Wildcat
- A Sailor-Made Man
- The Three Musketeers
- Genuine: The Tragedy of a Vampire
- Camille
- Lichtspiel Opus 1.
- Now or Never
- The Lucky Dog
- Among Those Present
- I Do
- Deception
- Outside the Law
- The Blot
- The Frogs Who Wanted a King
- Four Around the Woman
- The Wandering Image
- Hamlet
- The Conquering Power
- Journey into the Night
- Eldorado
- Be My Wife
- Missing Husbands
- Cinderella
- Miss Lulu Bett
- The Love Light
- Mysteries of India, Part I: Truth
- Little Lord Fauntleroy
- Enchantment
- My Boy
- The Nut
- Shattered
- The Mechanical Man
- Johan
- Algol: Tragedy of Power
- The Secret of the Marquise
- Markens grøde
- Souls on the Road
- Through the Back Door
- Dream Street
- Too Wise Wives
- The Fall of Babylon
- Buried Treasure
- Forbidden Fruit
- The Sky Pilot
- Adventures of Tarzan
- Ducks and Drakes
- Dracula's Death
- Love Never Dies
- The Flying Koffer
- The Sea Lion
- The Arrival from the Darkness
- All Dolled Up
- Peck's Bad Boy
- Cud nad Wisla
- Scrooge
- Labyrinth of Horror
- Humor Risk
- Fool's Paradise
- The Whistle
- Desire
- Casey at the Bat
- The Devil
- A Small Town Idol
- En lyckoriddare
- Molly O'
- Vallfarten till Kevlaar
- The Revenge of Tarzan
- The Man Tamer
- Istoriya grazhdanskoy voyny
- The Queen of Sheba
- The Murder of General Gryaznov
- What Do Men Want?
- Three Word Brand
- Sure Fire
- Ladies Must Live
- The Island of the Lost
- White Oak
- Lotus Blossom
- The Little Minister
- Im Kampf mit dem Berge - 1. Teil: In Sturm und Eis - Eine Alpensymphonie in Bildern
- The Big Punch
- Burn 'Em Up Barnes
- Jesse James Under the Black Flag
- Rip Van Winkle
- Action
- Beau Revel
- Jesse James as the Outlaw
- Tangled Trails
- The Freeze-Out
- Desperate Trails
- A Tale of Two Worlds
- Hail the Woman
- Ett farligt frieri
- The Hope Diamond Mystery
- Tischlein deck dich, Eselein streck dich, Knüppel aus dem Sack
- Jackie
- Brewster's Millions
- The Lotus Eater
- A Perfect Crime
- Torgus
- Wedding in Poetic Karjala
- The Bonnie Brier Bush
- The Princess of New York
- Tansy
- The Blasphemer
- De zwarte tulp
- King, Queen and Joker
- Good and Evil
- Give Me My Son
- A Lowland Cinderella
- The Man Who Laughs
- Innocent
- Miss Rovel
- Running a Cinema
- Kapten Grogg skall fiska
- The Four Just Men
- A Scandal in Bohemia
- Sybil
- Die Hochbahnkatastrophe
- Landsvägsriddare
- Se parhaiten nauraa, joka viimeksi nauraa
- Die Flammenfahrt des Pacific-Express
- Banditen
- A Gentleman of France
- Die fliegenden Briganten. 2. Die Rache des Mongolen
- Die fliegenden Briganten. 1. Der Dieb seines Eigentums
- Tavlor från London
- Squibs
- The Skin Game
- Beauty and the Beast
- A Tale of Two Cities
- Kvarnen
- The Battle of Jutland
- First Love
- Mein Mann - Der Nachtredakteur
- Die goldene Pest
- Class and No Class
- Christie Johnstone
- The Narrow Valley
- The Lunatic at Large
- The Ranger and the Law
- The City of Silent Men
- Monika Vogelsang
- Das Skelett des Herrn Markutius
- Money
- Carnival
- The Road to London
- Tilly of Bloomsbury
- Elisabet
- Vi of Smith's Alley
- Silkesstrumpan
- Wild Heather
- Moth and Rust
- Her Sturdy Oak
- The Prince and the Beggarmaid
- Land of My Fathers
- Fru Mariannes friare
- Miss Charity
- The Mysterious Rider
- Die Apotheke des Teufels
- Mr. Justice Raffles
- The Courier from Lisbon
- Single Life
- General John Regan
- All Sorts and Conditions of Men
- Freie Bahn dem Tüchtigen
- Simple Simon
- Das Chamäleon
- Die Maske des Todes - 1. Der Mann mit dem Silberskelett
- The Magistrate
- Hard Cash
- Hold Your Horses
- The Call of the North
- Love at the Wheel
- Mr. Pim Passes by
- The Old Curiosity Shop
- The Broken Road
- A Dear Fool
- The Bargain
- The Scallywag
- Ships That Pass in the Night
- The Big Town Round-Up
- Die Czardasfürstin
- Guarded Lips
- Wild Africa
- The Puppet Man
- Die Lieblingsfrau des Maharadscha
- Die Banditen von Asnières
- Der Apachenlord
- Moriturus
- Steuermann Holk
- Das Rattenloch
- Won't You Buy My Pretty Flowers?
