Deadline at Eleven

When socialite Helen Stevens obtains a job on a New York newspaper, she is met by much derision from the staff. Befriended by a heavy-drinking reporter named Jack Rawson, Helen rises to the position of advice-to-the-lovelorn columnist. One night Helen is assigned to a missing-girl story, and Jack promises to accompany her. However, he gets drunk instead, and later, awakening from a stupor, he stumbles upon the scene of a murder. Slipping into unconsciousness again, Jack awakens the next morning to find himself accused of the killing. Helen, with the aid of one of her lovelorn letters, investigates the story and uncovers the real murderer. Jack reforms and Helen takes him home to meet her mother.

Directed by George Fawcett, Deadline at Eleven leans on a strong ensemble — Corinne Griffith, Frank M. Thomas, Webster Campbell — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 1920.