The Eternal Mother
Cast & Crew
William Davis
Florence Reed
Lionel Atwill
Jere Austin
Gareth Hughes
Robert Broderick
Film Details
Synopsis
Shortly before her marriage to Howard Hollister, socialite Laura West meets Stephen Rhodes, who introduces her to the cult of the East Indian goddess Gaia - the personification of Nature, the Eternal Mother. Though Laura is fascinated, she shies away from Rhodes's efforts to initiate her and make her his earthly personification of Gaia. Laura and Howard marry, and they spend happy newlywed days, but Laura's continued interest in Gaia and frequent daydreams of herself leading the cult upset Howard, who angrily urges Laura to return to reality and her work in the tenement slums. Falling asleep after their quarrel, Laura dreams that she becomes queen of the cult - richly adorned and ardently worshipped. She comes to realize that Rhodes's purpose is his own sensual gratification and decides that life is no longer worth living. Rhodes's attempts against the life of her child cause Laura to awaken, screaming. After she awakens, Howard comforts Laura, who assures him that her only desires are motherhood and his love.
Director
William Davis
Film Details
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
After the demise of United Picture Theaters, Pioneer Film Corp. acquired the film and copyrighted it in 1921. The film is listed in the AFI Catalog of Feature Films, 1921-30; F2.1552.
