Running time 30 minutes Initial release 8 March 1916 Screenplay J. M. Barrie | Country United Kingdom Director J. M. Barrie Produced by A. E. Matthews | |
Directed by L. C. MacBean
J. M. Barrie Written by J. M. Barrie
William Shakespeare (original play) Starring Edmund Gwenn
Nelson Keys
Godfrey Tearle
Owen Nares
Norman Forbes Release date 22 April 1916 (1916-04-22) Distributed by British Actors Film Company Cast Edmund Gwenn, Godfrey Tearle, Owen Nares, Nelson Keys, Norman Forbes‑Robertson Similar We Work Again, Makibefo, A Witch's Tangled Hare, Joe MacBeth, Shakespeare Must Die | ||
The Real Thing at Last is a satirical silent movie based on the play Macbeth. It was written in 1916 by Peter Pan creator and playwright J. M. Barrie as a parody of the American entertainment industry. The film was made by the newly created British Actors Film Company in response to news that American filmmaker D. W. Griffith intended to honor the 300th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death with the production of a film version. No copies of The Real Thing at Last are known to survive.
Contents
Plot
American film producer Rupert K. Thunder (Edmund Gwenn) hosted the 30-minute film live. It parodies the sensationalism of the American entertainment of the day, contrasting it with more reserved British sensibilities. It loosely follows the plot of the play, but two versions of each depicted scene are shown:
In the British version, Lady Macbeth wiped a small amount of blood from her hands; in the American she had to wash away gallons of the stuff. In the British, the witches danced around a small cauldron; in the American the witches became dancing beauties cavorting around a huge cauldron. In the British, Macbeth and Macduff fought in a ditch; in the American Macbeth falls to his death from a skyscraper.Cast
Production
Although nominally directed by L. C. MacBean, Barrie took an active role in its direction. The film featured several popular British stage actors of the period, and thus served as the film debuts of Edmund Gwenn, Marie Lohr, Ernest Thesiger, and Frederick Kerr. Pauline Chase had been part of the original cast of Barrie's Peter Pan and played the title role for seven years; she came out of retirement for this, her only screen performance.
Release
The film was presented at the London Coliseum as part of a benefit for the YMCA raising money to entertain the troops serving in the Great War. This was attended by Queen Mary, Princess Mary, and Prince Albert (later King George VI).