The Man Who Had Everything

Plot

Harry Bullway, a wealthy and careless young man obsessed with pleasure and excitement, recklessly drives his car through the city streets. When he nearly runs over a blind beggar, he shows no remorse for his dangerous behavior. In response to Harry's heartlessness, the beggar places a curse upon him, declaring 'May you always have everything that you want.' The curse proves to be more of a blessing than a punishment initially, as Harry finds his every wish granted - from winning fortunes at gambling to attracting any woman he desires. However, as the curse continues to fulfill his every desire, Harry discovers that having everything you want leads to a life without meaning, challenge, or genuine human connection. The film follows Harry's journey from hedonistic bliss to spiritual emptiness as he realizes that true happiness comes not from getting everything you want, but from earning what you need and finding purpose in helping others.

Historical Background

The year 1920 marked the beginning of the Roaring Twenties, a period of unprecedented economic prosperity and social change in America. The film emerged just after World War I, when society was questioning traditional values and grappling with the moral implications of rapid modernization. Hollywood was transitioning from the chaotic early days of filmmaking to a more structured studio system, with major players like Famous Players-Lasky (which would become Paramount Pictures) dominating the industry. The film's theme of materialism versus spiritual fulfillment resonated with audiences who were witnessing both the benefits and drawbacks of America's newfound wealth. The prohibition era had just begun, creating an underground culture of excess that made films about the dangers of overindulgence particularly relevant. This was also a time when silent films were reaching new heights of artistic sophistication, with longer running times, more complex narratives, and increasingly sophisticated visual storytelling techniques.

Making Of

The production of 'The Man Who Had Everything' took place during a pivotal time in Hollywood history when the studio system was solidifying and stars were becoming major commodities. Jack Pickford, despite his famous sister's influence, struggled to find roles that would establish his own identity in the industry. Director Alfred E. Green, still early in his career, was known for his efficient work ethic and ability to complete films on schedule and within budget. The film's moralistic message reflected the cultural climate of post-World War I America, where society was grappling with rapid changes and a return to traditional values. The production likely faced the typical challenges of silent filmmaking, including the need for exaggerated gestures and facial expressions to convey emotion without dialogue, and the technical limitations of early cinematography equipment.

Visual Style

As a 1920 silent film, 'The Man Who Had Everything' would have utilized the cinematographic techniques common to the era. The visual style would have featured static camera positions with occasional movements using dollies or cranes for dramatic effect. Lighting would have been primarily artificial, using the incandescent lighting systems that had replaced earlier arc lights, allowing for more controlled and nuanced illumination of actors' faces. The film likely employed the soft focus techniques popular in the 1920s to create romantic and dreamlike sequences, particularly in scenes depicting Harry's fulfilled wishes. The cinematographer would have used special effects techniques of the period, such as multiple exposures or in-camera tricks, to visually represent the supernatural elements of the curse. The visual storytelling would have relied heavily on composition and actor positioning within the frame, as the absence of dialogue required visual clarity to convey narrative information.

Innovations

While 'The Man Who Had Everything' was not noted for major technical innovations, it would have utilized the standard filmmaking technology of 1920. The film was likely shot on 35mm film stock, which had become the industry standard, and would have been edited using the mechanical editing equipment of the period. The production might have employed some of the special effects techniques available at the time, such as multiple exposure photography to create supernatural or dream sequences. The film's 50-minute runtime was relatively standard for features of the era, representing the growing trend toward longer narrative films that could sustain audience interest for an hour or more. The lighting equipment would have been among the more advanced portable units available, allowing for greater flexibility in location shooting. The film's preservation on nitrate stock, standard for the period, unfortunately contributed to its eventual loss, as nitrate film is highly flammable and prone to decomposition.

Music

As a silent film, 'The Man Who Had Everything' would have been accompanied by live musical performance during its theatrical exhibition. The specific musical score is not documented, but theaters typically provided accompaniment ranging from solo piano to full orchestras depending on the venue's size and prestige. The musical selections would have followed the conventions of silent film accompaniment, with different musical themes for main characters, dramatic underscoring for emotional scenes, and appropriate music for action sequences. The film's moralistic theme would have been reinforced through musical choices, with somber or minor-key music for scenes of Harry's spiritual emptiness and more triumphant music for moments of realization or redemption. Some theaters might have used compiled scores featuring popular classical pieces or contemporary songs, while larger houses might have commissioned original compositions specifically for the film.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening scene where Harry recklessly drives through the city streets, nearly hitting the blind beggar and setting the moral conflict in motion.
• The pivotal moment when the beggar places the curse upon Harry, with the dramatic intertitle displaying the fateful words.
• The sequence showing Harry's initial euphoria as his wishes begin to come true, likely depicted through montages of gambling wins and romantic conquests.
• The turning point where Harry realizes the emptiness of his fulfilled desires, probably shown through his lonely existence surrounded by luxury.
• The final redemption scene where Harry learns the value of earning what one needs rather than getting what one wants.

What Critics Said

Contemporary critical reception for 'The Man Who Had Everything' appears to have been modest, with reviewers of the time acknowledging its moral message while noting Jack Pickford's earnest performance. The film was reviewed in trade publications like Variety and Motion Picture News, where critics typically focused on the technical aspects and star performances. Modern critical assessment is limited due to the film's lost status, but film historians who have studied production records and contemporary reviews suggest it was considered a competent but unremarkable melodrama typical of its era. The film's theme of the dangers of excessive materialism was praised by some reviewers as timely and relevant to post-war American society. However, critics also noted that the narrative followed familiar conventions and didn't break new ground in terms of storytelling or visual innovation.

What Audiences Thought

Audience reception in 1920 appears to have been moderate, with the film attracting viewers primarily due to Jack Pickford's name recognition and the intriguing premise. The moralistic theme likely resonated with mainstream audiences of the time who appreciated clear-cut lessons about virtue and vice. However, the film was not among the major box office hits of its year, suggesting that it didn't capture the public imagination in the way that bigger productions did. The relatively short runtime of 50 minutes may have made it more appealing as part of double bills, which were common exhibition practices during the silent era. Audience reactions were likely influenced by the growing fascination with Hollywood stars and the novelty of cinema as a storytelling medium, though specific contemporary audience testimonials or feedback are not available in historical records.

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