Alexander Hamilton | |
Director: | John G. Adolfi |
Starring: | George Arliss Doris Kenyon Dudley Digges June Collyer |
Music: | David Memes |
Cinematography: | James Van Trees |
Editing: | Owen Marks |
Studio: | Warner Bros. |
Distributor: | Warner Bros. |
Runtime: | 70 minutes |
Country: | United States |
Budget: | $345,000[1] |
Gross: | $586,000 |
Language: | English French |
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 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]
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.
According to Warner Bros., the film earned $453,000 in the U.S. and $133,000 in other markets.[1]