When you watch a Kenneth Branagh Shakespearian movie, one of the trademarks you'll see is the chance for actors you'd never imagine reciting those lines getting a chance to act in a new genre. I don't know if he got the idea from the 1935 classic, but A Midsummer Night's Dream put together a bunch of Warner Brothers studio actors to prance around and talk in poetry. Can you imagine a non-gangster James Cagney? How about Dick Powell without his dancing shoes? Mickey Rooney, Frank McHugh, and Joe E. Brown? Believe it or not, all those actors were given the opportunity to recite Shakespeare, alongside Olivia de Havilland, Ian Hunter, and Verree Teasdale, Ross Alexander, and Jean Muir.
If you don't know the original story, and you're anything like me, check out a CliffsNotes version so you can understand what's happening. I'd read a comic book for kids and seen the 1999 remake, but if I hadn't, I probably would have gotten lost. Those who aren't used to old movies might find themselves incredibly bored, but I urge them to take a few things into consideration: This was Olivia de Havilland's screen debut, so if it seems like her gestures popped up out of a silent movie, cut her some slack. This is a stylized fantasy; what do you expect her to do? Mickey Rooney, as we know now, was put on all sorts of pills to keep his energy up during his movies when he was a youth. He was told to act like a troublemaking fairy and giggle incessantly, so that's exactly what he did. And finally, keep in mind this movie was made in 1935. There weren't special effects back then, so when you watch the dance of the fairies, and double-exposure, the flying, and the excessive use of glitter, have fun with it! Don't criticize it and think how fake it looks; get involved in the fantasy. There will be plenty of times to zone out, especially during Joe E. Brown's scenes-during which you can compare who's wearing more eye makeup, James Cagney or Olivia-but during the fun parts, appreciate them.
If you don't know the original story, and you're anything like me, check out a CliffsNotes version so you can understand what's happening. I'd read a comic book for kids and seen the 1999 remake, but if I hadn't, I probably would have gotten lost. Those who aren't used to old movies might find themselves incredibly bored, but I urge them to take a few things into consideration: This was Olivia de Havilland's screen debut, so if it seems like her gestures popped up out of a silent movie, cut her some slack. This is a stylized fantasy; what do you expect her to do? Mickey Rooney, as we know now, was put on all sorts of pills to keep his energy up during his movies when he was a youth. He was told to act like a troublemaking fairy and giggle incessantly, so that's exactly what he did. And finally, keep in mind this movie was made in 1935. There weren't special effects back then, so when you watch the dance of the fairies, and double-exposure, the flying, and the excessive use of glitter, have fun with it! Don't criticize it and think how fake it looks; get involved in the fantasy. There will be plenty of times to zone out, especially during Joe E. Brown's scenes-during which you can compare who's wearing more eye makeup, James Cagney or Olivia-but during the fun parts, appreciate them.