Short Films Of D.W. Griffith Volume II, The

1470. THE SHORT FILMS OF D.W. GRIFFITH: VOLUME 2 (1909-1913-USA) If any one filmmaker can be called the father of the motion picture industry in America-if not the world-it would be D.W. GRIFFITH. Before he produced such groundbreaking feature-length masterpieces as The Birth Of A Nation and Intolerance, Griffith made literally hundreds of short films for the Biograph Studio. Here is a sampling of some of the best early Griffith. Sprinkled throughout are some familiar Griffith faces and names, including LILLIAN GISH, BOBBY HARRON, MAE MARSH, LIONEL BARRYMORE, DOROTHY GISH, HENRY B. WALTHALL, KATE BRUCE, JAMES KIRKWOOD am HARRY CAREY SR.
1. A CORNER IN WHEAT (1909-USA). This is the first film in which Griffith attempts social commentary. The scenario parallels the problems of a poor farmer and the dealings of an ill-fate “wheat king.” Based on the novel “The Pit” by FRANK NORRIS.
2.THE REVENUE MAN and HIS GIRL (1911-USA). Set in the Kentucky mountains, this is the story of hillbilly moonshiners and a young tax collector who disrupts their lives.
3. THE MUSKETEERS OF PIG ALLEY (1912-USA). Another Griffith landmark-and what could not unfairly be called the first gangster film ever made. Clearly this exercise in realism is the predecessor of the crime movies of later generations, as well as one of Griffith’s most profoundly moving short; The radiant young LILLIAN GISH stars.
4. A GIRL and HER TRUST (1912-USA). Things get mighty risky for a railroad telegraph operate named Grace when a $2,000 payroll is scheduled to arrive on the next train. Griffith’s crosscutting techniques are perfect by this time. An interesting comparison with “The Lonedale Operator.” NOTE: This film also appears as cat. #2970.
5. THE BATTLE OF (AT) ELDERRUSH GULCH (1913-USA). In this, one of Griffith’s final Biograph shorts, a pair of young Eastern sisters arrive in the wild and wooly West-and are greeted with grueling battles and Indian attacks galore. “Silent” films with original organ score, correct projection speed. 112 minutes total. D.W. Griffith