09-04-2009, 02:43 PM
The fam went to see AMND at UCSC last weekend and in preparation, Mrs. Dm thought it would be amusing to watch all the different versions on DVD. I love AMND (what writer can resist the language of Willie-the-Shakes?) and have always related to Bottom for some reason. I also love to watch how well actors can engage the sing-song sound of the dialogue. The good ones just blow through it without it sounding like a limerick.
1935 - Max Reinhart's version: Awesome B&W effects for the day. James Cagney rocks as Bottom. Verree Teasdale wears hysterical snake outfits. Olivia de Havilland is a gorgeous Hermia. Dick Powell is a goofy Lysander. But a child Mickey Rooney as Puck? Well, he's damn annoying with his overacting and his shrilly fairy laugh. Almost disturbing, but definitely annoying. Lots of symphonic music and faux ballet dance numbers. But a funny production for sure, well worth watching.
1968 - Peter Hall's version: Very late 60's UK. Judi Dench as Titania and she's basically topless throughout, painted green with pasties. That's right. Imagine a youthful post millennium M as a topless fairy queen. Believe it or not, it totally works. Ian Holm as Puck and I wish he'd stop flicking his tongue so. Helen Mirren as Hermia and she handles Shakespeare like it was her native language. Emma Peel as Helena and, much as I respect Mrs. Peel, she talks to the camera way too much. This version is way too serious and artsy. I'd pass unless you have some sort of M fetish.
1996 - No one of note version. Way artsy fartsy. It's the I-wanna-be-Cirque-Du-Soliel version. Way too gay. Sure, it's about the fairy world after all, but come on now. It's been over a decade since I worked on Folsom and I've had to drink so much whiskey to expunge those memories...
1999 - A smart production all around. Otto from Wanda as Bottom? And no donkey mask? Nice! Ladyhawke as Titania? Truly awesome. Ally McBeal as Helena? Perfect, absolutely perfect. Batman as Demetrius...well, that's odd, but amusing. Tucci makes a good Puck. This is the pick of the litter.
1935 - Max Reinhart's version: Awesome B&W effects for the day. James Cagney rocks as Bottom. Verree Teasdale wears hysterical snake outfits. Olivia de Havilland is a gorgeous Hermia. Dick Powell is a goofy Lysander. But a child Mickey Rooney as Puck? Well, he's damn annoying with his overacting and his shrilly fairy laugh. Almost disturbing, but definitely annoying. Lots of symphonic music and faux ballet dance numbers. But a funny production for sure, well worth watching.
1968 - Peter Hall's version: Very late 60's UK. Judi Dench as Titania and she's basically topless throughout, painted green with pasties. That's right. Imagine a youthful post millennium M as a topless fairy queen. Believe it or not, it totally works. Ian Holm as Puck and I wish he'd stop flicking his tongue so. Helen Mirren as Hermia and she handles Shakespeare like it was her native language. Emma Peel as Helena and, much as I respect Mrs. Peel, she talks to the camera way too much. This version is way too serious and artsy. I'd pass unless you have some sort of M fetish.
1996 - No one of note version. Way artsy fartsy. It's the I-wanna-be-Cirque-Du-Soliel version. Way too gay. Sure, it's about the fairy world after all, but come on now. It's been over a decade since I worked on Folsom and I've had to drink so much whiskey to expunge those memories...
1999 - A smart production all around. Otto from Wanda as Bottom? And no donkey mask? Nice! Ladyhawke as Titania? Truly awesome. Ally McBeal as Helena? Perfect, absolutely perfect. Batman as Demetrius...well, that's odd, but amusing. Tucci makes a good Puck. This is the pick of the litter.
Shadow boxing the apocalypse
