Director's Spotlight
Senior Film Conservator

Director's Spotlight: United States
A Deep Dive into the 1921 Vision of Chester Withey
To understand the modern evolution of United States film, one must first look at Coincidence and the collaborative alchemy between Chester Withey and the 1921 creative team. Subverting the expectations of the typical 1921 audience, it remains a vital reference point for anyone studying the evolution of Chester Withey.
In Coincidence, Chester Withey pushes the boundaries of conventional narrative. The film's unique approach to its subject matter has sparked endless debates and interpretations among cinephiles and critics alike.
| Cinematography | Handheld |
| Soundtrack | Diegetic |
| Editing | Elliptical |
| Art Direction | Expressionist |
Visualizing the convergence of Chester Withey's style and the core Comedy narrative.
Billy Jenks, a young bank clerk in a small town, goes to New York City in search of greater opportunity and becomes a cashier in a department store. When several dollar bills he is counting are blown out a window, he chases after them and, by coincidence, finds the money at the feet and on the hat of stenographer Phoebe Howard. They become so romantically overwhelmed that they neglect their jobs and are soon fired. Billy wires his aunt for money, but the next day, when he throws his alarm clock out the window, it hits, by coincidence, the head of a lawyer who has come to tell Billy that his aunt has died and left him $100,000 in thousand-dollar bills, which he duly presents to the stunned heir. When Billy gives Phoebe the news on a Fifth Avenue bus, con man "Handsome Harry" Brent overhears their conversation, introduces himself, and arranges to "help" them by investing the money the next day. However, Billy's money is stolen by John Carter, who is desperately in debt, and Billy, by coincidence, mistakes Stephen Fiske, Carter's creditor, for the thief. During a series of chases, notes and money are exchanged to the satisfaction of all parties, leaving Billy and Phoebe to get married.
Decades after its release, Coincidence remains a vital piece of the cinematic puzzle. Its influence can be seen in countless modern works, solidifying Chester Withey's status as a master of the craft in United States and beyond.