The year 1920 in film involved some significant events. __TOC__
Top-grossing films (U.S.) The top five films released in 1920 by U.S. gross are as follows: +Highest-grossing films of 1920 Rank Title Distributor Domestic rentals 1Way Down EastUnited Artists $2,000,000 2Why Change Your Wife?Paramount $1,046,286 3Passion (Madame Dubarry) UFA/First National $1,000,000 4Something to Think About Paramount $915,848 5The Mark of Zorro United Artists $500,000
Events March 28 – "America's Sweetheart" Mary Pickford and "Everybody's Hero" Douglas Fairbanks marry, becoming the first supercouple of Hollywood. August – Jack Cohn, Joe Brandt and Harry Cohn form C. B. C. Film Sales Corporation which would later become Columbia Pictures. August 2 – Filming a nighttime spin before a large crowd at DeMille Field in Los Angeles for the movie The Skywayman, stunt pilot and film actor Ormer Locklear and his flying partner Milton "Skeets" Elliot are killed when their Curtiss JN-4 fails to come out of the spin and crashes into the sludge pool of an oil well, igniting a massive explosion and fire. August 15 – Robert J. Flaherty arrives in northern Canada to begin filming Nanook of the North (1922). November 27 – The Mark of Zorro, starring Douglas Fairbanks, opens.
Notable films released in 1920
Austria For a complete list see: List of Austrian films of the 1920s Anita (aka Trance), directed by Luise Kolm and Jakob Fleck; an obscure adaptation of George Du Maurier's novel Trilby Boccaccio, directed by Michael Curtiz. The Prince and the Pauper directed by Alexander Korda. The Scourge of God directed by Michael Curtiz. The Star of Damascus directed by Michael Curtiz.
France For a complete list see: List of French films of 1920 Barrabas, a 12-chapter serial/ crime drama directed by Louis Feuillade The Man Who Sold His Soul to the Devil, directed by Pierre Caron Les Morts qui parlent/ The Dead Who Speak, directed by Pierre MarodonWorkman, Christopher; Howarth, Troy (2016). "Tome of Terror: Horror Films of the Silent Era". Midnight Marquee Press. p. 226. ISBN 978-1936168-68-2. Narayana (translates as Vishnu), directed by Leon Poirier, starring Laurence Myrga and Edmon Van Daele; based on the 1831 novel "Le Peau de Chagrin" by Honore de Balzac, with some story elements lifted from Wilkie Collins' novel The MoonstoneWorkman, Christopher; Howarth, Troy (2016). "Tome of Terror: Horror Films of the Silent Era". Midnight Marquee Press. p. 227. ISBN 978-1936168-68-2. The Silence, ghost film directed by Louis Delluc, starring Gabriel Signoret and Eve Francis (Delluc's wife)
Germany For a complete list see: List of German films of 1920 Algol: Tragedy of Power, science fiction film directed by Hans Werckmeister, starring Emil Jannings Anna Boleyn directed by Ernst Lubitsch The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari directed by Robert Wiene; starring Werner Krauss, Conrad Veidt and Lil Dagover Cagliostro, directed by Reinhold Schuenzel, starred Schuenzel and Conrad Veidt (a lost film)Workman, Christopher; Howarth, Troy (2016). "Tome of Terror: Horror Films of the Silent Era". Midnight Marquee Press. p. 213. ISBN 978-1936168-68-2. The Devil Worshippers/ Die Teufelsanbeter, A 6-part serial directed by Marie Louise Droop, starring Carl de Vogt and Bela Lugosi, based on the novel by Carl May Evening – Night – Morning (Abend – Nacht – Morgen) directed by F. W. Murnau Genuine: A Tale of a Vampire, directed by Robert Wiene, starring Fern Andra; only a 43-minute condensation of the much longer original film existsWorkman, Christopher; Howarth, Troy (2016). "Tome of Terror: Horror Films of the Silent Era". Midnight Marquee Press. p. 219. ISBN 978-1936168-68-2. The Golem: How He Came into the World (Der Golem, Wie Er in die Welt Kam), directed by and starring Paul Wegener based on the old Jewish folktale, photographed by Karl Freund The Head of Janus (Der Januskopf), directed by F. W. Murnau, starring Conrad Veidt and Bela Lugosi, photographed by Karl Freund; based (without