Representations of Nineteenth Century Mormonism in A Mormon Maid: A Cinematic Analysis

Authors

Elisabeth Weagel, Independent ScholarFollow

Abstract

During the first quarter of the 20th century there was a trend in Hollywood to make films about Mormons. Practices such as polygamy created just the kind of sensationalism that attracted filmmakers (even Thomas Edison contributed with his 1902 film A Trip to Salt Lake). Many of these were B-pictures, but the 1917 film A Mormon Maid stands out because it was produced by a major production company (Paramount) and was backed by top director Cecil B. DeMille. It is often given passing reference, but very little genuine scholarship has been done on the film. A hundred years after its release, A Mormon Maid is remembered in name only. This paper is an in-depth analysis of the text as a reflection of and influence on the way the Mormon faith was perceived in the early twentieth century.

Recommended Citation

Weagel, Elisabeth (2018) "Representations of Nineteenth Century Mormonism in A Mormon Maid: A Cinematic Analysis," Journal of Religion & Film: Vol. 22: Iss. 3, Article 4.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/jrf/vol22/iss3/4