A Midsummer Night's Dream

Director: William Dieterle, Max Reinhardt William Dieterle

Overview

Max Reinhardt's legendary Hollywood Bowl production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream was transferred to the screen by Warner Bros. Like most of Shakespeare's comedies, the story contains several seemingly-unrelated plotlines, all tied together by a single unifying event, in this instance the impending wedding of Theseus and Hippolyta.

Product Details

Release Date:	08/14/2007
UPC:	0012569591226
Original Release:	1935
Rating:	NR
Source:	STUDIO DISTRIBUTION SERVS LLC
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[B&W]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	2:23:00
Sales rank:	23,795

Special Features

Commentary by film historian Scott MacQueen; Olivia de Havilland screen test; Vintage featurette a Dream Comes True; Presenting... ; Gallery of 6 teaser trailers showcasing cast members; Warner Bros. Studio Café teaser trailer; Musical short Shake Mr. Shakespeare; Theatrical trailer; Subtitles: English, Français & Português (main feature. bonus material/trailer may not be subtitled)

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

James Cagney	Bottom
Olivia de Havilland	Hermia
Joe E. Brown	Flute
Dick Powell	Lysander
Jean Muir	Helena
Anita Louise	Titania
Hugh Herbert	Snout
Mickey Rooney	Puck
Ross Alexander	Demetrius
Frank McHugh	Quince
Victor Jory	Oberon
Grant Mitchell	Egeus
Nina Theilade	Prima Ballerina Fairy,First Fairy
Verree Teasdale	Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons,Hippolyta, Queen of Amazons
Dewey Robinson	Snug
Hobart Cavanaugh	Philostrate
Otis Harlan	Starveling
Arthur Treacher	Ninny's Tomb
Katherine Frey	Pease-Blossom
Helen Westcott	Cobweb
Fred Sale	Moth
Billy Barty	Mustardseed
Ian Hunter	Theseus
Kenneth Anger	Changeling Prince

Technical Credits

Charles Kenyon

Mary McCall Jr.

William Dieterle	Director
Max Reinhardt	Director,Producer
Sherry Shourds	Assistant Director
Byron Haskin	Special Effects
Fred Jackman	Special Effects
H.F. Koenekamp	Special Effects
Charles Kenyon	Screenwriter
Mary McCall Jr.	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

Although it is not without flaws, the 1935 version of A Midsummer Night's Dream is by and large a delight. Given the casting, it's inevitable that there would be some grumblings with this Dream; for one thing, there's an awful lot of Hollywood in here and very little English. But, surprisingly, some of those Hollywood names turn in exceptional performances. Top of the list is the thoroughly delightful James Cagney as Bottom, leader of the mechanicals. His enthusiastic, audacious, ultimately captivating turn brings abundant life to the film and makes one forget that, really, this man shouldn't be so at home with Shakespeare. As one of Cagney's cronies, Joe E. Brown is also a surprising pleasure, making up for the misfire of fellow mechanical Hugh Herbert. An extraordinarily young Olivia de Havilland is fetching and entirely winning as Hermia, and Victor Jory is just about perfect as Oberon. On the down side, there's Dick Powell, entirely out of his depth as Lysander. Most controversial is the Puck of Mickey Rooney, which some find charming and appealing and others find busy and annoying; suffice it to say that while he admirably captures the feeling of youthful and irreverent mischief that is at the heart of the character, he does so in a manner that is often forced. Although the direction is a tad uneven, most of the film moves at a nice clip, and the co-directors create a convincing otherworldly feel to the proceedings. They are helped immeasurably by the sensational cinematography of Hal Mohr, which adds a gossamer sheen to even the deepest, darkest part of the forest and is in all ways magical.