''A Midsummer Night's Dream'' is a 1909 American film directed by Charles Kent and J. Stuart Blackton, and starring Walter Ackerman and Charles Chapman. It was the first film adaptation of the eponymous play by

William Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 23 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

. The movie was made during summer 1909, but not released until December 25.

Plot

The Duke of Athens decrees that Hermia ( Rose Tapley) shall forsake Lysander ( Maurice Costello) in favour of her father's choice, Demetrius (Walter Ackerman). The lovers elope into the woods, quickly followed by Demetrius and his love, Helena ( Julia Swayne Gordon). The town tradesmen, meanwhile, rehearse a play in honour of the duke's betrothal to Hippolyta. Back in the forest, Titania, Queen of Fairies ( Florence Turner), quarrels with Penelope ( Clara Kimball Young), who avenges herself by sending Puck ( Gladys Hulette) away with a magic herb, which, dabbed on the eyes of a sleeping person, shall make the "victim" fall in love with the first person to appear after awakening. Soon, Lysander and Demetrius are smitten with the wrong girls and Titania has fallen in love with Bottom, the egotistical leader of the tradesmen, whom Puck has turned into an ass (donkey). When Penelope discovers all this mischief, she lifts the spell and the wedding of the duke and Hippolyta can proceed.

Cast

* Walter Ackerman as Demetrius * Dolores Costello as a fairy * Helene Costello as a fairy * Maurice Costello as Lysander * Rose Tapley as Hermia * Julia Swayne Gordon as Helena * Florence Turner as Titania * Clara Kimball Young as Penelope * Gladys Hulette as Puck * Elita Proctor Otis as Hippolyta * William Humphrey * William V. Ranous as Bottom * William Shea as Mechanical * Charles Chapman as Quince * Charles Kent as

Theseus Theseus (, ; ) was a divine hero in Greek mythology, famous for slaying the Minotaur. The myths surrounding Theseus, his journeys, exploits, and friends, have provided material for storytelling throughout the ages. Theseus is sometimes desc ...

References

Notes Bibliography * * * Further reading * * * * * * * * * *

External links

* * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Midsummer Night's Dream (1909 film), A 1909 films 1909 short films 1900s American films 1900s English-language films 1900s fantasy adventure films 1900s romantic drama films American black-and-white films American fantasy adventure films American fantasy drama films American silent short films Articles containing video clips Films based on A Midsummer Night's Dream Films directed by J. Stuart Blackton Silent American adventure drama films Silent American romantic drama films Surviving American silent films Vitagraph Studios short films English-language drama short films English-language romantic drama films English-language fantasy adventure films