We Americans is a 1928 American silent drama film directed by Edward Sloman and starring George Sidney, Patsy Ruth Miller, and George J. Lewis. An extremely slender young Andy Devine plays an early small role as Pat O'Dougal.
Synopsis
Two young couples try to cross the mixed ethnic divide in America, something which is only resolved when World War I reveals the truth of American society's melting pot.
Cast
George Sidney as Mr. Levine
Patsy Ruth Miller as Beth Levine
George J. Lewis as Phil Levine
Eddie Phillips as Pete Albertini
Beryl Mercer as Mrs. Levine
John Boles as Hugh Bradleigh
Albert Gran as Mr. Schmidt
Michael Visaroff as Mr. Albertini
Kathlyn Williams as Mrs. Bradleigh
Edward Martindel as Mr. Bradleigh
Josephine Dunn as Helen Bradleigh
Daisy Belmore as Mrs. Schmidt
Rosita Marstini as Mrs. Albertini
Andy Devine as Pat O'Dougal
Flora Bramley as Sara Schmidt
John Bleifer as Korn
Production
Producer Carl Laemmle Jr. purchased the film rights to the play We Americans in support of the efforts of Will H. Hays, head of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, to further the more rapid Americanization of immigrants within the United States. Hays organized a group of experts to advise director Sloman on the film. The initial outline for the film had imigrants from Russia settling in the United States but maintaining their native language and customs, while their children became assimulated through attended American high school, with the resulting family conflict.
References
Bibliography
Erens, Patricia.The Jew in American Cinema. Indiana University Press, 1984. Munden, Kenneth White. The American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures Produced in the United States, Part 1. University of California Press, 1997.