A Midsummer Nights Dream (1935)

VHS CASE/SIDE

Length of film:  133 Minutes (Roadshow: 142 Minutes)

Rated: U

Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance

Director: William Dieterle, Max Reinhardt

Starring: James Cagney, Dick Powell, Ian Hunter, Verree Teasdale, Hobart Cavanaugh, Ross Alexander, Olivia de Havilland, Mickey Rooney, Victor Jory, Anita Louise

IMDB Rank: 6.8/10

Part 1 Time:  71 Minutes (Roadshow: 76 Minutes)

Part 2 Time:  62 Minutes (Roadshow: 66 Minutes)

***Intermission point follows at the conclusion of Act III scene 1.

Where does the first part end? Oberon (Victor Jory) arrives on horseback, picks up a fairy and rides off.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “This falls out better than I could devise,” states Oberon.

First line of dialogue on the second part: “You spend your passion on a foolish mood,” Demetrius (Ross Alexander) speaks with Hermia (Olivia de Havilland) as they walk through the forest.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Somewhat, Oberon’s plan to have Titania (Anita Louise) fall in love has succeeded, unfortunately for Titania it is with Bottom (James Cagney) who now has the head of a donkey.

Which part is better? Part two is better as Oberon gets is revenge over Titania and the mischief caused by Puck (Mickey Rooney) is set right. The four Athenian lovers (Hermia, Lysander, Hermia and Demetrius) awaken believing the night’s events were a part of a dream. It is a happily ever after ending as all four Athenian lovers are clear of who their true love is.

Academy Awards: Best Film Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Assistant Director (Nominated), Best Picture (Nominated)