TotalTelly.co.uk
Devoted to Popular, Cult and Retro TV
A Midsummer Night's Dream [1935] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
![A Midsummer Night's Dream [1935] (REGION 1) (NTSC)](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61xE-zvbMbL._SL160_.jpg)
Our Price: £9.12 (subject to change)
More fun than the recent versions
Review date: 2008-06-07 Rating: 10 out of 10
I enjoyed this more than any of the three more recent versions I have watched. Well worth the price and the young Mickey Rooney's performance as Puck was livelier than any other in the role.
I can add little more to B. Chandler's review except to say that, although described as a Region 1 dvd, this plays perfectly on my Region 2 player which usually rejects Region 1 offerings.
Similar Products
- William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream [1999]
- Julius Caesar [1953] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Romeo And Juliet [1968]
- Romeo and Juliet [1936] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- A Midsummer Night's Dream [1968] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Reviews
More elaborate than most versions
Review date: 2007-11-11 Rating: 10 out of 10
The many different versions down through the ages of this play each bring different visions with strengths and weaknesses of interpretation. Of course this version as with others incorporated the popular actors of the time. The costuming is also a tad more elaborate. Very little of the original writing is missing. Each actor expresses their unique and familiar talent. There are some great ballet scenes. Keep your eye on Puck, or Robin Goodfellow, assistant to the fairy king (Mickey Rooney).
Now the situation. We have overlapping tales, which in the confusion become even more overlapping and confusing. We have Theseus (Ian Hunter), Duke of Athens, about to marry Hippolyta (Verree Teasdale), Queen of the Amazons. Practicing in the solitude of the Woods is a troop of actors that will appear at the wedding. One of the troops is a married man with a roving eye, Bottom (James Cagney); he is soon encountering with a group of fairies. Now this is an interesting situation on its own. However there is more. Hermia is being forced by her father Egeus to marry Demetrius. However Hermia (Olivia de Haviland) is in love with Lysander (Dick Powell.) Wait there is more Hermia's friend Helena (Jean Muir) is in love with Demetrius, who ignores her. Yep into the wood escape Hermia and Lysander. Hot on their trail is Demetrius (Ross Alexander) doggedly followed by Helena. Mean time back at the ranch the Fairy queen and king has a slight falling-out. So the fairy king intends to correct everyone's situation and teach a few lessons along the way. You get the idea. Now setback and watch the fun. And stay tuned for the play in the end in which Joe E. Brown plays a good Flute, the Bellows-Mender and sometimes actor.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Victor Jory
Dick Powell
Joe E. Brown
Mickey Rooney
James Cagney
Creators:
James Cagney (Primary Contributor)
Joe E. Brown (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
EAN: 0012569591226
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, DVD-Video, Original recording remastered, Subtitled, NTSC,
Release date: 2007-08-14
Universal product code (UPC): 012569591226
Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
Region code: 1
Running time: 143 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1935-10-30
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: French (Subtitled)
Language: Portuguese (Subtitled)