Summary
“Hay Foot, Straw Foot” unfurls a poignant tableau of intergenerational idealism and moral fortitude, set against the fervent backdrop of a nation mobilizing for war. Young Ulysses S. Grant Briggs, steeped in the hagiography of his namesake by his Union veteran grandfather, Thaddeus, navigates a world where historical loyalties clash with contemporary exigencies. His childhood is a dialectic between Thaddeus's reverence for Grant and the neighboring Confederate veteran, Jeff Hanan's, staunch advocacy for Lee – a microcosm of America's enduring, yet healing, divisions. When the drumbeat of war calls, these old adversaries unite, forging Ulysses into a soldier. His burgeoning military career, however, swiftly collides with a moral quandary when he encounters Betty Martin, a dancer whose profession, according to Thaddeus's stern warnings, marks her as a 'play actress' to be shunned. Despite his grandfather's counsel, a burgeoning affection and an innate sense of chivalry compel Ulysses to intervene when the nefarious Harry Weller ensnares Betty in a compromising situation at a disreputable roadhouse. A clandestine rescue mission ensues, culminating in a selfless act of protection that sees Ulysses court-martialed and incarcerated, his silence a testament to his honor. It is Betty's eventual confession that unravels the truth, prompting a remarkable consensus among the commanding officer, Thaddeus, and Jeff: Ulysses's actions, born of integrity and courage, embody the very spirit of honor that both Grant and Lee, in their distinct legacies, championed. The film thus transforms a personal crisis into a profound affirmation of character, transcending historical allegiances in the face of universal human virtue.
Synopsis
Ulysses S. Grant Briggs, raised by his grandfather Thaddeus, who served under General Grant, grows up with the General as his hero even though his neighbor, former Confederate soldier Jeff Hanan, argues that General Lee was the better man. When war is declared, Thaddeus and Jeff forget their differences and train Ulysses for military service. At the camp amateur show, Ulysses falls in love with dancer Betty Martin, but remembering Thaddeus' admonition to "watch out for play actresses," Ulysses avoids her. When dissolute Harry Weller lures Betty to a notorious roadhouse, Ulysses follows, knowing he can be court-martialed. Hearing Betty struggle, Ulysses fights Weller and keeps the military police from entering until Betty can escape through a window. Ulysses then is sent to the guardhouse where Thaddeus and Jeff unsuccessfully try to convince him to talk. After Betty confesses, the commanding officer, Thaddeus and Jeff agree that Ulysses did what both Grant and Lee would have done.
Review Excerpt
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Hay Foot, Straw Foot: A Timeless Ode to Honor and Reconciliation
Step into a bygone era of cinematic storytelling, where the flicker of silent film conveyed profound narratives with an eloquence often unmatched by spoken word. Julien Josephson’s 1919 masterpiece, Hay Foot, Straw Foot, stands as a remarkable testament to this artistry, weaving a tale that is as much a historical commentary as it is a deeply personal drama. Released in the immediate aftermath of the Great War, this film c..."
