Neil Hamilton is a World War One veteran, just released from service, expecting to be dead in six months, hitch-hiking his way around the country before he goes. He gets a lift from Betty Furness and is struck by her beauty. He follows her to a small community, but she is gone. Hobart Bosworth, a dying beekeeper takes him in and with his ward, Edith Fellowes, and housekeeper, Emma Dunn, Hamilton finds contentment.
Then Miss Furness reappears and asks him to marry her; she needs 'the protection of a husband's name." Since he expects to leave her a widow, he does so, and she promptly vanishes again. But with the bees and the kindness of those around him, Hamilton finds renewed health. He is not going to die. He begins to wonder about Miss Furness. What will happen if she wants to get married and he is not dead?
It's based on a Gene Stratton-Porter novel, with that author's love of a simple and natural life. It also does not try to hide the immense complexity and emotions of a novel. Director Christy Cabanne directs his performers to a quietness, in words and movement. He lets the audience infer that rich, inner life that movies often have so much difficulty portraying, instead of having them chew the canvas. It works.
Then Miss Furness reappears and asks him to marry her; she needs 'the protection of a husband's name." Since he expects to leave her a widow, he does so, and she promptly vanishes again. But with the bees and the kindness of those around him, Hamilton finds renewed health. He is not going to die. He begins to wonder about Miss Furness. What will happen if she wants to get married and he is not dead?
It's based on a Gene Stratton-Porter novel, with that author's love of a simple and natural life. It also does not try to hide the immense complexity and emotions of a novel. Director Christy Cabanne directs his performers to a quietness, in words and movement. He lets the audience infer that rich, inner life that movies often have so much difficulty portraying, instead of having them chew the canvas. It works.