''The Miller's Daughter'' is a 1905 American

silent film A silent film is a film with no synchronized Sound recording and reproduction, recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) ...

produced by

Edison Manufacturing Company The Edison Manufacturing Company, originally registered as the United Edison Manufacturing Company and often known as simply the Edison Company, was organized by inventor and entrepreneur Thomas Edison and incorporated in New York City in May 188 ...

. Edison employees Wallace McCutcheon and

Edwin S. Porter Edwin Stanton Porter (April 21, 1870 – April 30, 1941) was an American film pioneer, most famous as a producer, director, studio manager and cinematographer with the Edison Manufacturing Company and the Famous Players Film Company. Of over ...

are generally credited as directors.Niver, Kemp (1967). ''Motion Pictures From The Library of Congress Paper Print Collection 1894-1912.'' University of California Press, The film is based on the melodrama '' Hazel Kirke'' by Steele MacKaye.

Plot

In the original play, Hazel Kirke, daughter of miller Dunstan Kirke, is expected to marry Aaron Rodney because he rescued their mill from insolvency. She instead marries Arthur Carrington, Lord Travers against her father's wishes. Carrington's mother also disapproves, and tells Hazel the marriage is illegal because her son is already married. Despondent, Hazel tries to drown herself, but Carrington rescues her.Bordman, Gerald; Hischak, Thomas S. (2004). ''The Oxford Companion to American Theatre.''

Oxford University Press Oxford University Press (OUP) is the university press of the University of Oxford. It is the largest university press in the world, and its printing history dates back to the 1480s. Having been officially granted the legal right to print books ...

, In Porter's adaptation, Carringford is a sophisticated urbanite and Rodney is a simple farmer. Both court Hazel, but she plans to marry Carringford against her father's wishes. On the wedding day, Carrington's real wife appears with proof they are married. Hazel is disowned and goes to live in the city slums. She tries to make a living sewing, but her sewing machine is repossessed. She returns home to beg forgiveness but is again rejected by her father. She plans to commit suicide in the

millrace A mill race, millrace or millrun, mill lade (Scotland) or mill leat (Southwest England) is the current of water that turns a water wheel, or the channel (sluice) conducting water to or from a water wheel. Compared with the broad waters of a mi ...

, but Rodney saves her. After she marries and has a baby, she goes to her father with his new grandchild, and he forgives her. Film historian

Charles Musser Charles John Musser (born 16 January 1951) is a film historian and documentary film maker. Since 1992 he has taught at Yale University, where he is currently a professor of Film and Media Studies as well as American Studies and Theater Studies. ...

writes of Porter's adaptation, "

azel Azel, proper name, may refer to: *'' Azel: Panzer Dragoon RPG'', a 1998 video game *A descendant of Saul (I Chronicles 8:37; I Chronicles 9:43-44) Books of Chronicles *A variant spelling of Azal, a place name referred to in Zechariah 14:5 Book of ...

must learn the role of the dutiful daughter, wife, and mother. The father assumes a godlike role. The change in title from the woman's name to her designated relationship to her father corresponds to this essential repositioning."Musser, Charles (1991). ''Before the Nickelodeon: Edwin S. Porter and the Edison Manufacturing Company.'' University of California Press,

References

External links

* American silent short films 1905 films Films directed by Edwin S. Porter American films based on plays 1905 drama films Articles containing video clips American black-and-white films Silent American drama films Films directed by Wallace McCutcheon Sr. 1900s American films 1900s English-language films {{1900s-short-drama-film-stub