| A Midsummer's Night Dream | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Charles Kent J. Stuart Blackton (co-director) |
| Produced by | J. Stuart Blackton |
| Written by | Eugene Mullin (scenario) William Shakespeare (play) |
| Starring | Walter Ackerman Charles Chapman Dolores Costello Helene Costello |
| Distributed by | Vitagraph Studios |
| Release date(s) | December 1909 |
| Running time | 1 reels |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent film |
A Midsummer Night's Dream is a 1909 film directed by Charles Kent and starring Walter Ackerman and Charles Chapman. This is the first film version of the classic play by William Shakespeare.
The Duke of Athens decrees that Hermia (Rose Tapley) shall forsake Lysander (Maurice Costello) in favour of her father's choice, Demetrius (William 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, 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. When Penelope discovers all this mischief, she lifts the spell and the wedding of the duke and Hippolyta can proceed.