Dear Silent Hall of Fame Users:
You have come to this website, because you like silent films and silent movie stars. There are many places like this. But unlike other sites, here at Silent Hall of Fame you can make a real difference. You can help us show for the first time many films featuring your favorite silent stars that have not been seen in generations. This will bring their names back into the public discourse. But you can do much more than that: you can help your favorite silent stars receive belated recognition and glory.
Until now there has never been an organization with the purpose to place a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for movie personalities from a century ago. Silent Hall of Fame is this historic organization. Silent Hall of Fame is the only organization of its kind. We will make history and we invite you to become a part of history by sponsoring a silent movie star for the Hollywood Walk of Fame. All contributions are tax deductible.
"Corner in Wheat" (1909) - with film
Arthur Johnson on the floor of the exchange
Directed by D.W. Griffith
Scenario D.W. Griffith, Frank E. Woods
Based on the novel The Pit (1903) by Frank Norris
Cinematography G.W. Bitzer
Starring Frank Powell, Henry Walthall, Arthur Johnson
Distributed by Biograph Company
Release date December 13, 1909
Country United States
Running time 14 m.
"Corner in Wheat" is a short social drama, directed by D.W. Griffith, featuring Arthur Johnson and cinematographer Billy Bitzer, stars of Silent Hall of Fame.
A greedy speculator decides to "corner" the wheat market, artificially raise the price on the market and profit from this. He is successful and makes a huge amount of money, but his action has disastrous consequences in real life, where the price of bread doubles, many people cannot afford it any more, wheat growers are ruined and the supply of charity bread is drastically reduced.
Arthur Johnson has a prominent role on the floor of the exchange. Robert Harron also gets credit for the film as a trader, but it is hard to spot him there.
"Corner in Wheat" was added to the National Film Registry in 1994 as being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
Click to enlarge:
Corner in Wheat
Linda-Arvidson-and-James-Kirkwood-in-Corner-in-Wheat-1909-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-1.jpg
Wheat growers Linda Arvidson and James Kirkwood prepare to plant the seeds in "Corner in Wheat" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Frank-Powell-and-Henry-Walthall-in-Corner-in-Wheat-1909-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-2.jpg
A speculator prepares the strategy as his team stands by in "Corner in Wheat" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Arthur-V-Johnson-in-Corner-in-Wheat-1909-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-3.jpg
Arthur Johnson (in light suit) is a trader on the floor of the exchange in "Corner in Wheat" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Arthur-V-Johnson-in-Corner-in-Wheat-1909-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-5.jpg
Arthur Johnson bids on the floor of the exchange in "Corner in Wheat" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Arthur-V-Johnson-in-Corner-in-Wheat-1909-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-8.jpg
Arthur Johnson bids assertively on the floor of the exchange in "Corner in Wheat" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Arthur-V-Johnson-in-Corner-in-Wheat-1909-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-11.jpg
Arthur Johnson helps another trader get medical aid in "Corner in Wheat" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Frank-Powell-in-Corner-in-Wheat-1909-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-12.jpg
Frank Powell is congratulated for his success in "Corner in Wheat" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Frank-Powell-in-Corner-in-Wheat-1909-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-13.jpg
Frank Powell is congratulated for his success by a rich crowd in "Corner in Wheat" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Corner-in-Wheat-1909-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-14.jpg
The price of bread has doubled in "Corner in Wheat" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Corner-in-Wheat-1909-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-15.jpg
A woman can't pay the double price and returns the bread to the baker in "Corner in Wheat" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Linda-Arvidson-and-James-Kirkwood-in-Corner-in-Wheat-1909-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-16.jpg
Linda Arvidson and James Kirkwood are out of luck in "Corner in Wheat" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Corner-in-Wheat-1909-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-17.jpg
Charity bread is gone for people on the poverty line in "Corner in Wheat" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Frank-Powell-and-Henry-Walthall-in-Corner-in-Wheat-1909-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-18.jpg
Frank Powell is told by Henry Walthall that he made 4 million in "Corner in Wheat" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Arthur Johnson helps another trader
Our Newsletter
Recent Movie Reviews
- "Annie Laurie" (1927) - hidden gem
- "Battling Butler" (1926) - with film
- "Whistles And Windows" (1918) - hidden gem
- "The Scarlet Letter" (1926) - hidden gem
- "Seven Chances" (1925) - with film
- "So This is Paris" (1926) - hidden gem
- "Two Daughters of Eve" (1912) - hidden gem
- "Go West" (1925) - with film
- "Spies and Spills" (1918) - hidden gem
- "The Lesson" (1910) - hidden gem
Donate
Click on a button below to sponsor a silent movie star with your tax-deductible contribution.
Please use this button for a one-time donation:
Please use the button below for a recurring donation
INSTRUCTIONS:
Please enter the dollar amount AND AFTER THAT click on the donate button.
Otherwise you may get a PayPal error message.