The Americano

In the days before the Great War (aka World War) I), in the Caribbean Sea, the tiny nation of Paragonia nestled. Soon, the "jewel set in the girdle of the earth" would need All-American Douglas Fairbanks to settle unrest.

In the spring of 1910, a New York mining company's contract with the Republic comes up for renewal. Paragonia's "Minister of War" Carl Stockdale (as Salsa Espada) is alone in opposing the renewal; he thinks Americans are "pigs", and wants to rule the Republic. President Spottiswoode Aiken (as Hernando de Valdez) and Premier Tote du Crow (as Alberto de Castille) have their way, and the contract is signed. Meanwhile, Mr. Aiken's comely daughter Alma Rubens (as Juana de Valdez) attracts suitors like Charles Stevens (as Colonel Gargaras).

In New York City, young mining engineer Douglas Fairbanks (as "The Americano") is offered a job in Paragonia. At first, Fairbanks refuses ("Too far from Brooklyn!") -- but, when he sees fetching Ms. Rubens visiting the American Mining Company office, he is smitten. Upon arrival, Fairbanks finds the dictatorial Mr. Stockdale has taken over the country, and thrown its popular president in prison. Moreover, Rubens is being forced into an unhappy marriage…

This was the last, and not the best, of the Fairbanks "Triangle" films supervised by D.W. Griffith. The acclaimed director's influence can be seen occasionally, in the film's relatively elaborate structure, and characterizations. For example, Reubens is introduced petting a bird. And, while it wasn't only Griffith who employed offensive black-faced characters like Tom Wilson (as Harold Armitage "Whitey" White), he created this role for Wilson (who pets his lucky rabbit's foot). The Mexican locale is a highlight.

*** The Americano (12/24/16) John Emerson, D.W. Griffith ~ Douglas Fairbanks, Alma Rubens, Carl Stockdale