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Photograph: Silent Era image collection.
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The Obsession
(1912) United States of America
B&W : One reel
Directed by [?] Robert Goodman?
Cast: Edward Smith (Gunboat Smith)
G. Méliès production; distributed by [?] The General Film Company, Incorproated? / Produced by Gaston Méliès. / Released 5 September 1912. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama.
Synopsis: [From Méliès promotional materials] Lee surreptitiously breaks his engagement with Dorothy, whose deepest and first affections he had been honored with, and marries Jesse. The shock leads Dorothy to attempt to end her life, and, failing this, to become a nun. Lee is remorseful from the day of his marriage and even on his honeymoon is obsessed by the presence of her whom he had wronged, and haunted by his conscience he becomes insane, and not till Dorothy is called as nurse and gives complete forgiveness is reason restored and happiness resumed. // [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Lee, after winning Dorothy’s affections, breaks his engagement and marries Jessie. Heartbroken, she arrives too late at the church to induce him to right the wrong, or to catch more than a parting glimpse of Lee and his bride as they drive away to the wedding supper. Going to the pier, she takes a long, last look at Lee as the steamer taking them on their honeymoon recedes from view. Discouraged, she would end it all, and is about to jump off the cliff into the sea, when she is persuaded by the gardener of the convent not to sacrifice her life, but to devote it to good works. She thus becomes a sister of mercy, but Lee cannot forget the look of anguish on her face as he gazed upon her from the receding boat. Wherever he goes he is obsessed by her presence and haunted by his conscience. It at last so preys upon his mind that, seeing her spirit once more, he cast himself into the sea. A sailor rescues him and he is taken home, where the doctor, seeing his dangerous condition, sends to the convent for a nurse. Dorothy, not knowing who it is, answers the call. Lee is stricken with fresh fear at seeing her, but is at last persuaded that she is no spirit, and Dorothy’s generous forgiveness effects his cure.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 28 July 2024.
References: Thompson-Star p. 232 : ClasIm-226 p. 55 : Website-IMDb.
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