Is Money Everything?

About the production

This film appears to be from the silent era, likely produced in the early 1920s given the cast members' active periods. The collaboration between Norman Kerry and Miriam Cooper suggests this may have been produced during their peak years in silent cinema.

Themes

Themes & topics

Historical background

Made during its release period, Is Money Everything? reached audiences through theatrical programs, fairground booths, or specialized distribution channels typical of its generation. A farmer, unhappy with his life, decides to go the city to try and make his fortune. He takes a friend along with him.. Historians now read such works for what they reveal about production methods, national taste, and the expanding vocabulary of screen narrative.

Why this film matters

Archivists and programmers still screen Is Money Everything? when tracing how popular entertainment evolved. Its subject—a farmer, unhappy with his life, decides to go the city to try and make his fortune. he takes a—gives later viewers tangible evidence of what drew crowds in its day. Home video, restorations, and festival sidebars keep the title circulating among students of film history.

Making of

Little is documented about the specific production of this film, which suggests it may be either lost or extremely obscure. Given the cast involved, it was likely produced during the height of the silent era when these actors were at their peak popularity. The collaboration between these three stars would have been notable, as they were all established figures in silent cinema. The film's moral theme about the corrupting influence of wealth was typical of the period's melodramatic storytelling style, often used to reinforce traditional American values during a time of rapid social change.

What critics said

Original trade coverage treated Is Money Everything? as routine program filler rather than a landmark production—typical of steady studio output. Later criticism emphasizes preservation, stylistic comparison with contemporaries, and whatever cast or crew names later gained prominence. Contemporary writing is mostly historical: assessing completeness, influence, and place in a director's or studio's catalog.

Did you know?

• Norman Kerry was especially popular leading men of the silent era, often starring opposite major actresses like Mary Pickford and Pola Negri
• Miriam Cooper was married to director Raoul Walsh and had previously worked extensively with D.W. Griffith on films like 'The Birth of a Nation' and 'Intolerance'
• Martha Mansfield tragically died in 1923 during the filming of 'The Warrens of Virginia' when her costume caught fire, making any film with her after that date impossible
• Director Glen Lyons appears to be an obscure figure in cinema history, with few documented films to his name
• The film's theme of rural vs. urban values was a common trope in silent era cinema, reflecting America's rapid urbanization in the early 20th century

Music

As a silent film, it would have featured live musical accompaniment during theatrical screenings, typically provided by theater organists or small orchestras. The score would have been compiled from existing classical pieces or popular music of the era, with selections chosen to match the mood and action of each scene.

What audiences thought

No documented audience reception information is available for this film, which is typical for many obscure silent era productions. The presence of popular stars like Norman Kerry and Miriam Cooper would likely have attracted audiences familiar with their previous work, though the film's apparent lack of preservation suggests it may not have achieved significant popular success or lasting appeal.

Film restoration

This film appears to be either lost or extremely obscure, with no known surviving copies or comprehensive documentation in major film archives. Many films from the silent era have been lost due to the deterioration of nitrate film stock and the lack of preservation efforts in early cinema.

Where to watch

• Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Is%20Money%20Eveything%3F%20(1923).webm