The White Rose | 1923 | Drama

Title: The White Rose | 1923 | Drama Director: D. W. Griffith Studio: D. W. Griffith Productions / United Artists Starring: Mae Marsh, Ivor Novello, Carol Dempster, Neil Hamilton, Lucille La Verne, Porter Strong Based on: Original screenplay by D. W. Griffith Release Date: May 21 1923 Runtime: Approximately 100 minutes Format: Silent black and white Country: United States Language: Silent with English intertitles Genres: Drama --- Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction and seminary graduation 00:15:00 Journey to New Orleans 00:30:00 Meeting Bessie at the dance hall 00:45:00 Romance and moral conflict 01:00:00 Pregnancy revelation 01:15:00 Struggle and reconciliation --- Summary: The White Rose is a 1923 American silent drama directed, written, and produced by D. W. Griffith. The story follows Joseph, a wealthy young Southern aristocrat who, before assuming his duties as a minister, seeks worldly experience and finds himself drawn to a poor orphan girl named Bessie. Their brief affair leads to unexpected consequences when Bessie becomes pregnant, prompting emotional turmoil and social challenges. The narrative explores themes of love, personal responsibility, and the consequences of choices, set against Southern locales and reflecting Griffith’s blend of melodrama and character-driven storytelling. --- Background: Filmed on location in Louisiana and Florida, The White Rose stars Mae Marsh and Ivor Novello and was produced during the later period of Griffith’s silent era career. Though considered one of his lesser-known features, the film survives in archives and is noted for its scenic settings and moral complexity. --- Trivia: The White Rose was shot in several Louisiana locations including New Iberia and St. Martinville, with Mardi Gras sequences captured on site. Prints of the film are held by multiple archives including the George Eastman House and UCLA Film & Television Archive. The film’s themes and stylistic elements are sometimes compared to Griffith’s earlier melodramas such as *Way Down East*. --- Public Domain / Rights: Original Release: May 21 1923 Original Studio / Distributor: D. W. Griffith Productions / United Artists Copyright Status: Public Domain Renewal: Unknown --- Hashtags: #TheWhiteRose #1923Film #DWGriffith #MaeMarsh #SilentFilm #Drama #ClassicCinema #PublicDomain