A Corner in Wheat
Encyclopedia
A Corner in Wheat is a 1909 American short film which tells of a greedy tycoon who tries to corner the world market
on wheat, destroying the lives of the people who can no longer afford to buy bread. It was directed by D. W. Griffith and adapted by Griffith and Frank E. Woods
from the novel The Pit
(1903) by Frank Norris
.
Intercutting (cross-cutting
) between still tableaux
of the poor in the bread line and the lavish, active parties of the wealthy speculator somewhat anticipates the collision montage
which became a hallmark of the politically-charged Soviet cinema
a decade or so later.
In 1994, A Corner in Wheat was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry
by the Library of Congress
as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
Cornering the market
In finance, to corner the market is to get sufficient control of a particular stock, commodity, or other asset to allow the price to be manipulated. Another definition: "To have the greatest market share in a particular industry without having a monopoly...
on wheat, destroying the lives of the people who can no longer afford to buy bread. It was directed by D. W. Griffith and adapted by Griffith and Frank E. Woods
Frank E. Woods
Frank E. Woods was an American screenwriter of the silent era. He wrote for 90 films between 1908 and 1925. Woods was also a pioneering film reviewer. His contributions to film criticism are discussed in the documentary, For the Love of Movies: The Story of American Film Criticism. He was also...
from the novel The Pit
The Pit (novel)
The Pit is a 1903 novel by Frank Norris. Detailing wheat speculation and the trading pits at the Chicago Board of Trade Building, it was the second book in what was to be the Epic of Wheat trilogy . The third book, Wolf, was never completed.The Pit was the basis for A Corner in Wheat, a 1909 short...
(1903) by Frank Norris
Frank Norris
Benjamin Franklin Norris, Jr. was an American novelist, during the Progressive Era, writing predominantly in the naturalist genre. His notable works include McTeague , The Octopus: A Story of California , and The Pit .-Life:Frank Norris was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1870...
.
Intercutting (cross-cutting
Cross-cutting
Cross-cutting is an editing technique most often used in films to establish action occurring at the same time in two different locations. In a cross-cut, the camera will cut away from one action to another action, which can suggest the simultaneity of these two actions but this is not always the...
) between still tableaux
Tableau vivant
Tableau vivant is French for "living picture." The term describes a striking group of suitably costumed actors or artist's models, carefully posed and often theatrically lit. Throughout the duration of the display, the people shown do not speak or move...
of the poor in the bread line and the lavish, active parties of the wealthy speculator somewhat anticipates the collision montage
Film editing
Film editing is part of the creative post-production process of filmmaking. It involves the selection and combining of shots into sequences, and ultimately creating a finished motion picture. It is an art of storytelling...
which became a hallmark of the politically-charged Soviet cinema
Cinema of the Soviet Union
The cinema of the Soviet Union, not to be confused with "Cinema of Russia" despite Russian language films being predominant in both genres, includes several film contributions of the constituent republics of the Soviet Union reflecting elements of their pre-Soviet culture, language and history,...
a decade or so later.
In 1994, A Corner in Wheat was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry
National Film Registry
The National Film Registry is the United States National Film Preservation Board's selection of films for preservation in the Library of Congress. The Board, established by the National Film Preservation Act of 1988, was reauthorized by acts of Congress in 1992, 1996, 2005, and again in October 2008...
by the Library of Congress
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the research library of the United States Congress, de facto national library of the United States, and the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States. Located in three buildings in Washington, D.C., it is the largest library in the world by shelf space and...
as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
Cast and Roles
- Frank PowellFrank PowellFrank E. Powell was a stage and silent film actor, screenwriter, and director in the United States. He was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.Powell made his Broadway theatre debut in 1904 and began his career in film in 1909 as an actor and scriptwriter at Biograph Studios. There, he also...
as The wheat king - James KirkwoodJames Kirkwood, Sr.James Kirkwood, Sr. was an American actor and director....
as The poor farmer - Linda ArvidsonLinda Arvidson-Biography:Linda Arvidson was the first wife of film director D.W. Griffith . She played lead roles in many of his earliest films. While acting, she was sometimes credited as Linda Griffith...
as The poor farmer's wife - Henry B. WalthallHenry B. WalthallHenry Brazeale Walthall was an American film actor.-Career:Walthall began his career as a stage actor, appearing on Broadway in a supporting role in William Vaughn Moody's The Great Divide in 1906–1908. His career in movies began in 1908, in the film Rescued from an Eagle's Nest, which also...
as The wheat king's assistant - Grace HendersonGrace HendersonGrace Henderson was a stage actress and prolific performer in silent motion pictures. She made her professional debut at McKiver's Theatre in Chicago, Illinois in 1877....
as The wheat king's wife - W. Chrystie MillerW. Chrystie MillerW. Chrystie Miller was an American silent film actor. He appeared in 139 films between 1908 and 1914. He was born in Dayton, Ohio and died in Staten Island, New York.-Selected filmography:...
as The poor farmer's father