Back to the collection

OPEN CLASSIC CINEMA · 1126

The White Rose

1923100 minUnited States

Synopsis

Before taking charge of a parish, wealthy seminary graduate Joseph travels to experience life beyond his sheltered upbringing. In New Orleans he becomes involved with Bessie, a poor orphan he meets at a dance hall. Her pregnancy exposes the distance between his religious position and his personal responsibilities.

Watch the film ↓

Video edition: Wikimedia Commons
Original language: No spoken dialogue. Intertitles: not identified.
This copy runs: 98:33
Subtitles: No subtitle track in this language

No spoken dialogue. Intertitles: not identified. No subtitle track in this language.

Languages and subtitles

No subtitle track in this language

Wikimedia Commons · D. W. Griffith · Public domain

Cast

Mae Marsh

Ivor Novello

Carol Dempster

Neil Hamilton

DirectorsD. W. Griffith Herbert Sutch

Behind the scenes

Griffith filmed in Louisiana and Florida with Mae Marsh and Ivor Novello. The melodrama also includes white performers in blackface as household servants, reflecting racist conventions of its production period.

Sources and availability

General references identify the work and its copy. A reference beside an editorial section is linked to the claims checked in that section.

Wikipedia — film reference Wikidata — film identity and credits

Work catalogued as public domain in the United States.

The public-domain references concern the original films in the United States. Rights can differ for other countries, editions, restorations, music or translations. Sources are listed on each film page.

Availability checked on September 15, 2026.

Photograph credit

Photographs cropped, resized and optimized as WebP, displayed in monochrome.

Mae Marsh — Unknown author · Public domain
Carol Dempster — Russell Ball (1896-1942) · Public domain
Neil Hamilton — Unknown author · Public domain

Audience rating

Loading ratings…