Silent Film of the Month: 100% American (1918)

 

Run Time: 14 minutes. Studio: Paramount.  Director: Arthur Rosson. Cinematographers: Hugh McClung, Glen MacWilliams. Main Cast: Mary Pickford, Loretta Blake, Monte Blue, Henry Bergman, Ted Reed.

I feel that for July since we celebrate America's birth this month, it feels natural for the silent film of the month to be a patriotic film. So today we are going to look at a short film made to help sell Liberty Loan bonds for World War 1, called 100% American. 

This is not the only film made to sell these bonds. Hollywood supported the war effort strongly, and made many short films to help sell bonds. It was very common for these shorts to star some of Hollywood's biggest names. This film stars America's Sweetheart, Mary Pickford, who was declared the country's favorite star in 1918 the year this film was made. Pickford was especially strongly in support of the war effort, and was glad to be in this film.

This film was directed by Arthur Rosson. He is best known today for be the co-director of Red River (Howard Hawks was the other director). He was also a unit director on Cecil B. Demille's The Ten Commandments (the 1956 version). Most of his career was spent directing westerns such as Boots of Destiny, Trailin' Trouble,  The Burning Trail and Taming The West.

In this film Mayme (played by Mary Pickford) tries to contribute to the war effort in any way she can. She gives up more expensive things to save money for bonds. There is a ball held for Patriotic Americans. Mayme friend (played by Loretta Blake) is sad she can't go because she doesn't have any bonds. Mayme gives her friend her own bonds. This film ends with a more surreal scene, similar to one in Charlie Chaplin's The Bond against a stark black background. In this scene Mayme defeats the Kaiser with a baseball (representing Liberty Bonds).

With the simplicity of the plot this films hangs heavily on Mary Pickford, and luckily it succeeds  fantastically on that account. Mary Pickford is extremely likable as always. She exerts a greatly addicting energy. Her character can even talk directly to the audience (through intertitles) without losing a sense of her reality. Mary brings great energy, likability, humor and just plain fun to this film. It is certain that without Mary Pickford's performance this would be a well made film, but one with not much interest outside of the most dedicated film buffs and history buffs. However thanks to her this film is not only well made but remains a great piece of entertainment today. 

At this time Mary Pickford also was performing live for many bond rallies, and for U.S. troops overseas. She would tour with such big stars as Charlie Chaplin, Marie Dressler, and her future husband Douglas Fairbanks. Mary became quite popular in her appearances for the U.S. military. She became known as the Navy's little sister. The 143rd California Field Artillery would make her an honorary colonel. There exists newsreel footage of Colonel Mary Pickford leading her troops. She would also provide many soldiers with tobacco and candy, two luxuries they did not have much of over there. 100% American is a great example of Mary Pickford's patriotism on full display, and a must watch for fans of America's Sweetheart.

Recourses Used

 http://www.jbkaufman.com/movie-of-the-month/100-american-1918

http://www.silentsaregolden.com/articles/pickfordandww1.html

-Michael J. Ruhland