- Glastonbury Past and Present
- Baron Olson
- Everything for Sale
- Cirkus Bimbini
- The Tinted Venus
- Kun solttu-Juusosta tuli herra
- East Lynne
- The Noble Bachelor
- Me and My Girl
- Sunnuntaimetsästäjät
- David Garrick
- In Full Cry
- The Tragedy of a Comic Song
- The Right to Live
- Mary-Find-the-Gold
- Stella
- A Case of Identity
- The Priory School
- Monty Works the Wires
- Moths
- Froggy's Little Brother
- Polly
- Bluff
- The Red-Haired League
- The Colonel's Little Love Affair
- In His Grip
- The Corner Man
- The Fifth Form at St. Dominic's
- The Count of No-Account
- The God in the Garden
- Der Henker von Sankt Marien
- The Fashionable Fox
- Kinder der Strasse
- Warum bin ich der Verlobte meiner Tochter
- Eine Frau gesucht für Karlchen
- Apache Karlchen
- Karlchen und Professor Steinach
- Karlchens erster Brautbesuch
- Karlchens Hochzeitnacht
- Erlebnisse Stuart Webbs: Der Meisterdetektiv in seinen Abenteuern
- Der Mann mit dem schlechten Gewissen
- Der Herzog von Reichstadt
- Der Mann ohne Namen - 7. Gelbe Bestien
- Eileen Alannah
- Comrades
- Who Is the Boss?
- Silver Threads Among the Gold
- The Village Blacksmith
- Queen of the Earth
- Sally in Our Alley
- After the Ball
- The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond
- Home Sweet Home
- Sweet Genevieve
- The Children's Home
- Das Achtgroschenmädel. Jagd auf Schurken. 2. Teil
- Der Herr Impresario
- Photographie und Liebe
- Leo und seine Kammerjungfer
- Villa Mephisto
- Um eine Million Dollar
- Staatsanwalt Alexander oder Der Raubmord in der Ziegelgasse Nr. 17
- Männe, wo bleibste denn?
- Terpsichore. Die Macht des Tanzes
- Der Totenvogel
- Opfer der Liebe
- Schiffbrüchige der Liebe
- Eine Künstlerehe am Kurfürstendamm
- Unrecht Gut
- Erst der Vater, dann der Sohn
- Der entflohene Paletot
- Das Detektivduell
- Wallys Ziegenbock
- Die Strandnixe
- Die Rache der Spionin
- Nobody
- Die Frau mit den 10 Masken. 3. Begebenheit: Tote, die leben
- Das Medium des Cowboy
- Lolotte
- Der galante König - August der Starke
- The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond
- Das Geheimnis der vier Tage
- Tuberkulose Fürsorge
- Jolly, der Teufelskerl
- Die rote Fledermaus
- Ratten der Großstadt. 1. Die geheimnisvolle Nacht
- Der Spielmann
- Lola, die Apachenbraut. 1. Teil
- Quite Unfit for Females
- Society on the Moors Topical Budget 522-1
- Edward Prince of Wales' Tour of India: Calcutta and Delhi
- Australians' First Match
- Der Stolz der Familie
The Best Movies in 1921
The Kid
"The Kid" stands out as a comedy-drama-family film that captivates audiences with its heartfelt narrative. Directed and performed by Charles Chaplin, the movie introduces us to The Tramp, who finds an abandoned child and decides to care for him, creating a unique bond. Their story, filled with love and challenges, showcases the resilience and dedication they have for each other. Co-starring Edna Purviance and Jackie Coogan, "The Kid" is a testament to Chaplin's genius in blending humor with drama, making it a timeless piece.
