The following is an overview of 1921 in film, including significant events, a list of films released and notable births and deaths.
Colleen Moore was an American film actress who began her career during the silent film era. Moore became one of the most fashionable stars of the era and helped popularize the bobbed haircut.
Frank O'Connor was an American character actor and director, whose career spanned five decades and included appearances in over 600 films and television shows. Early in his career he was also billed as Frank A. Connor and Frank L.A. O'Connor. During the silent film era, he directed or was the assistant director on numerous films; he also penned several screenplays in both the silent and sound film eras. He is sometimes erroneously identified with the Frank O'Connor who was married to author Ayn Rand.
Anna Quirentia Nilsson was a Swedish-American actress who achieved success in American silent movies.
Marion Fairfax was an American screenwriter, playwright, actress, and producer.
Marshall Ambrose "Mickey" Neilan was an American motion picture actor, screenwriter, film director, and producer.
Dorothy Mackaill was a British-American actress, most active during the silent-film era and into the pre-Code era of the early 1930s.
J. Barney Sherry was an American actor of the silent film era. He appeared in more than 210 films between 1905 and 1929. He was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania and died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from cardiovascular disease.
The Sky Pilot is a 1921 American silent drama film based on the novel of the same name by Ralph Connor. It is directed by King Vidor and features Colleen Moore. In February 2020, the film was shown in a newly restored version at the 70th Berlin International Film Festival, as part of a retrospective dedicated to King Vidor's career.
Bits of Life is a 1921 American film produced and directed by Marshall Neilan. The cast included Lon Chaney and Noah Beery, Sr. For her performance in this film, Anna May Wong received her first screen credit. It is notable as an early anthology film, comprising four short stories: “The Bad Samaritan” by Thomas McMorrow, “The Man Who Heard Everything” by Walter Trumbull, “Hop” by Hugh Wiley, and “The Intrigue” by Marshall Neilan. The four stories were unrelated, shot with different casts, by different directors, and at different times. The poster called the format "The Magazine Idea brought to the screen". The film's tagline was "The Social World! The Underworld! and San Francisco's Chinatown!".
Her Wild Oat (1927) is a silent comedy film made by First National Pictures, directed by Marshall Neilan, and starring Colleen Moore. The screenplay was written by Gerald C. Duffy, based on a story by Howard Irving Young.
Slippy McGee is a 1923 American silent drama film directed by Wesley Ruggles and based on the book Slippy McGee: Sometimes Known as the Butterfly Man by Marie Conway Oemler that was published in 1917. The film was an Oliver Morosco Production released by Associated First National and featured actress Colleen Moore as Mary Virginia. It is not known whether the film survives.
Dinty is a 1920 American silent comedy drama film written by Marshall Neilan and John McDermott specifically for Wesley Barry, a young actor known for his freckled complexion. Prominent among the supporting players were Colleen Moore, Marjorie Daw, Pat O'Malley, and Noah Beery.
Social Register is an American 1934 Pre-Code comedy-drama musical film starring Colleen Moore. The film re-united her with her old friend and one of the first directors to give her film career a start, Marshall Neilan. The film was based on the 1931 play of the same name by Anita Loos and John Emerson.
The Unpardonable Sin is a 1919 American silent drama/propaganda film set during World War I. The film was produced by Harry Garson, directed by Marshall Neilan, written by Kathryn Stuart, and stars Neilan's wife, Blanche Sweet, who portrays dual roles in the film. The Unpardonable Sin is based on the novel of the same name by Rupert Hughes. The Silent Era site reports that it is not known whether the film currently survives, suggesting that it is a lost film. However, prints and/or fragments did turn up in the Dawson Film Find in 1978, so some of it at least survives.
Minnie is a 1922 American silent comedy film starring Leatrice Joy and co-directed by Marshall Neilan and Frank Urson. Neilan also wrote and produced the film which was released by Associated First National Pictures. It is not known whether the film currently survives, which suggests that it is a lost film.
Summer Bachelors is a 1926 American silent romantic comedy film produced and directed by Allan Dwan. The film is based on the 1926 novel Summer Widowers, by Warner Fabian and stars Madge Bellamy, Matt Moore, Allan Forrest, and Hale Hamilton.
Island Wives is a lost 1922 American silent adventure drama film directed by Webster Campbell and starring Corinne Griffith. The Vitagraph Company of America produced and distributed. Some of the film was shot in Florida.
Come on Over is a 1922 American comedy silent black and white film directed by Alfred E. Green and based on the stage musical by Rupert Hughes. It stars Colleen Moore. Its release beat The Wall Flower to the theaters and it was well received.
No More Women is a 1924 American silent comedy film directed by Lloyd Ingraham and starring Matt Moore, Madge Bellamy, and Kathleen Clifford.
