A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1909) stars William V. Ranous, Maurice Costello, Gladys Hulette, Rose Tapley. It was directed
by J. Stuart Blackton and Charles Kent. This is a very early, short silent film
version of the play.
Act I
An opening title card describes the first scene: “The Duke of Athens, soon to be married to
Hippolyta, decrees that his subject, Hermia, shall give up her lover, Lysander,
and shall marry Demetrius whom her father has chosen. The lovers decide to
elope. They are followed by Demetrius and by Helena in love with Demetrius.”
And we see a little of this in a wide shot. A title card then tells of the
tradesmen who are rehearsing a play. The parts are handed out. Flute touches
his face to indicate he has a beard coming in, and Bottom keeps taking center
stage.
Act II
This film deviates from the play a bit with this odd
title card: “Titania, queen of the
fairies, quarrels with Penelope. Penelope plans to avenge herself and sends
Puck for an herb which when placed upon the eyes of a sleeper, will cause him
to love the first creature whom he sees upon awakening.” Penelope? Are we
to believe Titania is a lesbian in this version, in love with Penelope rather
than Oberon? It seems so. And the changeling they argue over is also female in
this version. Puck is likewise female. And there is an early special effect as
she flies off and puts a girdle round the earth. We see Puck find the flower
and fly back to Penelope. Titania then sleeps and Penelope puts the flower’s potion
on her eyes.
A title card reads: “The
eloping lovers become weary in the forest. Puck places the magic herb upon the
eyes of Hermia and Lysander. Lysander awakes and falls in love with Helena.”
Wait, Puck puts the magic herb on Hermia’s eyes too? Hermia tells Lysander to
lie farther off. So a tree is between them. And no, contrary to what the card
says, Puck does not rub the flower on Hermia’s eyes. Demetrius then walks right
by Lysander and Hermia, which is odd, as he is seeking Hermia. Helena is right
behind him, and when Demetrius indicates he doesn’t want her following him, she
stops, and Lysander wakes.
Act III
A title card reads: “The
tradesmen come to the forest to rehearse their play. Puck changes the weaver
into an ass. Titania wakes and falls in love with him.” And in a wide shot
we see the rehearsal. Quince and Bottom are at odds, and there’s a wonderful
moment where Bottom tosses down his script, and all the others convince him to
continue. Bottom gets a full donkey head. Puck watches from behind a tree as
Titania wakes and falls for him. Suddenly the fairies appear, played by three
young girls. Puck then tells Penelope the good news. And then comes the
strangest cut in the film. The camera remains in place, and Penelope and Puck
are replaced by Helena and Hermia, arguing in the spot where Penelope and Puck
were just standing. Puck then leads Demetrius and Lysander around until they
sleep, at Puck’s urging. The girls too are then put to sleep by Puck. By the
way, all of this takes place in daylight, not at night.
Act IV
The title card reads: “Penelope discovers the mischief that has been done. She restores the
weaver to his normal shape and happily unites the lovers.” Bottom and
Titania recline against a tree. One of the fairies scratches Bottom’s nose,
which is a nice touch. When Titania wakes, she embraces Penelope, and the two
walk off together, Penelope’s arm around Titania. Puck then restores Bottom’s head.
Theseus, Hippolyta, Egeus and the train then come upon
the lovers.
Meanwhile the tradesmen are outside at a fountain,
frantic because Bottom has not arrived. But Bottom soon shows up.
The film ends there. Act V apparently has been lost from
what I read, not cut initially.
Time: 11 1/2 minutes
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