The Greatest Gift's primary photo
  • The Greatest Gift (1913)
  • Short | 22 min | Short, Drama
The Greatest Gift (1913)
Short | 22 min | Short, Drama
Doctor Beverly, an oculist, loses a large sum in a gambling house and in order to pay his debt of honor, forges the signature of his father-in-law, thus "robbing Peter to pay Paul." Remorse takes hold upon his conscience and Beverly ...See moreDoctor Beverly, an oculist, loses a large sum in a gambling house and in order to pay his debt of honor, forges the signature of his father-in-law, thus "robbing Peter to pay Paul." Remorse takes hold upon his conscience and Beverly leaving a note of farewell, goes into the gardens, where he kisses his wife and two daughters good-bye, and a few hours later he embarks upon a voyage to America. A few years later death takes the father-in-law and poverty stalks into the home where prosperity and happiness once reigned. In a foreign land Beverly, unable to obtain employment, attempts suicide. This he does by throwing himself beneath the wheels of a motor car. The catastrophe is averted, however, by Mrs. Wood, a rich American heiress, who drives the car. He is taken to her home, where he meets her father who is suffering from a supposedly incurable blindness. In the days of his rejuvenation that follow, Dr. Beverly effects the complete lure of the old millionaire. Meanwhile, Mrs. Wood begins to show great affection for the Doctor and he, knowing his position, and feeling a yearning for his family at home, leaves his benefactors and sails for his native city. In the home that he had left, where now poverty reigns, the failing eyesight of the grief-stricken mother finally results in total blindness. The two daughters now grown to womanhood, carefully save their few pennies in the hope that an operation might restore her eyesight. In his native city Dr. Beverly soon gains great fame as an oculist, operating under the name of Dr. Rodriguez. He makes an unavailing search for his family and finally gives up all hope of ever seeing them again. It was then that the two girls came to him. Beverly immediately recognized his daughters and joyfully disclosed his identity. The three conspirators then plotted to tell the mother nothing of the good news. A few weeks later the operation was performed and when the bandages were taken from her eyes, the mother found no difficulty in forgiving her wayward husband in the joy of the reunion. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less
Read more: Plot summary
Director
Giovanni Doria
Cinematographer
Nicola Zavoli
See all filmmakers & crew (2)
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Nov 28, 1913
Release date
Mar 10, 1914 (United States)

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2 cast members
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