A Message from Beyond - Production & Contact Info (original) (raw)

Brought up in the lap of luxury and indulged in extravagance, Jack Morrison is gradually led into a life of ease and idleness, from which his father tries to arouse and induce him to interest himself in the large steel business, of which ...See moreBrought up in the lap of luxury and indulged in extravagance, Jack Morrison is gradually led into a life of ease and idleness, from which his father tries to arouse and induce him to interest himself in the large steel business, of which he is the head. Jack refuses to go to work: his father disowns him and tells him to leave the house. Jack's mother is heartbroken, and before her son leaves, gives him a rose, which is her favorite flower, and tells him whenever he is led into temptation to remember her parting words and the rose, indicative of her love. Thrown upon his own resources, he throws himself into a course of dissipation which soon brings him to disgrace and degradation. It is not long before he is entirely lost sight of, and his mother mourns him for dead, until heart-broken, she grieves herself to death. The wayward boy, unconscious of his mother having passed away, with a faint spark of conscience left, sees a vision of her and is prompted from time to time to write to her, but gives up in despair. Accidentally he reads a notice in a newspaper of his mother's death. He decides to go to his father. He is refused assistance by his father, who seems to be more embittered against him than ever. Jack longs for a look at the old home and the happy associations of his childhood. At night he enters his father's house, where he is confronted by a large portrait of his mother, and a vase of her favorite flowers standing on the mantle near it. He is overcome with remorse and sorrow. At this moment, his father, who has retired, hears him, comes down to the room, pistol in hand, and commands his son, whom he does not recognize, to throw up his hands. Jack makes himself known and pleads with his father, pointing to his mother's picture. His contrition strikes a tender chord in the heart of his father, and his love for his wife, the mother of his boy, reminding him that while he is not responsible for his son's deeds, he is responsible for his existence. With an outburst of uncontrollable grief, he clasps his son to his bosom and forgives him, while the boy promises to make amends for the past. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less