The Jack-Knife Man | 1920 | Drama

Title: The Jack-Knife Man | 1920 | Drama Director: King Vidor Studio: King W. Vidor Productions Starring: F. A. Turner, Lillian Leighton, Harry Todd, Bobby Kelso, Claire McDowell, Florence Vidor Based on: The Jack-Knife Man by Ellis Parker Butler Release Date: August 1, 1920 Runtime: 60 minutes Format: Silent, black-and-white, 35mm, 1.33:1 Country: United States Language: Silent Genres: Drama --- Summary: Peter Lane, an elderly riverboat dweller known for whittling toys with his jack-knife, takes in a young boy after the child’s mother dies during a storm. As Peter, the widow Potter, and a drifter named Booge form an unconventional household, well-meaning authorities intervene, threatening to separate the new family. Peter’s craftsmanship brings unexpected recognition and stability, allowing compassion and perseverance to prevail. The film emphasizes themes of charity, self-help, and redemption consistent with director King Vidor’s stated ideals. --- Background: The Jack-Knife Man was Vidor’s debut release with First National and the first feature filmed at his newly built “Vidor Village” studio, a venture financed in part by an advance from the exhibitor-owned distributor. Exterior scenes were shot in Stockton and Murphy’s, California, and in Muscatine, Iowa, echoing the novel’s Mississippi River milieu. The project aligned with Vidor’s contemporaneous “Creed and Pledge,” a manifesto outlining his ethical aims for filmmaking. --- Trivia: Florence Vidor, the director’s wife, appears in a supporting role as Mrs. Marcia Montgomery. It was the first picture shot at Vidor Village, the 15-acre studio Vidor established for his independent productions with First National. Prints of the film survive in archives, and the title is in the public domain in the United States. Silent Era sources note a six-reel length and standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 presentation. Some references list August 1, 1920 as the U.S. release date, while others report August 16, 1920, reflecting differing trade accounts and playdates. --- Hashtags: TheJackKnifeMan KingVidor SilentFilm PublicDomain 1920sCinema AmericanCinema Drama