Isn't Life Wonderful? (1924)

Synopsis: This silent drama from D.W. Griffith concerns the struggles of a poor young waif (Carole Dempster) and her starving family in post-World War I Germany. Young Inga (Dempster) has to deal with... This silent drama from D.W. Griffith concerns the struggles of a poor young waif (Carole Dempster) and her starving family in post-World War I Germany. Young Inga (Dempster) has to deal with out-of-control inflation and grinding poverty in order somehow put food on her starving family's table. One notable scene follows her agonized attempt to buy food with a shopping cart of practically worthless Deutsche marks. In another, her and her boyfriend (Neil Hamilton) are robbed of their potato harvest by a motley band of food thieves who mistake them for black market profiteers. Through it all, however, the family maintains a touching optimism and appreciation for the small things in life. Griffith once again proved himself ahead of his time with this film, a predecessor of European "neo-realist" films like THE BICYCLE THIEF. Unfortunately as a plea of sympathy for an enemy defeated, this film fell on hostile ears; it was not a hit at the box office and ended Griffith's career as an independent producer. His next film, SALLY OF THE SAWDUST would be as a contract director. Regardless of audience acceptance, ISN'T LIFE WONDERFUL? was a critical success, and holds up well today, evincing Griffith's peerless mastery of suspense and pathos. [More]

Starring: Carol Dempster, Neil Hamilton, Erville Anderson

Starring: Carol Dempster, Neil Hamilton, Erville Anderson

Director: D.W. Griffith

Director: D.W. Griffith

[See More Credits]