Sons of Liberty (1939)

Set during the American Revolution, this colorful 2 reel short tells the story of Haym Salomon, American patriot and financier of the American Revolution.

Director:

Michael Curtiz

Writer:

Crane Wilbur (original screenplay)

Stars:

Claude Rains, Gale Sondergaard, Donald Crisp

Won 1 Oscar.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Claude Rains	...	Haym Salomon
Gale Sondergaard	...	Rachel Salomon
Donald Crisp	...	Alexander McDougall
Montagu Love	...	George Washington
Henry O'Neill	...	Member of Continental Congress
James Stephenson	...	Colonel Tillman

Storyline

Set during the American Revolution, this colorful 2 reel short tells the story of Haym Salomon, American patriot and financier of the American Revolution.

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Plot Keywords:

american revolution | jewish | british | patriotism | 1770s | 

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Genres:

Short | Biography | Drama | History

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 May 1939 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros

Technical Specs

Runtime:

20 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Vitaphone release # 9195-9196.

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Soundtracks

"America"
aka "My Country 'tis of Thee"
Traditional
Played during the opening scene and often in the score

User Reviews

Haym Solomon 1740-1785

This fine short subject from Warner Brothers won an Academy Award as the Best Short Subject in 1939. An honor for its director Michael Curtiz who would win another Oscar for Best feature film four years later with Casablanca and one for himself as Best Director.

This film should be put in the context of the times. One of the criticisms of the Jewish movie moguls is that they did not use their influence to combat anti-Semitism in the USA. IF that was the the case the Brothers Warner redeemed themselves in a small way bringing the story of Haym Solomon to the screen, the Jewish individual among America's founding fathers.

Solomon had quite a career during the revolution as a spy and later helping to finance the American Revolution with Robert Morris. The expenses they personally signed for these two men dear in personal wealth and health. Claude Rains is a fine Haym Solomon, the part is almost a dress rehearsal for his later role in Mr. Skeffington.

I've a feeling that this might have started out as a feature film project for Paul Muni. It would have certainly been a perfect fit for him. Around this time Muni and Jack Warner were coming to a parting of the ways.

It's good short subject and kids you can actually use it as the basis of a book report.