"His Wonderful Chance" (1920) - hidden gem
Martha Mansfield
Directed by George Archainbaud
Produced by Selznick Pictures
Written by Mary Murillo and Melville Hammett
Based on a screen story by H.H. Van Loan
Starring Eugene O'Brien, Martha Mansfield, Tom Blake, Rudolph Valentino
Cinematography unknown
Distributed by Select Pictures
Release date September 27, 1920
Running time 51 minutes
Country United States
Language Silent film, English intertitles
This film is part of our Silent Gems Collection and the DVD is available on Ebay.
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This film is part of our series 'Hidden Gems'. It can be watched by registered users who make a donation. For more details, please click here.
"His Wonderful Chance" is a crime drama, included in our program to illustrate the work and contributions of our star Martha Mansfield.
The first thing we want to do is set the record straight about the name of the film. All major movie sites, including IMDB and Silent Era, as well as Wikipedia, cite the title as "The Wonderful Chance", which is wrong. As you can see from the film itself, the correct title is "His Wonderful Chance".
After serving a term in prison an ex con is determined to change his ways and go straight, but circumstances put this determination to severe test.
Eugene O'Brien plays two roles - an English nobleman and an ex con. Martha Mansfield delivers a very pleasing and convincing performance as the love interest of 'Swagger' Barlow.
Click to enlarge:
His Wonderful Chance
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Old pals meet again - Tom Blake welcomes Eugene O'Brien after the latter did time in jail in "His Wonderful Chance" (1920).
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Tom Blake is really happy to see his old friend in "His Wonderful Chance" (1920).
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Tom Blake is not convinced that Eugene O'Brien wants to go straight in "His Wonderful Chance" (1920).
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Tom Blake returns badly wounded as Eugene O'Brien worries what to do in "His Wonderful Chance" (1920).
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Eugene O'Brien decides to do a robbery and pay a doctor to save his friend in "His Wonderful Chance" (1920).
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Martha Mansfield gives her horse a treat after the ride in "His Wonderful Chance" (1920).
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Martha Mansfield pets her horse in "His Wonderful Chance" (1920).
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Rudolph Valentino is a gang leader in "His Wonderful Chance" (1920).
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Eugene O'Brien nurses Tom Blake back to health in "His Wonderful Chance" (1920).
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Eugene O'Brien is confronted by Joseph Flanagan, but the cop leaves empty-handed in "His Wonderful Chance" (1920).
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Tom Blake takes a stranger for his friend Eugene O'Brien in "His Wonderful Chance" (1920).
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Martha Mansfield meets Eugene O'Brien in "His Wonderful Chance" (1920).
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Martha Mansfield enjoys the company of Eugene O'Brien in "His Wonderful Chance" (1920).
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Martha Mansfield becomes comfortable with Eugene O'Brien in "His Wonderful Chance" (1920).
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Martha Mansfield is excited to be with Eugene O'Brien in "His Wonderful Chance" (1920).
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Martha Mansfield expects things to happen, but Eugene O'Brien hesitates in "His Wonderful Chance" (1920).
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Martha Mansfield looks at Eugene O'Brien in "His Wonderful Chance" (1920).
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Eugene O'Brien is confronted by Rudolph Valentino in "His Wonderful Chance" (1920).
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Martha Mansfield is ready for a kiss as Eugene O'Brien looks on in "His Wonderful Chance" (1920).
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Martha Mansfield observes a strange change in her beau in "His Wonderful Chance" (1920).
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Martha Mansfield worries about a strange change in her beau in "His Wonderful Chance" (1920).
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Rudolph Valentino warns Eugene O'Brien to behave in "His Wonderful Chance" (1920).
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Martha Mansfield gets a strange letter in "His Wonderful Chance" (1920).
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Martha Mansfield realizes that her beau is an ex con in "His Wonderful Chance" (1920).
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Martha Mansfield meets Rudolph Valentino in "His Wonderful Chance" (1920).
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Martha Mansfield and Warren Cook look at her beau in "His Wonderful Chance" (1920).
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Martha Mansfield reacts as Warren Cook confronts Eugene O'Brien in "His Wonderful Chance" (1920).
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Martha Mansfield bids good-bye to Eugene O'Brien in "His Wonderful Chance" (1920).
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Martha Mansfield looks distraught after Eugene O'Brien left in "His Wonderful Chance" (1920).
Martha Mansfield with Eugene O'Brien
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