The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-03-20
His Majesty the American, "and
"1he Copperhead Here Next Week
Douglass Fairbanks and Lionel Barrymore Stars
auctions at RalO Next

sound the keynote Of Americanism
are the offerings next week at the
Rialto. Douglas Fairbanks in his
first eight-reel superproduction, His
Majesty the American" which is, in
cidentally, his latest achievement,
will open the week, starting tomor.
row on four days run. 1.-The Cop
perhead, starring that master ira
gedlan, Lionel Barrymore, will have
a run Of three days, beginning next
Thursday. THE Copperhead" was a
dramatic sensation on the speaking
stage when Barrymore played the
lead and is from the pen of Augustus
Thomas. 1t is recognized as the
greatest of all American plays,
One can hardly imagine that the
acrobatic Douglas could keep up his
agility without duplication in an
elght-reel production. Every lover
OF this comedian has cried for more
OF the Fairbanks prowess in a real
big picture. In His Majesty the
American" he has given a little of
everything. 1t is almost like taking
a trip around the world, for the ac-
ton starts in New York and passes
on to Old Mexico and ends in an
other foreign land. 1t seems that
Douglas is an imaginative and rest
less youth in the metropolis of New
YORK. The traffic rules chafe and
keep him continually restrained. His
getaway starts the picture off with
a bang and brings the fun to the top
Immediately.
Hops to Mexico.
Hopping off to Mexico gave prom
Use of livelier things than liz old New
York, and it isn't long before Doug"
is embroiled in the chief disturbances
that sweep over Carranza's tempes-
tuous domain. Not satisfied with
this, he jumps into a foreign land
where he meets a crowd of bewhis-
Kered conspirators who have planned
TO do damage to his own United States
ana there he completes his wild OBJ
Jective, bringing the picture to a
knockout climax.
When Mit goes home to announce
his determination to his wife, he finds
that Abraham Lincoln has stopped
there for drink. His wife protests
against enlistment, whereupon Lincoln
urges that it is Milt's duty to remain
at home to which he reluctantly agrees.
Fifteen years later, the town is again
in turmoil over the outbreak of the
Civil war. Capt. Hardy is again seek
ing recruits, and it is apparent that
there are numerous southern sympa-
thizers in the town. Lem Toiiard is
suspected of having southern leanings
and he is heckled by the Unionists.
Milt Shanks is about to enlist when he
Is handed letter from President Lin
coin asking him to go to Washington
and see him. Milt asks Brother An
drew to notify his wife that he has
been called out of town and starts for
Washington. He sees Lincoln and ac-
cepts dangerous mission On his re-
turn to Millville he asks Lem to get a
message down south, and shows cop
per button such as Lem carries, Mills
apparent friendship for Lem occasions
much comment among those who sus-
pect Lem of being a southern sympa-
thizer.
Meanwhile, Joey, Milt's son, is drill
ing wit hother boys, while ma is MAX
ing Union uniform, and grandma is
molding bullets for use against the
rebels. Ma Hardy asks her husband
to wear the uniform and he amazes
her by saying that he is for peace and
that the war is unjust. Capt. Hardy
appears with his men, and Milt tells
him he can't join him. He makes a
remark about Lincoln which enrages
Hardy, and they struggle. Joey, who is
to go 70 the front. When Milt goes to
the store he is reviled by the children
as a traitor He meets Brother An
drew and whispers to him that he is
ready to accept orders from him, mas
much as Lem is going to warn the reb-
els that achievements are coming and |
that he may be able to head him off. |
Open Fire.
On road near Tyler's ford Milt, |
Lem and four others are riding when a |
detachment of Yankees, among whom
Is Brother Andrew, open fire upon |
them. Several are killed, and Milt and |
Lem are taken prisoners. They are |
court martialed and sentenced to death. |
The sentence is committed to life inn |
prisonment by Lincoln, but Milt later |
c T1Oppl bpcansR of his .IOeN a |
heroism on the field of battle. Milt |
returns home, and Brother Andrew |
hands him a letter, ordering him to 60 |
to Richmond, He cautions him to be |
careful as the Copperheads would XIII |
him even after the war if they learned |
he was i'm the secret service. |
Milt and ma meet frequently, and he
appeals to her to believe in him, and |
that when she learns the truth she VIII
respect him He learns one day that |
Joey was killed at Nicksburg, and that |
his body is at the town church. Ma |
is Frustrated at the news, and when |
NIit goes to the church he is denied |
admittance and told that Joey's dying |
wish was that his father, whom he |
deemed as a traitor, should not see MIN |
in his coffin. Broken hearted. he leaves |
only to learn that his wife is dead. |
He then disappears.
Forty years later Mlt Is still avoided |
by his tuWnsmen and called jail-bird. |
At a reunion of Grand Army veterans |
the announcement is made that Lem |
Tollard has at last been pardoned. Milt |
informs Madeline, who loves Tom
Hardy grandson OF Col Tom Hardy, |
but she has troubles of her own. When |
Lem returns home, Milt meets him. |
Lem remembers the Tylers Ford incl
dent, and asserting that Milt had
caused the Yankees to surprise them, |
he shoots him. Mit sends for Col |
Hardy and tells him that Tom Hardy
and Madeline love each other.
Milt then discoses his secret which |
clears everything. He had done all he
could for his country, and had endured
the contempt OF his townsmen without
complaint because Lincoln had placed |
faith in him and his patriotism. Milt
blesses his grand daughter and her
sweetheart and. patting his faithful
dog, dies serenely. a smile of content
ment on his face.
Finest Acting.
The finest acting even seen on the
screen will be found in THE Copper
head" the earfu. cheerful and powerful
dramatic American play which con-
cudes the Rialto week. This is also an