Help Wanted - Male 1920
In *Help Wanted - Male* (1920), the silent-era comedy directed by Henry King, aspiring heiress Leona Stafford hatches a bold plan to land a wealthy spouse after inheriting $1,000.
Director: Henry King
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is *Help Wanted - Male* (1920) about?
*Help Wanted - Male* follows Leona Stafford, a woman who invests her inheritance in a marriage scheme, posing as a wealthy widow at a luxury resort. When her lies spiral into suspicion—including accusations of kidnapping a missing aviator—she turns to a stranger for help, only to find her plans unraveling in classic silent-film style.
Who directed *Help Wanted - Male*?
Henry King, later renowned for films like *The Song of Bernadette* and *Twelve O'Clock High*, directed *Help Wanted - Male* in 1920.
Who stars in *Help Wanted - Male*?
The film features Blanche Sweet as Leona Stafford, Henry King in a supporting role, and Frank Leigh, Mayme Kelso, and Thomas Jefferson rounding out the cast.
Is *Help Wanted - Male* (1920) worth watching?
While modern audiences may find its premise dated, *Help Wanted - Male* offers a delightful snapshot of early silent comedy, with clever pacing and a charming lead in Blanche Sweet. Its historical value and lighthearted absurdity make it a worthwhile watch for fans of vintage filmmaking.
How long is *Help Wanted - Male*?
*Help Wanted - Male* runs for 60 minutes, a typical runtime for silent-era shorts of the era.
About Help Wanted - Male (1920) — Silent-Era Comedy with a Scheme Gone Wrong
In *Help Wanted - Male* (1920), the silent-era comedy directed by Henry King, aspiring heiress Leona Stafford hatches a bold plan to land a wealthy spouse after inheriting $1,000. With a wardrobe revamp and a fabricated backstory as a grieving widow with a shadowy past, she checks into a high-end resort, where her scheme quickly unravels. Suspicious hotel staff suspect her of foul play—even kidnapping a missing aviator—leaving Leona scrambling for help from a stranger she assumes is a harmless vagrant. Packed with mistaken identities and slapstick misunderstandings, this early 20th-century farce captures the chaotic charm of pre-code Hollywood, blending wit, social satire, and the era's signature comedic energy.
Starring Blanche Sweet as the determined yet hapless Leona, with Henry King himself in a supporting role, this one-reel gem showcases the playful absurdity of silent film comedy. Themes of ambition, deception, and social climbing collide in a story where appearances are everything—and nothing is as it seems.