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The Faded Flower
Also known as Repentance in the USA
(1916) United States of America
B&W : Six reels
Directed by Ivan Abramson
Cast: Marguerite Snow [Lillian Hill], Rose Coghlan [Mary Hill], Arthur Donaldson [Wilbur Mason], Alma Hanlon [Anne], Edward MacKay [Henry Parker]
Ivan Film Productions, Incorporated, production; distributed on State Rights basis by Ivan Film Productions, Incorporated. / Produced by Ivan Abramson. From a screen story by Ivan Abramson. Cinematography by Marcel A. Le Picard and William Abramson. / © 26 July 1916 by Ivan Film Productions, Incorporated [LU8786]. Released 10 July 1916. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / Working title: The Passion Flower. The film was rereleased in the USA by Chadwick Pictures Corporation in 1920. The film was rereleased as Repentance by Merit Film Corporation.
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Elderly millionaire widower Wilbur Mason, father of only child Anne, proposes to his stenographer Lillian Hill, who accepts him because he declares that he will devote his fortune to restoring her blind mother’s sight. In the presence of struggling playwright Henry Parker, Lillian introduces Mason to her mother as her future husband. Parker, who thinks himself in love with Lillian, imagines that his heart is broken. After the Masons’ honeymoon, Mason engaged a renowned specialist whose operation on Mrs. Hill is unsuccessful. Lillian now sadly realizes that her sacrifice was in vain and becomes cold towards Mason. Two years later Lillian and Anne meet Parker, of whose great success they have read. Parker and Anne fall in love; at Anne’s suggestion, Lillian invites him to call on them. He does, hoping to see Anne, but finds Lillian alone. She gives him a rose from among those Mason plucked for her that morning because he knew she loved them. Mason, unseen, sees this gesture and concludes that Lillian’s love for Parker is the cause of her indifference toward him. His jealous rage becomes ungovernable and he makes his presence known and orders Parker from the house after tearing from the latter’s coat the rose Lillian gave him. Mason thereafter repeatedly charges Lillian with being false to him and in love with Parker. Parker meeting Anne, accompanies her to the gateway of her home, where she leaves him. Mason discovering him there alone believes that Parker has clandestinely met Lillian, whom he later upbraids, again thrusting the rose before her. Lillian, as the result of Mason’s accusations, becomes grief stricken and ill. Despondent she leaves her husband’s home and returns to her mother where she fades like roses in the autumn winds. Mrs. Hill, fearing for her daughter’s life, goes to Mason who is moved by her heart-broken and anguished appeal. He accompanies her, repentant and remorseful, to Lillian’s bedside which he reaches in time to receive with her expiring breath the pardon for which he pleads and to hear the doctor pronounce her dead. Crazed with sorrow, scarcely hearing the doctor's words, Mason is about to lift the coverlet from Lillian’s face when he is stricken with paralysis. Later at his home he weeps in secret at sight of the now-faded rose which to him has become a symbol of Lillian. Repenting his mistake, he bids Anne send for Parker and consents to their marriage. Troubled by his conscience, Mason’s overwhelming woe permits him no rest, and he goes at dead of night to Lillian’s burial place, carrying with him roses which in life she so dearly loved, which he tenderly places over her dust. “Lillian, my faded flower,” he cries, “you died a martyr to my unfounded jealousy. May your soul find peace in the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 24 November 2024.
References: Website-AFI; Website-IMDb.
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