authorization) on the Robert Louis Stevenson novel Dr. Jekyll and Mr. HydeWorkman, Christopher; Howarth, Troy (2016). "Tome of Terror: Horror Films of the Silent Era". Midnight Marquee Press. p. 224. ISBN 978-1936168-68-2. Hound of the Baskervilles, directed by Willy Zehn, released in two parts (Dr. MacDonald's Sanitorium and The House Without Windows); Willy Keyser-Heyl played Sherlock Holmes The House Without Windows, directed by Friedrich Feher, not to be confused with the above Hound of the BaskervillesWorkman, Christopher; Howarth, Troy (2016). "Tome of Terror: Horror Films of the Silent Era". Midnight Marquee Press. p. 223. ISBN 978-1936168-68-2. The Hunchback and the Dancer (Der Bucklige und die Tänzerin), directed by F. W. Murnau, photographed by Karl Freund Kohlhiesels Töchter (Kohlhiesel's Daughter) directed by Ernst Lubitsch Kurfurstendamm, a horror-comedy written and directed by Richard Oswald, starring Conrad Veidt as The Devil, photographed by Carl HoffmannWorkman, Christopher; Howarth, Troy (2016). "Tome of Terror: Horror Films of the Silent Era". Midnight Marquee Press. p. 225. ISBN 978-1936168-68-2. The Last of the Mohicans (Der Letzte der Mohikaner), starring Bela Lugosi Nachtgestalten (aka Eleagable Kuperus), directed by Richard Oswald, starring Conrad Veidt and Paul Wegener, photographed by Carl Hoffmann, based on the Karl Hans Strobl short story Eleagable Kuperus Satan (Satanas) directed by F. W. Murnau, starred Conrad Veidt, filmed in 1919Kinnard, Roy (1995). "Horror in Silent Films". McFarland and Company Inc. . Page 106. Sumurun (One Arabian Night) directed by Ernst Lubitsch, starring Paul Wegener and Pola NegriKinnard, Roy (1995). "Horror in Silent Films". McFarland and Company Inc. . Page 123. Die Todeskarawane, starring Dora Gerson and Bela Lugosi Torgus, the Coffin Maker, directed by Hans Kobe
Hungary Lord Arthur Saville's Crime (aka The Mark of the Phantom), written and directed by Paul Fejos, starring Margit Lux, based on the 1891 story by Oscar Wilde
Ireland Willy Reilly and His Colleen Bawn, directed by John MacDonagh, featuring Brian Magowan and Frances Alexander, based on the 1855 novel Willy Reilly and his dear Colleen Bawn by William Carleton
Italy The Last of the Borgias, directed by Armando Carbone Monella Street, directed by Umberto Fracchia and starring Carmen Boni The Power of the Borgias, directed by Luigi Caramba for Medusa Film, starring Irene Saffo-Nomo and Enrico Piacentini Spiritism (aka Spiritismo), starring Francesca Bettina
Japan Akakabe Myojin/ The Red Wall God, a ghost-cat film directed by Jiro Yoshino for Kokkatsu Films, starring Shirogoro Sawamura Arima no neko/ The Cat in Arima, a ghost-cat film directed by Shozo Makino for Nikkatsu Films, starring Matsumosuke Onoe and Sentaro Nakamura
Philippines For a complete list see: List of Philippine films before 1940 La Mariposa Negra directed by Jose Nepomuceno
Sweden For a complete list see: List of Swedish films before 1930 Erotikon directed by Mauritz Stiller Herr och fru Stockholm (How Not to Dress), starring Greta Garbo Karin Daughter of Ingmar (Karin Ingmarsdotter) directed by & starring Victor Sjöström The Monastery of Sendomir (Klostret i Sendomir) directed by Victor Sjöström The Parson's Widow (Prästänkan) directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer
United Kingdom For a complete list see: List of British films of 1920 At the Villa Rose, directed by Maurice Elvey, based on the 1910 novel by A.E.W. MasonWorkman, Christopher; Howarth, Troy (2016). "Tome of Terror: Horror Films of the Silent Era". Midnight Marquee Press. p. 212. ISBN 978-1936168-68-2. The Barton Mystery, directed by Harry (Henry) Roberts, starred Lyn Harding; based on the 1917 stage play by Walter Hackett Bleak House directed by Maurice Elvey Build Thy House directed by Fred Goodwins, starring Henry Ainley Colonel Newcome directed by Fred Goodwins' starring Milton Rosmer, Joyce Carey Desire (aka The Magic Skin) directed by George Edwardes-Hall, starring Dennis