Ray's first independent production, "45 Minutes from Broadway", was released in August 1920 and was fairly successful. In February 1921, he produced and starred in "The Old Swimmin' Hole", the only full length, American silent film that did not have intertitles to further the plot. The film drew critical acclaim for going against convention and for featuring a simple plot that was easy to follow without intertitles. Despite the acclaim, the film was only shown for a short time in theaters in larger cities (where such experimental films would likely be more accepted) because the film featured Ray in a country bumpkin role. In February 1922, he signed a long term contract with United Artists.