The Tiger's Coat | 1920 | Drama

Title: The Tiger's Coat | 1920 | Drama Director: Roy Clements. Studio: Dial Film Company. Starring: W. Lawson Butt, Tina Modotti, Myrtle Stedman, Myles McCarthy, Frank Weed, J. Jiquel Lanoe, Nola Luxford. Based on: The Tiger's Coat by Elizabeth Dejeans . Release Date: November 1920. Runtime: 50 minutes. Format: Silent; black-and-white; 5 reels; English intertitles. Country: United States. Language: Silent . Genres: Drama. --- Summary: Wealthy industrialist Alexander MacAllister ends his engagement to his ward, Jean Ogilvie, after discovering she is of Mexican rather than Scottish descent. Jean leaves town and later returns as a dancer, prompting Alexander to confront his prejudice and acknowledge his love for her. The film explores identity and social attitudes in the United States during the silent era, with themes centered on racism and guardianship woven into a romantic drama. --- Background: Produced by the Dial Film Company from Elizabeth Dejeans’s novel, The Tiger’s Coat began production in early to mid-June 1920 at Brunton Studios in Hollywood. The negative was shipped east in July, and by October 16, 1920, Dial’s president announced the picture was ready for release. Distributed by W. W. Hodkinson Corp. with Pathé Exchange involvement, it opened in November 1920, with a Los Angeles opening noted in December. A special motion-picture edition of the novel, illustrated with stills and planned at 500,000 copies, was announced by Bobbs-Merrill in early 1921. --- Trivia: AFI lists “Racism” among the film’s major subjects, reflecting its storyline about heritage, prejudice, and reconciliation. The film features Tina Modotti in one of her few screen roles before she gained renown as a photographer and political activist. Production commenced at Brunton Studios in Hollywood in early to mid-June 1920; the negative was shipped east in July, and release readiness was announced on October 16, 1920. Distribution was handled by W. W. Hodkinson Corp., with Pathé Exchange also associated as a distributor. The picture runs five reels, approximately 50 minutes in length. New Zealand–born actress Nola Luxford appears as Clare Bagsby; sources note this as her first film appearance. --- Hashtags: TheTigersCoat 1920 SilentFilm SilentCinema Drama TinaModotti RoyClements PublicDomain