Silas Marner

Silas Marner is a 1922 American silent historical drama film directed by Frank P. Donovan and starring Crauford Kent, Marguerite Courtot, and Robert Kenyon. It is an adaptation of the 1861 novel of the same name by George Eliot.[1]

As described in a film magazine,[2] at Lantern Yard Silas Marner (Kent) is accused of theft and is betrayed by his best friend, who is in love with the woman Silas is engaged to. He is driven from the town and goes to Raveloe where he becomes a hermit, piling up gold as a weaver. Over 15 years his faith in mankind and God are shaken, the only consolation is his pile of gold. One day this is stolen, and he becomes more of a recluse and even less friendly to his neighbors. A dying woman leaves a baby girl on his doorstep, bringing a change to his distorted view of life. Under her influence he becomes a respected citizen of the town. The girl's father, unknown to Silas, a son of the wealthy Squire Cass (Randolf), has been nursing the secret, pending his marriage to one of his set. After several years of marriage, the son confesses the duplicity to his wife, and they decide to claim the now young woman. Silas sees this as one more attempt to make him desolate. The young woman, however, would rather remain with Silas than go with her rightful father. She is later happily married to a suitor with whom Silas makes his home.