at home and old carpenter w. chrystie miller wife claire mcdowell be in fail health . at work and mr. miller find himself push aside for young and more agile and hand . fire and the age miller find it impossible to find a new job . when his money run out and miller be unable to support his ill and starve wife while desperate and he turn to crime . director d. w. griffith use film to ask the legitimate social question and what shall we do with our old . miller be fine a the man whose crime be get old . mcdowell be not old and but suggest it with some success . the always great biograph team be highlight by donald crisp and perform very well in court while he be the expressive bailiff in the foreground and to the left of your screen . mr. crisp be clear while the conclusion be not so much . what shall we do with our old . ( 2/13/11 ) d. w. griffith ~ w. chrystie miller and claire mcdowell and donald crisp .