by Walter Ferris
based on the 1924 Italian play
La Morte in Vacanza by Alberto Casella
After years of questioning why people fear him, Death takes on human form for three days so that he can mingle among mortals and find an answer. Taking temporary residence in the villa of Duke Lambert, Death falls in love with the beautiful young Grazia. The Duke begs him to give Grazia up and leave her among the living. Death is torn between seeking his own happiness or sacrificing it so that Grazia may live. After listening to the pleas of the Duke and his houseguests, Death decides to let her live and returns to his true self, a black shadow.