Early social commentary directed by D.W. Griffith; it's about "The Usurer" (think "Loan Shark" and "Money Lender") who calls in some loans, resulting in misery for those not as well off as he. As he collects money, he indulges more and more. Like Mr. Griffith's previous "message film" he receives an ironic comeuppance.
An unremarkable Griffith short; technically, it's not up to the director's own standards. The sealed room looks like it might fall down any moment. Both the actors and sets move in the wrong ways; and, it's painful to see poor Mary Pickford and Henry B. Walthall have their furniture repossessed!
*** The Usurer (8/15/10) D.W. Griffith ~ George Nichols, Grace Henderson, Mack Sennett