Neilson-Terry, based on the 1831 novel Le Peau de Chagrin by Honore de BalzacWorkman, Christopher; Howarth, Troy (2016). "Tome of Terror: Horror Films of the Silent Era". Midnight Marquee Press. p. 214. ISBN 978-1936168-68-2. Ernest Maltravers directed by Jack Denton; starring Lillian Hall-Davis The Ever Open Door directed by Fred Goodwins; starring Hayford Hobbs The Face at the Window, directed by Wilfred Noy, starring C. Aubrey Smith and Gladys Jennings, based on the stage play by F. Brooke WarrenWorkman, Christopher; Howarth, Troy (2016). "Tome of Terror: Horror Films of the Silent Era". Midnight Marquee Press. p. 218. ISBN 978-1936168-68-2. The Fordington Twins directed by W.P. Kellino General Post directed by Thomas Bentley; starring Douglas Munro, Lilian Braithwaite The Great London Mystery, a 12-chapter serial directed by Charles Raymond for T&P Films, starring David Devant and Lady Doris Stapleton; features a Yellow Peril menace called Ching Ling Fu. The Lure of Crooning Water directed by Arthur Rooke; starring Guy Newall and Ivy Duke Mr. Gilfil's Love Story directed by A.V. Bramble; starring Mary Odette The Price of Silence (aka At the Mercy of Tiberius), directed by Fred Leroy Granville, starring Peggy Hyland and Campbell GullanWorkman, Christopher; Howarth, Troy (2016). "Tome of Terror: Horror Films of the Silent Era". Midnight Marquee Press. p. 230. ISBN 978-1936168-68-2. A Son of David directed by Hay Plumb; starring Ronald Colman Trent's Last Case directed by Richard Garrick; starring Gregory Scott, Pauline Peters and Clive Brook The Twelve Pound Look directed by Jack Denton; starring Milton Rosmer The Yellow Claw, directed by Rene Plaisetty, starring Arthur Cullin and Cyril Percival; based on the 1915 novel by Sax Rohmer featuring a criminal Asian menace named Mr. King.Workman, Christopher; Howarth, Troy (2016). "Tome of Terror: Horror Films of the Silent Era". Midnight Marquee Press. p. 231. ISBN 978-1936168-68-2.
United States For a complete list see: List of American films of 1920
A Along the Moonbeam Trail, contained animated dinosaur sequences by Willis O'BrienKinnard, Roy (1995). "Horror in Silent Films". McFarland and Company Inc. . Page 108. April Folly, directed by Robert Z. Leonard, starring Marion Davies and Conway Tearle
B Black Shadows, directed by Howard M. Mitchell
C The Copperhead, directed by Charles Maigne, starring Lionel Barrymore
D The Dark Mirror, directed by Charles Giblyn, starring Dorothy Dalton, based on the story by Louis Joseph VanceKinnard, Roy (1995). "Horror in Silent Films". McFarland and Company Inc. . Page 109. The Devil's Pass Key (lost), directed by Erich von Stroheim, starring Mae Busch The Devil to Pay, directed by Ernest C. Warde, based on a 1917 novel by Frances Nimmo Greene Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, directed by John S. Robertson, starring John Barrymore Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, directed by J. Charles Haydon, starring Sheldon LewisWorkman, Christopher; Howarth, Troy (2016). "Tome of Terror: Horror Films of the Silent Era". Midnight Marquee Press. p. 217. ISBN 978-1936168-68-2.Kinnard, Roy (1995). "Horror in Silent Films". McFarland and Company Inc. . Page 113. The Dream Cheater, directed by Ernest C. Warde, starring J. Warren Kerrigan, based on the 1831 novel La Peau de chagrin by Honoré de Balzac
F The Flapper, directed by Alan Crosland, starring Olive Thomas
G The Girl in Number 29 (lost), directed by John Ford, starring Frank Mayo Go and Get It, directed by Marshall Neilan and Henry Roberts SymondsKinnard, Roy (1995). "Horror in Silent Films". McFarland and Company Inc. . Page 114.
H Haunted Spooks, directed by Alfred J. Goulding and Hal Roach, starring Harold Lloyd His Brother's Keeper (lost), directed by Wilfred NorthKinnard, Roy (1995). "Horror in Silent Films". McFarland and Company Inc. . Page 118. The House of the Tolling Bell, directed by J. Stuart Blackton, starring May McAvoy and Bruce Gordon, based on the novel by Edith Sessions Tupper