Alexander Hamilton (film)

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 byJohn G. Adolfi
Written byJulien Josephson
Maude T. Howell
Based onHamilton
by George Arliss
Mary Hamlin
StarringGeorge Arliss
Doris Kenyon
Dudley Digges
June Collyer
CinematographyJames Van Trees
Edited byOwen Marks
Music byDavid Memes
Production
company
Warner Bros.
Distributed byWarner Bros.
Release date
  • September 12, 1931 (1931-09-12)
Running time
70 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguagesEnglish
French
Budget$345,000[1]
Box office$586,000[1]

Plot

edit

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

Production

edit

At 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

edit

According 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

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ 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
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ Alexander Hamilton (1931) - John G. Adolfi, John G. Adolphi | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related | AllMovie
  4. ^ Fells, p. 106
edit