A Corner in Wheat (1909)

A greedy tycoon decides, on a whim, to corner the world market in wheat. This doubles the price of bread, forcing the grain's producers into charity lines and further into poverty. The film... See full summary »

Director:

D.W. Griffith

Writers:

D.W. Griffith, Frank Norris (novel),

Stars:

Frank Powell, Grace Henderson, James Kirkwood

1 win.

Cast

Credited cast:
Frank Powell	...	The Wheat King
Grace Henderson	...	The Wheat King's Wife
James Kirkwood	...	Farmer
Linda Arvidson	...	Farmer's Wife
W. Chrystie Miller	...	Farmer's Father
Gladys Egan	...	Farmer's Little Daughter
Henry B. Walthall	...	Wheat King's Assistant
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Kate Bruce	...	In Store
William J. Butler	...	Ruined Wheat Trader
Charles Craig	...	On the Floor of the Exchange / Banquet Invitee
Edward Dillon
Frank Evans	...	On the Floor of the Exchange / Banquet Invitee / Grain Elevator Attendant
Edith Haldeman	...	In Store
Robert Harron	...	On the Floor of the Exchange
Ruth Hart	...	In Store

Storyline

A greedy tycoon decides, on a whim, to corner the world market in wheat. This doubles the price of bread, forcing the grain's producers into charity lines and further into poverty. The film continues to contrast the ironic differences between the lives of those who work to grow the wheat and the life of the man who dabbles in its sale for profit.

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Plot Keywords:

farm | class struggle | morality | social issues | based on novel

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Genres:

Short | Drama

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 December 1909 (USA)

Also Known As:

A gabonatőzsde spekulánsai

Filming Locations:

Biograph Studio, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Biograph Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

14 min 14 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film was selected to the National Film Registry, Library of Congress, in 1994.

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Connections

Featured in The Nostalgia Critic: To Boldly Flee: Part VII (2012)

User Reviews

Cornering the Market

Early film of "social relevance" directed by D.W. Griffith. It's a little difficult to follow - apparently, Mr. Griffith is showing the contrast between the wealthy "Wheat King" (played by Frank Powell) and the poor "Farmer" (played by James Kirkwood). The farmer does the manual work, laboring in the fields. The wealth businessman reaps the profits, in luxury. In the film, Mr. Powell's character becomes more and more greedy, making the price of goods so high the poor farmers can't afford the goods they helped create. Of the supporting players, Henry B. Walthall is most impressive as Kirkwood's associate. Griffith mixes location and set nicely. Watch the wicked "Wheat King" meet a pitiful, ironic end.

****** A Corner in Wheat (12/13/09) D.W. Griffith ~ Frank Powell, James Kirkwood, Henry B. Walthall