The Miser's Heart (1911)

Thieves decide to steal the money an old miser has hidden away. He refuses to open the safe for them, so they threaten to kill a girl who lives in his building.

Director:

D.W. Griffith

Writer:

George Hennessy

Stars:

Linda Arvidson, Lionel Barrymore, William J. Butler

Cast

Credited cast:
Linda Arvidson	...	Kathy's Mother
Lionel Barrymore	...	Jules, the Thief
William J. Butler	...	Policeman
Donald Crisp	...	Policeman
Adele DeGarde	...	Neighbor
Edward Dillon	...	Down-and-Out Young Man
Frank Evans	...	Policeman
Edith Haldeman	...	The Little Child
Robert Harron	...	Bakeshop Assistant
Adolph Lestina	...	The Miser
Wilfred Lucas	...	First Crook
Charles Hill Mailes	...	Second Crook
Alfred Paget	...	Policeman
W.C. Robinson	...	In Front of Clothing Store
Ynez Seabury	...	Little Kathy

Storyline

Kathy, a young child, has befriended the elderly miser who lives on an upper floor of the building where she lives. Today, while playing outside, she also makes friends with Jules, a homeless petty thief. Later, when she is in the miser's apartment, two violent criminals break in. They tie a rope around Kathy and dangle her out of a window, threatening to let her fall to the ground if the miser does not give them the combination to his safe. Outside, Jules sees her in danger, but to help her he must risk dealing with the police.

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Plot Keywords:

miser | safe | rope | thief | petty thief | 

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Genres:

Short | Crime | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 November 1911 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Fort Lee, New Jersey, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Biograph Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

18 min 18 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

Quite An Interesting Drama

This is a somewhat uneven but very interesting D.W. Griffith drama, with many of the kinds of touches that came to characterize his work. He gets good performances from his cast, tells the story with his usual technical skill, and uses it to bring out some worthwhile insights on human nature. Only the rather contrived nature of the plot detracts from the overall quality. One of Lionel Barrymore's earliest roles also makes it well worth watching.

The story focuses on a young child - for whom Griffith takes care to build up sympathy before the main action starts - and her friendships with an old miser and with a homeless petty thief. When she is put in peril by a pair of dangerous criminals, both of her friends have tough decisions to make: the miser must choose between her safety and his money, while the thief would have to risk dealing with the police to save her.

Although some of the elements in the setup had to be forced slightly in order to bring about the key situation, this is certainly excusable in view of the interesting themes and ideas that it brings out. These are the kinds of contrasts and moral dilemmas that sometimes brought out the best in Griffith. It works well, and because the key ideas are so significant, it still holds up rather well, too.