The scenario was based on the novel, The Cross Pull by Hal G. Evarts, initially serialized in the 22 November 1919 Saturday Evening Post. An upcoming screen version was announced in the 20 August 1921 Motion Picture News by Al Lichtman, general manager of Associated Producers, Inc. The cast included William V. Mong and Ray Howard. Principal photography was completed soon after, as indicated by the 10 September 1921 Exhibitors Herald. Editing and titling of the film were to be completed within the next month. It was also noted that producer H. O. Davis was concurrently working as general manager for Mack Sennett’s Keystone Studios in Los Angeles, CA.
       Four weeks later, the 8 October 1921 Exhibitors Trade Review claimed that editing had been completed only five days after the last scene had been shot. An advertisement in the 26 October 1921 Variety stated that the feature, along with all other current Associated Producers releases, were to be distributed by Associated First National Pictures, Inc.
       Articles in the 15 October 1921 Exhibitors Herald and the December 1921 Photoplay revealed that the “Strongheart,” the film’s canine star, had been in the service of the German Red Cross during World War I, and was registered with the German Shepherd Dog Club of America by his real name, “Etzel von Oeringen.” The animal’s sale to screenwriter Jane Murfin was facilitated by club president Mrs. Leo Wanner, who acquired him from German dog breeder Robert Niedhardt. Murfin’s business partner, director Laurence Trimble, saw star potential in Etzel and became his trainer. Trimble later claimed that, while filming The Silent Call, the human actors needed more rehearsals than the dog, who had “learned the habit of strict obedience.” Locations shots were made in an undisclosed mountainous region of California, where Etzel performed scenes with a trained female wolf. Although she “formed an attachment” to Etzel, he showed little interest in her off-camera. Cast member William Dyer was reportedly nervous about engaging in a staged battle with the dog but was ultimately relieved to learn that Etzel was careful to tear only the actor’s clothing and not his flesh.
       The Silent Call was released on 26 November 1921. Trade screenings were held four days later at Associated First National exchanges throughout the U.S. Openings followed during the week of 2 January 1922 at the Liberty Theatre in Kansas City, MO, during the week of 22 January 1922 at the Capitol Theatre in New York City, and during the week of 4 February 1922 at Miller’s Theatre in Los Angeles. The 18 February 1922 Moving Picture World noted that the film “won unanimous praise” from critics in New York City and San Francisco, CA.
       An unrelated feature of the same name was released in 1961.
       The National Film Preservation Board (NFPB) included this film on its list of Lost U.S. Silent Feature Films as of February 2021.