George Eliot's tale of redemption had been filmed before in the silent era, most notably in 1917 by the underrated Thanhouser Studios. This version, put out by Associated Exhibitors, starred Crauford Kent, a British actor who was well cast as the man whose faith in humanity is renewed by an orphaned girl. Overall the casting was solid, with Anders Randolph as Squire Cass and George Fawcett as Dr. Kimble. The idealistic Silas Marner (Kent) finds his love for his fellowmen dashed when he is falsely accused of theft. He is ostracized by the townsfolk in the small village where he lives and becomes a recluse and a miser. But even the gold he has come to prize is stolen from him, and his life seems without purpose. When he finds a baby whose mother died near his home, he raises her to adulthood, which gives meaning to his existence. But her father comes to claim her and it seems that once again Marner will come out the loser. The young woman, however, chooses to remain with Marner, who she considers her true father. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
