The Greatest Question (1919)

Synopsis: Sweet young Nellie (Lillian Gish) witnessed a murder as a child but can only recall it hazily. Orphaned, she is taken in by some hard-working neighbors, the Hiltons, who put her to work at the... Sweet young Nellie (Lillian Gish) witnessed a murder as a child but can only recall it hazily. Orphaned, she is taken in by some hard-working neighbors, the Hiltons, who put her to work at the house of some other neighbors, the Cains, to pay for her keep. The Hiltons are good folk, and Nellie falls in love with their younger son (Robert Harron). The Cains, however, are not so nice; Mr. Cain (George Nichols) attacks Nellie while the Hiltons are off visiting the tomb of their eldest boy, slain in World War I (Ralph Graves). The attack jars Nellie into recalling the killer's identity. Meanwhile, over at the cemetery, the family sees their son's ghost appear, with a very important message... For this unique film director D.W. Griffith combines his usual florid melodramatics with supernatural and psychological themes, both hot topics at the time this film was made (The "greatest question" of the title refers to the possibility of life after death). It's a successful, entertaining combination, helped by the excellent performances from Miss Gish and company, and imaginative camerawork from longtime Griffith associate Billy Bitzer. [More]

Starring: Josephine Crowell, Lillian Gish, George Nichols

Starring: Josephine Crowell, Lillian Gish, George Nichols

Director: D.W. Griffith

Director: D.W. Griffith

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