The production of The Red Lantern (1919) with Nazimova was a showcase of Capellani’s talents; he became involved in the writing of the script with June Mathis, in the preparation of the sets (recreating Peking), and in directing the huge crowds of extras as well as the stars. It was the only film Capellani directed in Hollywood, following the flu epidemic of 1918 that moved production from the East to California.