Alexander Hamilton is a 1931 American pre-Code biographical film about Alexander Hamilton, produced and distributed by Warner Bros. and based on the 1917 play Hamilton by George Arliss and Mary Hamlin. It was directed by John G. Adolfi and stars Arliss in the title role. It follows the attempts of Hamilton to establish a new financial structure for the United States following the Confederation Period and the establishment of a new Constitution in 1787. It is preserved at the Library of Congress.[2]
| Alexander Hamilton | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | John G. Adolfi |
| Written by | Julien Josephson Maude T. Howell |
| Based on | Hamilton by George Arliss Mary Hamlin |
| Starring | George Arliss Doris Kenyon Dudley Digges June Collyer |
| Cinematography | James Van Trees |
| Edited by | Owen Marks |
| Music by | David Memes |
Production company | Warner Bros. |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
Release date |
|
Running time | 70 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Languages | English French |
| Budget | $345,000[1] |
| Box office | $586,000[1] |
Plot
editThis article needs an improved plot summary. (October 2019) |
Alexander Hamilton attempts to pass the Assumption Bill, which required the federal government to assume the debts incurred by the 13 rebel colonies during the American Revolutionary War and his agreement to a compromise passage of the Residence Bill, which established the national capital.[3]
Cast
edit- George Arliss as Alexander Hamilton
- Doris Kenyon as Mrs. Betsey Hamilton
- Dudley Digges as Senator Timothy Roberts
- June Collyer as Mrs. Maria Reynolds
- Montagu Love as Thomas Jefferson
- Ralf Harolde as James Reynolds
- Lionel Belmore as General Philip Schuyler
- Alan Mowbray as George Washington
- John T. Murray as Count Talleyrand
- Morgan Wallace as James Monroe
- John Larkin as Zekial
- Charles Middleton as Townsman (uncredited)
Production
editAt the time of the events depicted, Hamilton was in his 30s (in the opening sequence he is still in his 20s). He is portrayed by George Arliss, then in his 60s. For the roles of Jefferson and Monroe, Arliss cast two character actors who had built reputations for playing villainous parts.[4] Dudley Digges plays the villainous and entirely fictitious character Senator Roberts.
Box office
editAccording to Warner Bros., the film earned $453,000 in the U.S. and $133,000 in other markets.[1]
Bibliography
edit- Robert M. Fells, George Arliss: The Man Who Played God (Scarecrow Press, 2004)
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Warner Bros financial information in The William Schaefer Ledger. See Appendix 1, Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, (1995) 15:sup1, 1-31 p 13 DOI: 10.1080/01439689508604551
- ^ Catalog of Holdings The American Film Institute Collection and The United Artists Collection at The Library of Congress. The American Film Institute. c. 1978. p. 3.
- ^ Alexander Hamilton (1931) - John G. Adolfi, John G. Adolphi | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related | AllMovie
- ^ Fells, p. 106
External links
edit- Alexander Hamilton at IMDb
- Alexander Hamilton at the TCM Movie Database
- Alexander Hamilton at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films1893-1993
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