The Past of Mary Holmes plot
"A DRAMA OF YOUNG LOVE...SMOTHERED BY A MOTHER'S LOVE!"
Mary Holmes was once a famous opera star under the stage name Maria di Nardi but today lives as an eccentric alcoholic. Mary hates her adult son Geoffrey, whose birth she blames for the deterioration of her singing voice, and therefore shows him no maternal affection. However, when promising commercial artist Geoffrey tells Mary that he is engaged to local actress Joan Hoyt, she reacts with jealous resentment and announces her intention to reveal Geoffrey's illegitimate birth to Joan.