Hawthorne of the U.S.A.
"The American who broke the bank at Monte Carlo and a kingdom in Bovinia!"
Plot
Anthony Hamilton Hawthorne, a brash and modern American law clerk, breaks the bank at a Monte Carlo casino and sets off on a European road trip with his friend Rodney Blake. While speeding through the impoverished kingdom of Bovinia, Hawthorne's cap is blown off, leading him to meet a beautiful woman named Irma whom he immediately falls for. Unaware that she is actually Princess Irma, Hawthorne is manipulated by revolutionary conspirators into financing a coup against the monarchy using his gambling winnings. Upon discovering that the revolution targets Irma's father, King Augustus III, Hawthorne switches sides, uses his American ingenuity to modernize the kingdom's economy, and successfully foils the assassination plot. The film concludes with Hawthorne establishing a republican form of government and winning the hand of the Princess.
About the Production
The film was an adaptation of the 1912 Broadway play by James B. Fagan, which originally starred Douglas Fairbanks. Director James Cruze, known for his efficiency and later for 'The Covered Wagon' (1923), utilized a fast-paced shooting schedule typical of the Wallace Reid 'speed' pictures. The production was part of the Paramount-Artcraft line, which represented the studio's high-end prestige releases. Famous Players-Lasky utilized their contract stars Wallace Reid and Lila Lee to capitalize on their immense popularity as a romantic screen duo.
Historical Background
Released just after the end of World War I, the film reflects a period of American triumphalism and isolationism. The depiction of a 'backward' European kingdom being 'saved' by American money and ideas mirrored the real-world sentiment of the United States emerging as a global creditor and moral leader. The 1919 setting also coincided with the Red Scare in America, which is subtly referenced through the villainous, 'comrade-spouting' revolutionaries led by Colonel Radulski.
Why This Film Matters
The film is a primary example of the 'Ruritanian' adventure genre that was highly popular in the early 20th century. It helped solidify Wallace Reid's image as the quintessential 'all-American boy'—athletic, wealthy, and slightly arrogant but ultimately heroic. Historically, it serves as a record of the transition in Hollywood from short films to feature-length 'star vehicles' designed to showcase specific personality types.
Making Of
During the production, Wallace Reid was already struggling with the early stages of the morphine addiction that would eventually claim his life; the addiction began after he was injured in a train wreck while filming 'The Valley of the Giants' earlier in 1919. Despite his private struggles, Reid maintained a high-energy performance on set, performing many of his own driving stunts. Director James Cruze focused on the 'Ruritanian' romance elements, a popular subgenre of the time involving intrigue in fictional Central European kingdoms. The chemistry between Reid and Lila Lee was so successful that they were paired in several other films by the studio.
Visual Style
The film was shot by Frank Urson, William Marshall, and Charles Schoenbaum. It features standard classical Hollywood lighting of the late 1910s, with a focus on clear narrative storytelling and 'star lighting' for Reid and Lee. Notable are the outdoor driving sequences which were a staple of Reid's 'auto-thriller' brand.
Innovations
The film is noted by film historians for its sophisticated use of intertitles; approximately 80% of the titles are dialogue-based rather than expository, a high ratio for 1919 that moved the medium closer to the 'talkies' of the future. It also utilized seamless editing to blend Hollywood studio sets with second-unit footage of Monte Carlo.
Music
As a silent film, it had no recorded soundtrack. Original screenings would have been accompanied by a live piano or organ score, often utilizing popular 'travelogue' or 'adventure' themes of the day.
Famous Quotes
Anthony Hawthorne: 'In America, we don't bow to kings; we just break their banks.'
Rodney Blake: 'Tony, you're going to get us killed or married, and I'm not sure which is worse in this country!'
Memorable Scenes
- The Monte Carlo sequence where Hawthorne 'breaks the bank,' causing a sensation among the European elite.
- The 'Hat Scene' where Hawthorne leaps over a wall to retrieve his blown-off cap and encounters Princess Irma for the first time.
- The climax where Hawthorne uses his car to outrun the revolutionaries and save the King from assassination.
Did You Know?
- The role of Hawthorne was originally played on Broadway by Douglas Fairbanks in 1912.
- Harrison Ford, who plays Rodney Blake, is no relation to the later 'Star Wars' actor of the same name.
- The fictional country 'Bovinia' was a play on the word 'bovine,' reflecting the American protagonist's dismissive view of the rural kingdom.
- Wallace Reid was at the height of his 'King of Paramount' status during this production, known for his 'good-natured American' persona.
- Charles Ogle, who plays Colonel Radulski, was famous for being the first actor to play Frankenstein's monster on screen in 1910.
- The film is one of the few surviving features of Wallace Reid, whose career was cut short by a tragic drug addiction and early death in 1923.
- The film features an early example of the 'Ugly American' trope, where the protagonist views European traditions with open mockery.
- Lila Lee was only 18 years old during the filming, having been discovered by Gus Edwards as a child performer.
What Critics Said
At the time of its release, 'Exhibitors Herald' and 'Variety' praised the film for its humor and Reid's charismatic performance, though some critics noted the plot was somewhat formulaic. Modern critics, such as those at 'Movies Silently,' have been more critical of the protagonist's xenophobic attitudes and 'smug' demeanor, viewing it as a fascinating but occasionally uncomfortable artifact of early 20th-century American ego.
What Audiences Thought
The film was a major commercial success, ranking among the highest-grossing films of 1919. Audiences of the era flocked to see Wallace Reid in high-speed automobiles and romantic situations, cementing his status as one of the top three male stars in Hollywood alongside Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- The Prisoner of Zenda (Novel/Play)
- Douglas Fairbanks' stage persona
- Early 20th-century travelogues
This Film Influenced
- The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg (1927)
- Roman Holiday (1953) - (Inverted themes of royalty and commoners)
- The Great Race (1965)
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Film Restoration
Preserved. A 35mm nitrate print is held in the Library of Congress (American Film Institute Collection).