The story
“The announcement that George Eliot’s great novel, The Mill on the Floss, has been screened by the Thanhouser studios, and will be released as a Masterpicture, December 16th, is bound to create a thrill of anticipation in every city and town throughout the world. The vivid, appealing story of Maggie Tulliver’s stormy young life is a household classic.... Mignon Anderson has been chosen to impersonate Maggie. Miss Anderson’s name in synonymous with the success of numerous big productions of the Thanhouser studios. She is the petite star who so often has appeared in child roles, and two years ago she was the most famous ingenue in Mutual releases. As leading woman, Miss Anderson has been featured in The Price of Her Silence and in Milestones of Life, both Masterpictures. Fearless stunt acting and marvelous facility for facial expression distinguish the work of this versatile favorite, and both these gifts are brought notably into play in the role of Maggie Tulliver. Miss Anderson long had desired a part in which she would be called upon to handle a boat under difficulties. In the thrilling scene which concludes The Mill on the Floss, her ambition has been realized.
“Miss Anderson’s five feet, one inch, and her ninety-four pounds, contain more talent and adaptability to the ounce avoirdupois, than is found in most leading women of twice her stature. Four years ago she came to Thanhouser from the very best theatrical companies on the American stage. She had been educated professionally in the support of Joseph Jefferson, Mansfield, and Marlowe. But she prefers the studio to the footlights, and she is herself a player of considerable merit. A keen sense of humor, and love of truthfulness, make ‘Mig’ a favorite with everybody at the New Rochelle plant. George Eliot’s impulsive, warm-hearted, moody young heroine, whose devotion to her brother was the ruling passion of her life, actually lives and breathes for us in Miss Anderson’s sincere portrayal. The entire play is admirably cast. George Marlo is Philip Wakem, who wins our compassion from the first. Arthur Bauer as the unscrupulous Lawyer Wakem, and W. Eugene Moore as Tulliver, the elder, have some strong scenes together. Stephen is convincingly played by Boyd Marshall. Every character has effectively caught the atmosphere of the novel.
“The Tullivers, the story reveals, have owned the mill on the Floss for generations. There is a tradition in the family that if ever the mill should be sold out of their hands, the Floss will overflow its banks and the property be destroyed. Mr. Tulliver is struggling to protect the mill against the covetous advances of Lawyer Wakem. Maggie, his moody little daughter, while visiting her brother Tom at a boarding school, meets Philip Wakem, the crippled son of her father’s enemy. The two children are sympathetically drawn to one another. Gradually, Philip comes to love Maggie. A few years later, when the lawyer embroils Tulliver in a lawsuit and cheats him out of his property, Philip persuades his father to make Tulliver manager of the mill. For the sake of his family, the former owner consents to take charge. Day by day, he grows to hate Wakem more bitterly, and Tom, at his father’s command, swears undying enmity to the lawyer. Chancing to find Maggie and Philip together on the river bank one day, Tom angrily threatens the cripple with violence. Fearful for Philip’s safety, the girl tells him that he never must meet her again until she has won her brother’s permission. The lawyer’s son confesses his love and asks Maggie to marry him. But she frankly refuses.
“At last, an investment of Tom’s enables the Tullivers to buy back the mill. The father’s long repressed resentment against the arrogant lawyer flares up, and, in a quarrel, Tulliver strikes Wakem. The lawyer is not seriously hurt, but Tulliver, overwrought by his sufferings and tardy triumph, is taken mortally ill. He dies that night. Maggie wins the consent of Tom to see Philip. The two are very happy, until the coming of Stephen Guest. Stephen has been courting Lucy Tulliver, a cousin, but when he meets Maggie he discovers that it is she, not the insipid Lucy, whom he really loves. A scandal grows out of a harmless situation, and Tom Tulliver drives from home the sister who worships him. A terrible flood devastates the Floss valley. The mill is wrecked. Maggie rescues her brother in a small boat, but, as the current grows stronger, they are unable to cope with the flood-tide. After the waters have subsided, their bodies are found, in close embrace. Maggie’s fervent prayer in that last tragic hour had been fulfilled.”
Summary from Reel Life · 4 December 1915
