Black Oxen (1923)
A silent-era mystery romance where youth, identity, and obsession collide in the glamorous drawing rooms of 1920s Manhattan.
Black Oxen - Movie Information
Black Oxen - Plot
A Manhattan playboy falls for a mysterious European woman, whom he notices is an exact double for a famous socialite who disappeared at the turn of the century. At first he thinks it's just a coincidence, as the beautiful young woman he's romancing is much younger than the woman who vanished, who would be in her late 50s or early 60s by now. Soon, however, he begins to believe that maybe it's not such a coincidence after all.
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Black Oxen - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Frank Lloyd
Main Cast
- Corinne Griffith
- Conway Tearle
- Tom Ricketts
- Tom Guise
- Clara Bow
- Kate Lester
- Alan Hale
- Harry Mestayer
- Lincoln Stedman
- Claire McDowell
Writers
- Mary O'Hara
- Frank Lloyd
Black Oxen - FAQs
Who are the main actors in Black Oxen?
The cast is led by Corinne Griffith as the enigmatic Madame Zatianny and Conway Tearle as the smitten Lee Clavering. You'll also spot a very young Clara Bow in an early role, alongside Tom Ricketts, Alan Hale, Kate Lester, and Claire McDowell.
Is Black Oxen based on a true story?
Black Oxen is not based on a true story. It's adapted from Gertrude Atherton's 1923 bestselling novel of the same name. The story's central premise — a woman restored to youth through a fictional rejuvenation treatment — was inspired by real scientific debates of the era around gland therapy and aging.
What is Black Oxen about?
A charming Manhattan playboy becomes obsessed with a beautiful, mysterious European woman who looks exactly like a famous socialite who vanished decades ago. As he digs deeper, he begins to suspect she may actually be that same woman — somehow decades younger than she should be.
What is the youth-restoration science in Black Oxen?
The film references a fictional rejuvenation procedure inspired by the real-life Steinach operation, a controversial early 20th-century gland therapy that claimed to reverse aging. In the story, Madame Zatianny has undergone such a treatment in Europe, which explains her impossibly youthful appearance despite her true age.
Where can you watch Black Oxen?
You can watch Black Oxen on Mometu with ads or for free on Public Domain Movies. As a 1923 silent film now in the public domain, it's widely accessible without a subscription.
Was Black Oxen an early role for Clara Bow?
Yes! Black Oxen is one of Clara Bow's earliest screen appearances. She plays Janet Ogelthorpe, a supporting role, but her natural charisma was already evident. The film predates her rise to superstardom by just a few years, making it a fascinating glimpse of the future "It Girl" at the very start of her career.
When was Black Oxen released?
Black Oxen was released on December 29, 1923. Directed by Frank Lloyd and produced by Frank Lloyd Productions and First National Pictures, it arrived at the height of the silent film era and became one of the more talked-about releases of that year.
What genre is Black Oxen?
Black Oxen blends Drama, Romance, and Science Fiction in a way that feels surprisingly modern for a 1923 silent film. The romantic intrigue at its core is wrapped around a sci-fi premise involving age reversal, giving the story an unusual and compelling edge for its time.
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