Based on the shocking book that, perhaps more than any other novel, effectively encapsulated the emergence of individualism and self-reliance from America’s Puritan and conformist roots—and remains controversial today in some circles—the first sound version of The Scarlet Letter (1934) comes to Blu-ray and DVD, Nov. 21 from Film Masters.
Colleen Moore (Social Register, Why Be Good, Lilac Time, Twinkletoes) stars as Hester Prynne in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic tale of sin and redemption. Bearing a child out of wedlock was punishable in 17th century Massachusetts by being forced to wear a scarlet letter A. Hester, a widowed mother with an illegitimate child, Pearl, is forced to wear said scarlet letter. In a story about retaining dignity and protecting Pearl from close-minded townsfolk, Hester is determined to rise above her situation.
SPECIAL FEATURES: Professor and author Jason A. Ney joins us for an in-depth look at this historic film, joined by special guest, Cora Sue Collins; written essay by Ney; Ballyhoo Motion Pictures presents “A Sin of Passion: Hawthorne in Film,” featuring a new interview with author, Justin Humphreys; original production, “Salem and the Scarlet Letter,” with archival footage provided by producer Sam Sherman of Salem, Mass., narrated by John Carradine; and a new interview with Sherman, “Revealing the Scarlet Letter.”