History's Best Selling Products of 1922

Make way for the hits of 1922! This remarkable era stood as a testament to the golden era of American industry and the march of first-rate items. Crowd-pleasers such as Grandma's Boy shared the spotlight with mega-bestsellers Blood and Sand and Robin Hood. Brought to you by top-notch makers from industry leaders like Fred C. Newmeyer and Fred Niblo, these trailblazing products swept main street from coast to coast as genuine top-flight hits and earned a permanent place in cultural lore. Check out the complete rank-ordered ledger below to relive the finest releases of the year.

1. Grandma's Boy

   Released in 1922 by Fred C. Newmeyer, Associated First National Pictures

   On July 30, 1922, audiences were introduced to the heartwarming and hilarious world of 'Grandma's Boy', a silent comedy that solidified Harold Lloyd's status as one of cinema's greatest stars. This premiere marked a significant milestone for Lloyd, as the film not only charmed critics and moviegoers but also achieved a remarkable box office success for its time, grossing an estimated $1.1 million. The release date itself is special, representing the moment a truly iconic character, the timid yet ultimately heroic 'Boy,' captured the hearts of a nation, demonstrating the power of a well-told story filled with laughter and an inspiring message of self-discovery, setting a new benchmark for silent film comedies.

2. Blood and Sand

   Released in 1922 by Fred Niblo, Paramount Pictures

   'Blood and Sand' premiered on August 5, 1922, marking a pivotal moment in Rudolph Valentino’s meteoric rise to stardom. This release date ushered in one of the most commercially successful films of the silent era, solidifying Valentino's image as the quintessential "Latin Lover." The film’s launch was met with immense anticipation, driven by Valentino's previous hit 'The Sheik' and its scandalous themes, creating a fervor among audiences. Its immediate box office success cemented its place as a blockbuster of the 1920s, demonstrating the immense power of star appeal and exotic romance in early Hollywood cinema. This particular date signifies the grand unveiling of a cultural phenomenon that would resonate for decades to come, defining a new era of cinematic celebrity.

3. Robin Hood (1922 film)

   Released in 1922 by Allan Dwan, United Artists

   On August 18, 1922, the grand spectacle of 'Robin Hood' premiered, captivating audiences and solidifying Douglas Fairbanks' status as the king of swashbuckling cinema. This silent epic was not merely a film; it was an event, heralded for its monumental scale, breathtaking stunts, and lavish production values. Setting new benchmarks for what movies could achieve, 'Robin Hood' was among the most expensive films of its time and went on to become one of the highest-grossing silent movies ever. This specific date marks the unveiling of a cinematic marvel that redefined adventure filmmaking and left an indelible mark on Hollywood's burgeoning Golden Age.

4. Smilin' Through

   Released in 1922 by Sidney Franklin, First National Pictures

   The romantic melodrama "Smilin' Through" premiered on October 22, 1922, captivating audiences with its blend of spiritualism, enduring love, and tragic family feuds. This date marked the launch of a significant silent-era hit for First National Pictures, becoming one of the year's top-grossing films and solidifying the star power of its leading lady, Norma Talmadge. The film's compelling narrative, rich with emotional depth and visual splendor, immediately resonated with viewers, establishing it as a touchstone in early Hollywood's fascination with romance and the supernatural. Its premiere was a celebrated event, setting the stage for a highly successful theatrical run that showcased the ambitious storytelling and technical prowess of the era.

5. Rags to Riches

   Released in 1922 by Wallace Worsley, Goldwyn Pictures

   The cinematic landscape of 1922 saw the debut of "Rags to Riches," a Goldwyn Pictures production that captured audiences with its blend of melodrama and social commentary. Released on November 12, 1922, this film offered a poignant exploration of class divides and the transformative power of love, making its premiere a notable event in the silent film era. While specific, granular box office records from this period are often scarce, the film garnered significant attention upon its release, illustrating the enduring appeal of narratives that champion personal growth and romantic triumph over adversity. This original premiere date marks the moment "Rags to Riches" began its journey to resonate with moviegoers, establishing itself as a charming example of early Hollywood storytelling and an important entry in the year's film releases.

6. Saturday Night

   Released in 1922 by Cecil B. DeMille, Famous Players-Lasky Corporation

   Released on the cusp of a new year, December 31, 1922, 'Saturday Night' emerged as a quintessential Cecil B. DeMille production, blending social commentary with compelling melodrama. While not as grand in scale as some of DeMille's epic works, its New Year's Eve debut positioned it as a thought-provoking conclusion to the cinematic year, capturing the public's imagination with its exploration of class distinctions and personal identity. The film earned a respectable $753,807 at the box office, a significant sum for a silent drama of its time, cementing DeMille's reputation as a director capable of delivering both spectacle and substance to eager audiences.

