Hawthorne of the U.S.A.

I watched this last night. Wallace Reid was a major star back in the silent era.

This fun film has him winning a big pile of loot at Monte Carlo, then heading home with a buddy by motor car.

They stop over in some Baltic type town where revolutionaries are plotting the overthrow of a meek and mild king. Semi-gullible Wallace Reid decides to finance their revolt.

He meets the King's daughter and falls in love.

There's some amusing give and take between all the characters.

Reid and his traveling buddy introduce the locals to American slang and ideas.

The story takes it various turns and everyone comes out happy.

This film is pleasant stuff. No big deal. A nice lil' film that doesn't look quite as old as it is.

The print I saw had tinted scenes from beginning to end; red, green, blue, etc..according to mood of the scene.

The print I was seeing was fine - an 8 plus on a 1 - 10 scale.

I was surprised to see a black jazz band and singer in the film. 1919 is early times for jazz on film.

Wallace Reid was a pleasant looking dude...very American....he does a few physical stunts - kind of a combination of Douglas Fairbanks and Harold LLoyd.

Anthony Hamilton Hawthorne hits it big in Monte Carlo, winning two million francs. Along with his pal Blake, he gets involved with revolutionaries who want to take over a kingdom - peacefully, or so he thinks. In fact, the rebels want to assassinate the King. Hawthorne falls for the King's daughter, not realizing who she is. Hawthorne is wrongfully arrested for an attempt on the King's life. All works out well in the end, however, as Hawthorne gets the girl and the kingdom is saved.

His is a pleasant little comedy/adventure, with Reid charming and Lila Lee (as the King's daughter) very lovely. Cigar-chomping and blustery Theodore Roberts has a nice bit as a U. S. Senator visiting the kingdom, who tries to help Hawthorne.

Probably the most amusing sequences occur at the end, when the kingdom is turned into a swinging place where everyone speaks American slang.