One Exciting Night | 1922 | Mystery Thriller

Title: One Exciting Night | 1922 | Mystery Thriller Director: D. W. Griffith Studio: D.W. Griffith Productions Starring: Carol Dempster, Henry Hull, Morgan Wallace, Margaret Dale, Porter Strong Based on: Original screenplay by D.W. Griffith (as Irene Sinclair) Release Date: October 2 1922 Runtime: Approximately 128 minutes Format: Silent black and white, English intertitles Country: United States Language: Silent Genres: Mystery Thriller Gothic --- Chapters: 00:00:00 Prologue and setup of inheritance conflict 00:15:00 Agnes’s return and gathering at Fairfax Estate 00:30:00 Hidden treasure and bootlegger plot 00:50:00 First mysterious murder 01:10:00 Investigation and suspicions grow 01:30:00 Climactic storm and revelation --- Summary: One Exciting Night is a 1922 American silent Gothic mystery thriller directed by D. W. Griffith. The story centers on Agnes Harrington, an orphan restored to her inheritance, and the guests at the Fairfax Estate who gather unaware that bootleggers have been using the mansion and that a hidden fortune is concealed on the premises. As a series of murders occur and suspicion mounts, the characters must confront both external danger and internal betrayal in their search for the truth. The film blends elements of suspense, mystery, and melodrama within a “haunted house” framework, culminating in a dramatic convergence of romantic tensions, criminal intrigue, and a ferocious storm that threatens all involved. --- Background: Produced and written by D. W. Griffith during the later phase of his career, One Exciting Night was Griffith’s effort to capitalize on the popularity of “old dark house” stage mysteries. The production features a sprawling mansion setting, ensemble cast, and atmospheric tension, with Griffith employing storm effects to heighten the dramatic climax. --- Trivia: One Exciting Night was directed and produced by D. W. Griffith under the pseudonym Irene Sinclair for his screenplay credit. The film’s length and pacing were criticized by contemporary exhibitors for being overly long for its genre. At its core the narrative draws on popular stage plays such as *The Bat* and *The Cat and the Canary* for its mystery structure. Surviving prints of One Exciting Night have been released on home video, including a 2014 DVD edition sourced from a 16 mm reduction print. --- Public Domain / Rights: Original Release: October 2 1922 Original Studio / Distributor: D.W. Griffith Productions / United Artists Copyright Status: Public Domain Renewal: Unknown --- Hashtags: #OneExcitingNight1922 #DWGriffith #SilentFilm #MysteryThriller #ClassicCinema #PublicDomain