The Phantom Carriage
Victor Sjöström directed and starred in "The Phantom Carriage," a film that merges drama, fantasy, and horror into a compelling narrative. The plot revolves around a haunting New Year's Eve legend stating the last person to die before midnight must take up the mantle of Death's chariot driver for a year. This story explores themes of redemption and the supernatural, engaging audiences with its innovative special effects and profound storytelling. The performances by Hilda Borgström and Tore Svennberg add depth to this enthralling movie.
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
Rex Ingram's "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" is a drama-romance-war film that provides a riveting look at the impacts of World War I on a family divided between France and Germany. The film features Rudolph Valentino in a breakout role that showcases his acting prowess and screen presence. Valentino, along with Alice Terry, Pomeroy Cannon, and Josef Swickard, brings to life the complexities of love, loyalty, and the ravages of war, making this a standout film of its time.
Destiny
Directed by Fritz Lang, "Destiny" is a film that dives into fantasy and the foreign language genre with remarkable skill. This German Expressionist film tells the emotionally charged story of a woman negotiating with Death to save her fiancé. It features stellar performances by Lil Dagover, Walter Janssen, and Bernhard Goetzke. "Destiny" is celebrated for its innovative visual style, storytelling techniques, and the way it confronts themes of fate and love, securing its place in cinema history.
Orphans of the Storm
D.W. Griffith's "Orphans of the Storm" is a drama-melodrama-period film that immerses viewers in the tumult of the French Revolution. Starring Lillian Gish and Dorothy Gish, it narrates the story of two orphaned sisters navigating through the dangers and societal upheavals of the era. The film is noted for its historical portrayal, emotional depth, and compelling narrative, offering a cinematic experience that is both enlightening and engaging.
Film & Industry Highlights of 1921
The Beginnings of the Film Industry's Boom
In 1921, the film industry was experiencing a growth phase, particularly in Los Angeles, which was already becoming the center of the U.S. film industry. This period was marked by a migration to Los Angeles, not just of those seeking fame on the silver screen, but also of workers and technicians looking to find a place in the burgeoning film business. The city's population increase was a direct reflection of the industry's capacity to attract talent and investment.
Role of Trade Journals
The Motion Picture News emerged as a critical platform during this era, offering extensive coverage of the industry's developments. Established in 1908, it served as a vital resource for independent exhibitors, providing them with objective film reviews and detailed summaries of theater programs nationwide. This level of coverage was instrumental in fostering a deeper connection between films and their audiences, ensuring that moviegoers had the information necessary to choose films that appealed to them.
Silent Films and Notable Personalities
The silent film era dominated the industry, with movies being the primary source of entertainment for countless Americans and Canadians. Actors and directors greatly contributed to the industry's growth, with versatile stage actor Louis Calhern and the renowned escape artist Harry Houdini venturing into film. Despite Houdini's established fame, his movie projects did not achieve the success he had hoped for, leading to his eventual departure from the film industry. During the same period, future Hollywood luminaries like Carole Lombard and Fredric March began their illustrious careers, signaling the entry of exceptional talent into the industry. The release of "Drakula Halála" marked a notable moment, as it was one of the earliest films to explore vampire themes, preceding the iconic "Nosferatu" by F.W. Murnau.
Addressing Censorship
Censorship was a powerful challenge, with the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry taking steps to enforce guidelines that regulated film content. The aim was to maintain a level of decency and propriety in films, reflecting broader societal values and norms of the time. These regulations were part of the industry's efforts to balance creative expression with the expectations of the audience and concerned citizens.
The Booming Silent Film Industry
Despite hurdles such as censorship, the film industry continued to thrive in 1921, with silent films being a major form of entertainment. Films like "Man, Woman, Marriage" received substantial promotion and advertising, illustrating the industry's move towards more sophisticated marketing strategies to attract wider audiences. The silent film era was a testament to the power of visual storytelling, captivating millions without the need for spoken dialogue, and laying the foundation for future cinematic innovations.