Last night I watched a wonderful 1935 version of Midsummer Night's Dream. It starred James Cagney as Bottom, Mickey Rooney as Puck (I KNOW, but he was absolutely wonderful), and Olivia De Haviland as Hermia. Dick Powell, Joe E. Brown, and several other excellent actors were also in the play.
When I had ordered the DVD, I assumed that James Cagney would play Puck. I know that he would have been fantastic as Puck, but his Bottom was very good, very humorous, and when he had the head of an ass he had a certain (not overplayed) sadness. Mickey Rooney did a great job with Puck. Even though he was fifteen at the time the film was made, he seemed like a boy between 6 and 10. He plays the mischievous kid perfectly. He had a great laugh, but it got to be a little wearing by the end of the film. I would have liked more variation in that one area. Other than that, his performance was perfect. I'm not a Rooney fan, so this was a big surprise to me.
The sets and costumes were beautiful. It reminded me of films I've seen by Cukor, such as Beauty and the Beast. I particularly loved the costumes and choreography of the fairies. The only poor costume was the head of the ass. It was stiff, and the jaw didn't move correctly. Other than that and the laugh, I was mesmerized.
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