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Money Mad

Name: Money Mad
Director: D.W. Griffith
Released: 1908
Duration: 9 min

Representation Score

1.4/10

Minimal

1908

Director

D.W. Griffith

Runtime

9 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Money Mad is a conventional early crime melodrama that prioritizes moralistic storytelling over social complexity. The plot centers on a singular character study of avarice, focusing on an old miser and a group of thugs. Since the film relies on traditional archetypes of greed and criminality, it lacks exploration of diverse identities or subversion of social hierarchies. The representation is limited to the homogeneous standards of the early 20th century. Ultimately, the film serves as a moral fable about individual failings rather than a deconstruction of broader cultural or systemic issues.

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Category Breakdown

Does Money Mad have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not include any characters with LGBTQ identities. The story focuses on a character study of greed, which does not explore queer themes.

How does Money Mad portray gender?

Limited

The story centers on a male miser and male antagonists. This emphasis on masculine archetypes of criminality reinforces traditional gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Money Mad?

Minimal

There is no indication of a diverse cast or non-Anglo-Saxon characters. The work reflects the homogeneous casting standards typical of the early silent era.

How does Money Mad represent religion and culture?

Limited

The film functions as a moral fable regarding the corruptive nature of wealth. It critiques individual avarice rather than offering a systemic critique of social structures.

Does Money Mad include disability representation?

Minimal

The narrative provides no evidence of characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Present on Screen

The film offers a clear, focused character study of avarice and moral corruption.

Limited or Absent

The narrative lacks racial and ethnic diversity, reflecting a very narrow casting scope.
There is a significant absence of female characters or non-straight identities.
The story focuses on individual morality rather than exploring systemic social structures.

Official Synopsis

The central figure is an old miser, a Harpagon of sorts, who, like Frosine, stashes his ill-gotten money in a secret cellar. While the miser is at the bank, exchanging stolen notes for gold coin, a couple of thugs witness the transaction and see their opportunity-- It seems avarice grips the hearts of all those who'd possess the bag.

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