Greed (1924)

In the heart of the Gold Rush era, John McTeague, a slow-witted man of simple means, transitions from laboring in the Big Dipper Gold Mine to a career in dentistry, a skill he acquired from an itinerant tooth-puller. His life takes an intriguing twist when he meets the enchanting Trina in his makeshift dental office. Introduced by Marcus, McTeague's confidant turned adversary, Trina soon becomes the object of McTeague's affection, leading Marcus to step aside. As the stars align, McTeague and Trina unite in matrimony, a day made unforgettable by Trina's $5000 lottery win. This unexpected windfall, however, morphs into a golden curse as Trina develops a pathological obsession with her newly-acquired wealth. She transforms into a relentless miser, hoarding every penny of her golden bounty, even as she and McTeague descend into the depths of poverty. Marcus, seething with resentment over Trina's riches and his missed opportunity, manipulates the law to close down McTeague's dental practice, exploiting the fact that McTeague lacks formal education. Meanwhile, Trina, paranoid about losing her treasure, sells every possession and claims every cent McTeague earns, further inflating her stash of gold while they subsist in squalor. Eventually, jobless and penniless, the desperate McTeague leaves, forcing Trina to relocate. However, pushed to the precipice of despair by poverty and hunger, he tracks down Trina, leading to a grim showdown over the gold. As McTeague is pursued through Death Valley by Marcus and the law, the cycle of greed, betrayal, and revenge comes full circle, spelling tragedy for all involved. In this bleak landscape, the narrative of 'Greed' unfolds, a chilling testament to the destructive power of avarice.

Greed is a crime movie featuring Zasu Pitts.

Greed is currently streaming on Classix.

It is also possible to buy Greed on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store and YouTube.