An unscrupulous and greedy capitalist speculator decides to corner the wheat market for his own profit, establishing complete control over the markets.
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Title: A Corner in Wheat (1909)
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Cast
| Cast overview: | |||
| Frank Powell | ... | The Wheat King | |
 |
Grace Henderson | ... | The Wheat King's Wife |
| James Kirkwood | ... | The Farmer | |
| Linda Arvidson | ... | The Farmer's Wife | |
| W. Chrystie Miller | ... | The Farmer's Father | |
| Gladys Egan | ... | The Farmer's Little Daughter | |
| Henry B. Walthall | ... | The Wheat King's Assistant | |
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Plot Summary
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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. Written by James Meek <james@oz.net>
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Trivia
This film was selected to the National Film Registry, Library of Congress, in 1994. See more »Goofs
When the Wheat King reads the letter regarding his increase in wealth, he is wearing gloves. After he falls into the wheat pit, there is an un-gloved hand reaching for the heavens; however, when they pull him out, he is once again wearing gloves. See more »Frequently Asked Questions
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
13 December 1909 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
A gabonatőzsde spekulánsai See more »Company Credits
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
SilentColor:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1Contribute to This Page
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D.W.Griffith's condensed interpretation (14 minutes) of social conscious novelist Frank Norris's The Pit is an early and beautifully crafted example of what incredible influence film could exert in conveying its message to the masses.
A Corner in the Wheat is a clear and concise portrayal of Capitalistic greed as Griffith masterly employs the early tools of the trade to convey and condemn the repercussions of such action. It is early juxtaposition at its best as cross cuts between the have and have nots with well paced editing and striking compositions (the wheat field scenes are right out of Vincent Millette)that graphically illustrates the imperfection of the system.
There is a powerhouse finish rich in irony in this subversive work by the aristocratic Griffith that clearly must have inspired and influenced the work of the great Russian Socialist directors and by doing so adds final irony to this early work of pure cinema.