THE SCARLET LETTER
Starring Lillian Gish and Lars Hanson
PHOTOPLAY
October 1926
Hawthorne's classic and somber study of he New England conscience has been just as somberly translated to the screen.
Lillian Gish wears the red letter of sin with her stock virginal sweetness, failing to grasp the force of Hester Prynne's willpower and intelligence. She is a beaten child, not a courageous woman.
The camera work has been perfectly handled, but the Puritans have been seen with a slightly Swedish eye by Director victor Seastrom. They are dour rather than high-minded religious fanatics. The performance of the piece is Lars Hanson's as Dimmesdale. He suffers handsomely.
Take your handkerchiefs and the older children. All self-appointed
censors should be ordered to sit through it.
For more information, see "The Scarlet Letter" as our "Feature of the Month"