Rockport, MA — September 22, 2023 — For Immediate Release — 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 November 21st 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.
Cora Sue Collins, now 96, who plays young Pearl in the film, recently shared her recollections of being on set during a Q+A that followed the film’s 4K world premiere at CineCon 2023 in Los Angeles. Collins (“Blood and Sand,” “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” “Black Moon”) was a child actress in great demand during the ’30s, appearing in 47 films before retiring from the industry at age 18.
“As a young girl, I was studying classics and had just finished reading ‘The Scarlet Letter’ when I heard I was going to play the role of Pearl. I was upset because I knew what ‘illegitimate’ meant … but I got over it,” Collins laughs. “But it was a wonderful experience, and I’m so pleased to have been part of what I consider to be one of the most important movies in film history. It was such a joy to be able to see it following the restoration because the sound quality was so poor in the original. I said the lines and could barely understand them. An amazing preservation of an influential film.”
Directed by Robert G. Vignola (“Broken Dreams,” “More Deadly Than the Male,” “The Knife”), the film also stars Hardie Albright (“The Mad Doctor of Market Street,” “Ladies Love Danger,” “The Song of Songs,” “So Big!”), Alan Hale (“Adventures of Don Juan,” “The Sea Hawk,” “The Adventures of Robin Hood,” “It Happened One Night”) and William Farnum (“The Count of Monte Cristo,” “A Connecticut Yankee,” “The Man Hunter,” “Samson”). The recreation of old Puritan Salem was by art director Frank Dexter (“Baby Face Morgan,” “Northwest Trail”).
The film was recently scanned in 4k from the 35mm preservation print made from the original camera negative, restored by Janice Allen at Cinema Arts in conjunction with UCLA Library Film & Television Archives.
Said Sam Sherman, the producer who acquired the rights to the film 60 years ago and collaborated with Film Masters on the restoration and special features, “When I was in college, we were assigned to read ‘The Scarlet Letter’ for an American literature course. I decided to watch an old, 16mm film print instead that a friend had, but was so impressed that I rushed to read the novel and appreciated how closely the movie followed the book. Five years later, I met Irwin Pizor, whose uncle, Herman Gluckman, had produced the film and purchased the rights and original 35mm negative. I re-released it in theaters, which changed my life as I became a professional film distributor. I’m very impressed by Film Masters’ restoration and am thrilled to make this incredible film available to the public.”
“The Scarlet Letter” is presented in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1:33:1 on region-free disks and includes English SDH with DTS-HD and Dolby AC3s audio options.
Special Features:
- Salem and the Scarlet Letter: Original Production narrated by John Carradine
- Full Commentary track by Professor, Jason A. Ney
- Essay in full color inserted booklet, by Professor, Jason A. Ney
- ‘A Sin of Passion: Hawthorne in Film,’ from Ballyhoo Motion Pictures, with an interview from author, Justin Humphreys
- ‘Revealing the Scarlet Letter,’ featuring a new interview with producer, Sam Sherman
- Original, restored trailer for the film
Available on Blu-ray™ and DVD November 21st
