A nun, a ghost soldier, and the worst timing in cinema history walk into 1916.
Maud and Cecil have been in love since they were children in the pre-Civil War South, but Howard, Maud's domineering brother, disapproves of a marriage between them. Instead, he has chosen English nobleman Lord Lovelace as the ideal fiancé for Maud. On the night that the engagement is to be announced, however, she elopes with Cecil. The runaways are caught, though, after which, because of her loyalty to her brother, Maud sends Cecil away. When the Civil War begins, Howard, Lovelace and Cecil all volunteer, and are all soon reported killed in action. Heartbroken, Maud decides to become a nun, and takes her vows just moments before Cecil, whose death was mistakenly reported, returns from the battlefield and comes to the convent to ask her to marry him.
Acting
Francelia Billington's face—apparently devastating even through nitrate decay.
Direction
Rupert Julian directing himself as the tragic hero. Humble king.
Director
Rupert Julian
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This is a LOST FILM—no complete prints known to exist. Rupert Julian would later direct The Phantom of the Opera (1925), so at least SOME of his suffering survives.
The 'presumed dead returns at the altar' trope was already cliché by 1916; this film is basically Victorian fanfiction with better lighting.
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