The Scarlet Letter (1926 film)

The Scarlet Letter is a 1926 American drama film, based on the book by the same name, and directed by Victor Sjöström. Louis B. Mayer was reluctant on using Miss Gish, fearing opposition from church groups. The film was announced as "It's a real 'A' picture", taking advantage of the 'A' for Adultery. Prints of the film survive in the MGM/United Artists film archives and the UCLA Film and Television Archive.

Contents

• Romantic scene from the scarlet letter
• Cast
• Production
• Reception
• References

Cast

Lillian Gish - Hester Prynne

Lars Hanson - The Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale

Henry B. Walthall - Roger Chillingworth

Karl Dane - Master Giles

William H. Tooker - The Governor

Marcelle Corday - Mistress Hibbins

Fred Herzog - The Jailer

Jules Cowles - The Beadle

Mary Hawes - Patience

Joyce Coad - Pearl

James A. Marcus - A Sea Captain

Nora Cecil - (uncredited)

Iron Eyes Cody - Young Native American at Dunking (uncredited)

Dorothy Gray - Child (uncredited)

Margaret Mann - (uncredited)

Polly Moran - Jeering Townswoman (uncredited)

Chief Yowlachie - Native American (uncredited)

Production

The film was the second one Gish made under her contract with MGM. She asked Louis B. Mayer specifically to make it and he reluctantly agreed. Shooting took under two months.

Reception

The film made a profit of $296,000.

The film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists:

2002: AFI's 100 Years...100 Passions – Nominated

2003: AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes & Villains:

Hester Prynne – Nominated Hero