Black Oxen | 1923 | Fantasy Romantic Drama

Title: Black Oxen | 1923 | Fantasy Romantic Drama Director: Frank Lloyd Studio: Frank Lloyd Productions / First National Pictures Starring: Corinne Griffith, Conway Tearle, Clara Bow, Tom Ricketts, Carmelita Geraghty, Alan Hale, Kate Lester, Harry Mestayer, Claire McDowell, Lincoln Stedman Based on: Novel *Black Oxen* by Gertrude Atherton Release Date: December 1923 (U.S.); widely exhibited in early 1924 Runtime: Approximately 80 minutes Format: Silent black and white Country: United States Language: Silent with English intertitles Genres: Fantasy Romantic Drama --- Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction and socialite return 00:15:00 Lee Clavering meets Madame Zatianny 00:30:00 Romantic complications 00:45:00 Flapper Janet’s interest 01:00:00 Revelation of true identity 01:15:00 Resolution --- Summary: Black Oxen is a 1923 American silent fantasy romantic drama about Madame Zatianny, a mysterious European woman whose youth and beauty appear otherworldly in Jazz Age New York. After undergoing a rejuvenating medical treatment, she returns to high society, attracting the attention of young playwright Lee Clavering. As Lee and other characters become entangled in romance and intrigue, the film blends themes of aging, identity, and the allure of eternal youth against the backdrop of 1920s society. The story juxtaposes the older woman’s experience with the vivacity of the flapper generation. --- Background: Directed by Frank Lloyd and based on the best-selling novel by Gertrude Atherton, Black Oxen was produced during the height of the Roaring Twenties and reflects contemporary fascination with youth, beauty, and scientific possibility. The film features early screen work by Clara Bow and showcases high society settings and melodramatic narrative typical of First National Pictures’ productions of the era. --- Trivia: The title comes from a line in a poem by W. B. Yeats. Black Oxen was described in contemporary accounts as a subtle early example of science fiction elements in film due to its theme of rejuvenation. The existing surviving prints are incomplete, with some reels missing from archival copies. Clara Bow appears in an early role as a flapper, contributing to the film’s depiction of 1920s youth culture. --- Public Domain / Rights: Original Release: December 1923 Original Studio / Distributor: Frank Lloyd Productions / First National Pictures Copyright Status: Public Domain Renewal: Unknown --- Hashtags: #BlackOxen #1923Film #SilentFilm #CorinneGriffith #ClaraBow #RomanticDrama #PublicDomain