7. Babbitt

   Released in 1922 by Sinclair Lewis, Harcourt, Brace and Company

   Released in 1922, Sinclair Lewis's "Babbitt" holds profound historical significance as a seminal work that incisively captured and critiqued the spirit of the Jazz Age. The novel provided a searing indictment of the emerging American middle-class culture, characterized by its relentless pursuit of material wealth, uncritical conformity, and superficial social values. It not only became an immediate bestseller but also ignited widespread public debate, prompting Americans to reflect on the societal changes wrought by rapid industrialization and consumerism. Lewis's keen observation of the era's cultural landscape made "Babbitt" an essential literary document for understanding the anxieties and aspirations of 1920s America, directly influencing subsequent social commentary.

8. Gentle Julia

   Released in 1922 by Booth Tarkington, Doubleday, Page and Company

   Booth Tarkington's enchanting novel 'Gentle Julia' burst onto the American literary scene in 1922, quickly ascending to the ranks of the year's top bestsellers. Penned by the celebrated two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, this captivating story mesmerized readers with its charming protagonist and vivid portrayal of small-town Midwestern life. It became a cultural phenomenon, perfectly capturing the spirit of an era poised between old-world charm and emerging modernity. Its immediate popularity underscored Tarkington's masterful ability to craft engaging narratives that resonated deeply with a broad audience, making 'Gentle Julia' an indispensable read for understanding the literary landscape of the early 1920s and its enduring appeal.

9. Maria Chapdelaine

   Released in 1922 by Louis Hémon, Macmillan

   Louis Hémon's 'Maria Chapdelaine' emerged as a literary sensation in 1922, particularly through its widely acclaimed English translation, captivating readers and climbing to the #8 spot on Publishers Weekly's bestseller list. Though initially published posthumously in French a few years prior, the novel truly became a cultural phenomenon in the English-speaking world this year. It offered a profound, yet accessible, glimpse into the challenging and spiritual life of French-Canadian pioneers, quickly becoming a touchstone for discussions on national identity, resilience, and humanity's relationship with the untamed wilderness of Quebec.

10. Simon Called Peter

    Released in 1922 by Robert Keable, E. P. Dutton

    Upon its release in 1922, Robert Keable's 'Simon Called Peter' detonated like a cultural bombshell, instantly becoming one of the year's top-selling novels. It captured the tumultuous spirit of the post-World War I era, offering a frank and often controversial exploration of faith, love, and the disillusionment gripping a generation. Its sensational success wasn't just due to its compelling narrative; it was a phenomenon that challenged prevailing moral and religious sensibilities, sparking widespread debate and cementing its place as a defining text of the Jazz Age.

11. The Breaking Point

    Released in 1922 by Mary Roberts Rinehart, George H. Doran Company

    Mary Roberts Rinehart's "The Breaking Point" launched into the literary scene of 1922 with considerable fanfare, quickly cementing its place as one of the year's top-selling novels. Published by the esteemed George H. Doran Company, the novel captivated readers with its intricate blend of mystery, psychological suspense, and domestic drama. Its immediate success wasn't merely a testament to Rinehart's established popularity but also to its compelling narrative that tapped into the era's fascination with hidden pasts and the depths of the human psyche. The book became a significant cultural phenomenon, widely discussed and devoured by a public eager for a gripping tale.

12. The Head of the House of Coombe

    Released in 1922 by Frances Hodgson Burnett, Frederick A. Stokes Company

    In 1922, Frances Hodgson Burnett, already a literary titan known for beloved children's classics, captivated adult readers with 'The Head of the House of Coombe.' This sweeping romance and social drama immediately struck a chord, becoming one of the year's top-selling novels. Its intricate plot, rich characterizations, and exploration of societal mores offered a compelling escape for a post-World War I audience navigating a changing world. The book's popularity cemented Burnett's enduring appeal, demonstrating her mastery across genres and her keen understanding of the human heart, making it a significant cultural phenomenon upon its release.

13. This Freedom

    Released in 1922 by A. S. M. Hutchinson, Little, Brown and Company

    “This Freedom” burst onto the literary scene in 1922, cementing A. S. M. Hutchinson's status as a formidable voice in post-World War I fiction. Following the massive success of his previous novel, “If Winter Comes,” Hutchinson's latest offering was eagerly anticipated and swiftly became a cultural phenomenon. Its controversial exploration of a woman's struggle to balance a career with traditional domestic roles immediately captured the public imagination, sparking widespread debate across drawing rooms and newspaper columns. The novel's timing was impeccable, resonating deeply with a society grappling with changing gender roles and the burgeoning spirit of female independence in the wake of the suffrage movement, making it one of the defining literary talking points of its era.

14. To the Last Man

    Released in 1922 by Zane Grey, Harper & Brothers

    “To the Last Man,” published in 1922, burst onto the American literary scene with the force of a desert storm, cementing Zane Grey's status as the undisputed king of the Western novel. At a time when America was captivated by the mythos of the frontier and the rugged individualism it represented, Grey's latest offering provided an immersive escape into a world of stark landscapes, enduring feuds, and passionate romance. Its immediate popularity saw it climb bestseller lists, becoming the ninth bestselling novel of the year, a testament to its widespread appeal and Grey's masterful storytelling. The novel wasn't just a book; it was a cultural phenomenon, drawing readers into a thrilling narrative of vengeance and love set against the unforgiving Arizona Territory.