The Warner Archive April 10, 2018 DVD release of the 1931 period-piece drama "Alexander Hamilton" is at least the second recent addition to the Archive catalog that coincides with new takes on classic stories. The reviewed "The Original Nancy Drew Movie Mystery Collection" roughly parallels with a new Drew series that should see the light of day no later than September.
To borrow (and paraphrase) a quote from the first "Lethal Weapon" film, personal satisfaction comes from Archive sharing that "Hamilton" star George Arliss brings the story of the first Treasury Secretary to life before the father of Lin-Manuel Miranda was an itch in the pants of his grandfather. In other words, creators of good works often get undue credit for being innovative.
Archive indicates as well that the film stays true to the production of Arliss and co-playwright Mary Hamlin.
"Hamilton" opens with the famous speech in which reluctant future president George Washington bids his troops farewell. This speech writing a check that the states (nee colonies) may be unwilling to cash is a primary catalyst for the rest of the film.
The action soon fast forwards several years and finds Washington ensconced in a non-oval office and Hamilton being an 18th century version of a telecommuter in his role managing the public fisc. The issues of the day include a debate that ultimately results in draining a swamp to build the permanent national capitol.
Hamilton is more preoccupied with getting Senator Thomas Jefferson and his colleagues to support a bill that requires divvying up the expense of making good on the promise in the speech by Washington. Reasonable arguments include that one state should not have to shell out dough to the soldiers of other states and that the federal government generally should not be too heavy-handed in running things.
Two events in the life of Hamilton come to have significant impact on his influence regarding this effort to spread the financial burden. Fired Treasury worker James Reynolds may have the distinction of being the first federal employee to be called out for being lazy and for putting his hand in the cookie jar.
The second development is that Hamilton spouse Betsy (Doris Kenyon) takes an extended trip to England. This departure literally and figuratively opens the door for allegedly estranged Reynolds spouse Mariah (a.k.a. Black Mariah) to arrive at Chez Hamilton late at night with a sob story and an extended hand.
Ambiguity exists regarding whether Mariah is in cahoots with James and the degree of the benefit that Alexander derives from giving her money. It is known that the presumable act of charity repeatedly comes back to bite this cabinet member in the drawers.
The threat of inquiring minds getting to know what is occurring behind the closed door of this public servant requires that Betsy, Jefferson, and the folks who determine whether the duty to pay the Revolutionary soldiers will cross state lines determine the extent to which they will stand by their man.
The cynical messages behind this are that the truly public minded often pay unduly high prices for their noble deeds and that even men (and women) of integrity have their prices.
Anyone with questions or comments regarding "Hamilton" is strongly encouraged either to email or to connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.
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