The Greatest Question

The Greatest Question

Robert Harron and Lillian Gish
Directed by D. W. Griffith
Produced by D. W. Griffith
Written by Stanner E.V. Taylor
Based on A novel
by William Hale
Starring
Music by Albert Pesce
Cinematography G. W. Bitzer
Edited by James Smith
Distributed by First National Pictures
Release dates
  • December 28, 1919 (1919-12-28)
Running time
 80 minutes
Country United States
Language Silent (English intertitles)
The Greatest Question

The Greatest Question is a 1919 American drama film directed by D. W. Griffith.[1][2] Based upon a novel by William Hale, the film has a plot involving spiritualism.

Plot

As described in a film magazine,[3] Nellie Jarvis (Gish), daughter of a wandering couple, when very young witnesses the murder of a woman by a man and his wife. Years later, "Little Miss Yes'm," as Nellie is known, returns to the scene of the crime as an orphan. Mr. Hilton (Fawcett) and his wife (Besserer), though poverty stricken, take her into their family. Finding the Hiltons are in financial straits, she goes to a nearby farmhouse and gets employment from Martin Cain (Nichols) and his wife (Crowell). Here she is prosecuted, beaten and tormented. The farmer seeks to assault her and she recognizes in him the man who murdered the woman years before. In the meantime, Mrs. Hilton has appealed to her dead son and God to relieve the family from poverty. The spirit of the dead son returns and on the following day oil is found on the land. Jimmie Hilton (Harron), Little Miss Yes'm's sweetheart, rushes to the Cain's to get her. He reaches her in time to save her from torture by the depraved Cains. The Hiltons become wealthy and there is a happy ending.

Cast

References

  1. ↑ "Progressive Silent Film List: The Greatest Question". Silent Era. Retrieved 2009-04-30.
  2. ↑ The AFI Catalog of Feature Films: The Greatest Question
  3. ↑ "Reviews: The Greatest Question". Exhibitors Herald. New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company. 10 (11): 57. March 13, 1920.
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