All Films

The Broken Trestle

1920 • 15 min • United States of America

The Broken Trestle is a silent action Western.

Stavoren

1920 • 5 min • Netherlands

A boat in the Zuiderzee approaches the port of Staveren. This once-famous Hanseatic city is now known as the pleasure boater’s gateway to the Frisian lakes.

Sneek

1920 • 6 min • Netherlands

A small rural town in the Netherlands, with shots of its most important buildings, streets, squares, and waterways. A central focus of the film is Sneek's Waterpoort, the city's best-known and most prominent building.

The Preparation of Cheese

1920 • 19 min • Netherlands

Corporate film commissioned by the Friesche Coöperatieve Zuivel-Export Vereeniging. The film was likely made for potential consumers of their products, as well as for farms in the region that might want to join the cooperative.

Blaauwhoedenveem

1920 • 3 min • Netherlands

The Blaauwhoedenveem company is engaged in the storage, sorting, and treatment of goods. This corporate film shows e.g. the loading and unloading of ships. The footage was shot in Katendrecht, Netherlands.

Little Journeys in the National Forests of Colorado

1920 • 12 min

This short film by the U.S. Department of Agriculture takes viewers on a journey through the stunning and diverse national forests of Colorado.

The Cultivation of Tea in the Far East

1920 • 5 min • Indonesia, Netherlands

Short report about the production of tea in (possibly) Ceylon (Sri Lanka).

Shackleton South Georgia Birds

1920 • 13 min

Sir Ernest Shackleton is a poignant absence in this fragment from the closing chapter in the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. The Shackleton-Rowett Expedition and their ship the Quest docked at the old whaling station at Grytviken, South Georgia, on 4 January 1922; Shackleton died of a heart attack on board in the early hours of 5 January. These scenes of wildlife on the remote island – including skewers, fulmars, penguins and seals – were shot before the Quest departed on 18 January.

A Baby Doll Bandit

1920 • 25 min • United States of America

Weazel Tail Bend was so crooked it couldn't see straight, but one day the town was brightened considerably by the arrival of Miss Betsy Beautiful, whom the School Trustee sent to relieve the sheriff of one of his duties teaching school.

The Clarinet Player

1920 • 1 min • Denmark

FRAGMENT | A man looks around and sees a dog in a trashcan, after which his nose transforms into a clarinet that he plays for the dog. The film was made by the popular Danish cartoonist Robert Storm Petersen, popularly known as ‘Storm P’, who created some of Denmark’s very first cartoons, among many other things. His distinctive humorous tone and style shine through in these short, early cartoons. (Stumfilm.dk)

Commercial for 'Hjemmet' Magazine

1920 • 4 min • Denmark

This animated film is an advertisement for the Danish weekly magazine ‘Hjemmet’, which is still published today. ‘Hjemmet’, meaning ‘Home’, was originally called ‘Damernes Blad’ (‘The Ladies’ Magazine’) but changed its name in 1904, a few years after it was acquired by the publishing company Egmont. The advertisement was drawn by the much beloved Danish multi-talent Robert Storm Petersen, popularly known as Storm P., whose many accomplishments included being behind some of Denmark’s earliest animated films. This ad also includes a few seconds of live-action footage showing Storm P. himself smoking a pipe and reading an issue of ‘Hjemmet’. (Stumfilm. dk)

The Storks

1920 • 17 min • Sweden

Documentary film about Storks in Scania, the southernmost province of Sweden.

Christmas Thoughts

1920 • 10 min • United States of America

Christmas Thoughts is a short promotional film produced by the Ford Motor Company in 1920. Distributed to Ford dealers, it aimed to encourage charitable initiatives such as the Goodfellows Clubs, which provided food and gifts to families in need during the holiday season. The story follows a group of businessmen who decide to deliver a festive meal and presents to a struggling family. The film concludes with heartwarming scenes of children meeting Santa Claus and receiving gifts, emphasizing generosity and community spirit.

Jerry on the Job: The Bomb Idea

1920 • 4 min • United States of America

A man reads in the newspaper that Bolsheviks are on the loose and that the public should beware of odd acting strangers. He spots a pipe smoking man holding what he believes is a bomb, and thinks he must be one of the Bolsheviks. He tries to get away from the stranger, but the stranger seems to be following him, polishing his bomb and getting ready to light it. But that round bomb ends up having a more recreational use of a different type of explosion.

The Tale of A Wag

1920 • 4 min

When railroad boss Mr. Givney needs a pesky mosquito exterminated, Jerry is on the job. But Jerry's efforts bug Givney more than the bug.

A Simple Coiffure

1920 • 2 min • United Kingdom

"An "Emile" expert demonstrates a charmingly simple coiffure." British Pathé

Kino the Girl of Colour

1920 • 1 min • United Kingdom

A demonstration of the Friese-Greene biocolour process.

What Was the Carnival of 1920!

1920 • 10 min • Brazil

Aspects of the carnival in Rio de Janeiro: the corso on Avenida Rio Branco; Dance at Fantasia at Hotel de Santa Rita; o Children's Dance of Teatro República; parade of floats of carnival societies of the Phenians and the Democratic.

Dandy navigateur

1920 • 23 min

Nikkô Temples, Kyoto, Japan

1920 • 14 min

Street scenes shot by Burton Holmes in Kyoto and the shrines and temples of Nikkō, Japan.

Santa Claus is Coming

1920 • 1 min

Origin unknown. Circa 1920. Excerpt from a longer short or theatrical holiday trailer. Sold for home use in 16mm 25 foot length. Accompanied here with a Mighty ROXY Wurlitzer.

Nina la poliziotta

1920 • 13 min

"The fragment we have of Nina la poliziotta is from the mid-section of the film. Rotten luck, some might say. The female protagonist takes it on herself to investigate and unmask her boyfriend’s killer, convinced she knows who did it. But what if she’s wrong?" - Andrea Meneghelli

Saetta contro Golia

1920 • 40 min • Italy

Saetta take the side of a young couple threatened by a gang of criminals led by Goliath, a gigantic thug.

A Duck Tale

1920 • 9 min • Denmark

A tramp steals a duck, stuffs it under his shirt – so only its wings are sticking out – and lets himself be flown around, over the fields and forests. He lands at the home of an artist whose paintings come to life. (stumfilm.dk)