Years pass and Charles and Kitty become engaged. She manages to obtain a position as his assistant, hoping he will recognize her. One day she sees a photo of Smithy in a newspaper, touting his accomplishments as Charles Rainier, the "Industrial Prince of England". Losing her son in infancy, Paula returns to the business world as a secretary. As the years pass she becomes infatuated with her "uncle."ĭuring those years, Paula has conducted an unsuccessful search for Smithy. One of those who welcome him home is Kitty, step-daughter of one of Charles' siblings. He toys with the idea of returning to university to resume his studies which were interrupted by the war, but doesn't make it back. His siblings are amazed, and some not all that pleased, since he inherits a goodly portion of his late father's estate.Ĭharles yearns for a life of scholarship, but the family's business needs him and he puts off his own desires to rescue the family fortune. He returns home to learn of his father's death, and takes his place in the household again. "Smith" is in fact Charles Rainier, son of a wealthy businessman. He now remembers who he was, but has no recollection of Paula and the idyllic life he shared with her. To him, he is still in France and the war is still raging. He awakens in a chemists shop, and is astonished to learn that he has lost three years of his life. In Liverpool "Smithy" is struck by a taxi while crossing the street. Smith gets an offer from a newspaper in Liverpool to come for an interview and he leaves his wife, Paula (pregnant at the time) for the day trip into the city. He discovers a literary talent and takes to writing stories for a living and they share a blissful existence together. After an incident that could result in his being returned to the hospital, Paula takes Smith away to a secluded country village where they marry and set up house. After she discovers he has left the hospital, but is perfectly fine except for his memory loss, she realizes he will never get well surrounded by impersonal surroundings at "the asylum." She arranges for him to join her travelling theatrical group. In town he is befriended by Paula, a kindly showgirl, who takes him under her wing. Out for an evening walk in the foggy grounds, Smith simply wanders off. When the war ends, jubiliation reigns in Melbridge, the town near the hospital, and the gatekeepers abandon their posts to celebrate. He has lost his memory, and is bitterly disappointed when a couple looking for their missing son says he is not theirs. "John Smith" is a solider who was gassed and shellshocked in the trenches and is at an English hospital. The film opens during the closing days of World War I. Spoiler warning: Plot or ending details follow.
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