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 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 |
| Music by | David Memes |
| Cinematography | James Van Trees |
| Edited by | Owen Marks |
Production company | Warner Bros. |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
Release date |
|
Running time | 70 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English French |
| Budget | $345,000[1] |
| Box office | $586,000[1] |
Plot summary
The story depicts Hamilton's (George Arliss) efforts to pass the "Assumption Bill", which required the federal government to assume the debts incurred by the thirteen rebel colonies during the American Revolutionary War, and his agreement to a compromise by passage of the Residence Bill establishing the national capital.[3]
Cast
- 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
For the roles of Jefferson and Monroe, Arliss cast two character actors who had built reputations for playing villainous parts.[4]
Box office
According to Warner Bros the film earned $453,000 domestically and $133,000 foreign.[1]
Bibliography
- Robert M. Fells, George Arliss: The Man Who Played God (Scarecrow Press, 2004)
References
- Warner Bros financial information in The William Shaefer 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.
- https://www.allmovie.com/movie/alexander-hamilton-v83371
- Fells, p. 106
External links
- Alexander Hamilton on IMDb
- Alexander Hamilton at the TCM Movie Database
- Alexander Hamilton at AllMovie
- Alexander Hamilton at the American Film Institute Catalog1893-1993