Hawthorne's HESTER

Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in Salem, Mass. in 1804. One of his forebearers had been a judge at the Salem Witch Trials in 1692. So he seemed to always have extra sensitivity to human rights. In 1845, he was working as a customs surveyor, and writing part-time. As a writer and artist, he developed friendships with Longfellow and Emerson. He published THE SCARLET LETTER in 1850. Later he wrote other novels; including THE HOUSE OF SEVEN GABLES. For several years he was in the diplomatic corps, and lived in Europe. He died in 1864.

The first film that was based on his novel, was a silent version of THE SCARLET LETTER, released in the USA in 1908. It starred Gene Gauntier as Hester Prynne.

Just a few years later, in America, in 1911, another silent version of THE SCARLET LETTER was released. It was directed by Joseph Smiley. It starred Anita Herndan as Hester Prynne, with King Bagguil as the Rev. Dimmesdale, and Robert Leonard as Roger Chillingworth. It must have been a popular theme, because in 1913, in the USA, another silent version of THE SCARLET LETTER appeared. This one had the distinction of being hand-tinted color. It was directed by David Miles. It starred Linda Arvidson as Hester, with Murdock MacQuarrie as Rev. Dimmesdale, and Charles Perley as Chillingworth.

During World War I, in 1917, in America, another silent version of THE SCARLET LETTER was released. The writer/director was Charles Harbaugh. It starred a Miss Mary Martin [ No, this was not the actress who later appeared as Peter Pan in the 1950's ] as Hester Prynne, with Stuart Holmes as Pastor Arthur Dimmesdale, and Dan Mason as Roger Chillingworth.

There was some talk about a short silent release version done in 1920, but there is no real data on it. In 1922, the British got into the Hawthorne act, releasing a silent version of THE SCARLET LETTER. It starred Sybil Thorndike as Hester Prynne, with Tony Fraser as Pastor Dimmesdale, and Dick Webb as Roger Chillingworth.

Later, in 1926, in America, a lavish Hollywood silent version of THE SCARLET LETTER was brought out. It starred a radiant Lillian Gish as Hester Prynne, with Lars Hanson as the Rev. Arthur Dimmesdale, and Henry B. Walthall as Roger Prynne/Chillingworth.

Then in the landmark year of 1934, the first sound version of THE SCARLET LETTER was released. It starred the great silent actress Colleen Moore as Hester Prynne [ at 34 years old, this was her last film ], with Hardy Albright as Arthur Dimmesdale, and again Henry B. Walthall as Roger Chillingworth. It also featured actors Alan Hale Sr., and William Farnum.

Nearly two decades later, and television version of THE SCARLET LETTER appeared, but there was no cast information available on the IMDb.

Almost three decades later, in 1979, a fine filmed version , THE SCARLET LETTER was released ( on VHS, it is on two tapes ), a PBS production, done for a Boston TV station. It stars Meg Foster as Hester Prynne, with John Heard as Rev. Arthur Dimmesdale, and Kevin Conway as Roger Chillingworth.

And in 1995, THE SCARLET LETTER was released. This throbbing color version had the full Hollywood treatment. It starred Demi Moore as Hester Prynne, with Gary Oldman as Pastor Dimmesdale, and the bewigged Robert Duvall as Chillingworth. It featured Edward Hardwicke, Robert Prosky, and Joan Plowright.

Amazon featured tow other VHS versions of the tale. There is THE SCARLET LETTER, from Classic Books. This is a completely inept endeavor in every respect; poor acting, poor writing, poor direction, and poor art design.
A little better attempt was done with THE SCARLET LETTER, done by the Learning Channel ( TLC ); from the Great Book series. It is, at least, watchable. How long before we will be able to enjoy THE SCARLET LETTER of some Thames BBC production, or a movie done for A&E network ? Not long, I hope.

Glenn Buttkus 2004