“The Scarlet Letter” is a film adaptation of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic novel of the same name, released in 1934 and directed by Robert G. Vignola. The film stars Colleen Moore, Hardie Albright, and Henry B. Walthall.

The story is set in Puritan New England in the mid-17th century and follows the life of Hester Prynne (Colleen Moore), a young woman who is condemned by her community for committing adultery and forced to wear a scarlet “A” on her chest as a symbol of her shame.

As Hester struggles to rebuild her life and raise her daughter, Pearl, she must also contend with the wrath of her vengeful husband, Roger Chillingworth (Henry B. Walthall), who seeks to punish her lover, the Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale (Hardie Albright).

The film explores themes of sin, guilt, and redemption, as well as the destructive power of societal judgment and ostracism. It also highlights the strength and resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Overall, “The Scarlet Letter” is a powerful and thought-provoking adaptation of Hawthorne’s novel that delves into the complexities of human nature and morality.

Directors:
Robert G. Vignola

Writer:
Nathaniel Hawthorne, Leonard Fields, David Silverstein

Stars:
Colleen Moore, Hardie Albright, Henry B. Walthall

In the film “The Long Shot” (1939), Henry Sharon is a struggling stable owner who is about to lose everything to his rival Lew Ralston. With no other options, Sharon decides to fake his own death and leave his prized horse, Certified Check, to his niece Martha.

Martha, played by Virginia Grey, and her friend Jeff Clayton, played by Johnnie Davis, start entering Certified Check in races, but the horse always loses. After receiving a tip that the horse dislikes running near the rail, Martha and Jeff begin to train Certified Check differently.

Their efforts pay off when they are given an outside post for the big stakes race at Santa Anita, giving the horse a legitimate shot at winning. However, they must keep Certified Check out of sight to prevent Ralston from sabotaging their chances.

The film is a thrilling underdog story about the perseverance of Martha and Jeff as they try to save their family’s stable and keep their beloved horse safe.

Directors:
Charles Lamont

Writer:
Ewart Adamson, Harry Beresford, George Callahan

Stars:
Gordon Jones, Marsha Hunt, C. Henry Gordon

“Of Human Bondage” is a 1934 drama film directed by John Cromwell and based on the novel of the same name by W. Somerset Maugham. The film stars Leslie Howard as Philip Carey, a young medical student who becomes obsessed with a manipulative and unpredictable waitress named Mildred Rogers (Bette Davis).

The film follows Philip as he struggles to find his place in the world and to come to terms with his unrequited love for Mildred. Mildred, who is in love with another man, uses and abuses Philip for her own purposes, leading him down a destructive path of heartbreak and despair.

As the story unfolds, Philip experiences a series of setbacks, including a failed medical career and a disastrous affair with another woman. Throughout it all, Mildred continues to toy with his emotions and leads him further into a downward spiral.

“Of Human Bondage” is a powerful and emotional film that explores themes of love, obsession, and the destructive power of human relationships. Howard and Davis both deliver strong performances, and the film’s direction and cinematography are also notable. It was a critical and commercial success upon its release, and remains a classic example of early Hollywood melodrama.

Directors:
John Cromwell

Writer:
Lester Cohen, W. Somerset Maugham, Ann Coleman

Stars:
Bette Davis, Leslie Howard, Frances Dee

“Penny Serenade” is a 1941 romantic drama film directed by George Stevens and starring Irene Dunne and Cary Grant. The film tells the story of a young couple, Julie (Dunne) and Roger (Grant), who fall in love and get married, but struggle with infertility and the challenges of parenthood.

The film is structured as a series of flashbacks, with Julie listening to old records that trigger memories of her past. Through these flashbacks, we see Julie and Roger meet, fall in love, and get married. When they are unable to have children of their own, they decide to adopt a baby girl named Trina. However, their happiness is short-lived when Trina falls seriously ill and dies.

The film then follows Julie and Roger as they try to come to terms with their loss and their relationship is tested by a series of further tragedies. Through it all, their love for each other remains strong, and they are eventually reunited with a young boy they had considered adopting earlier.

“Penny Serenade” is a touching and poignant film that deals with themes of love, loss, and resilience. It features strong performances by Dunne and Grant, and its use of music as a storytelling device adds to the emotional impact of the film. The film was a critical and commercial success and was nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Dunne.

Directors:
George Stevens

Writer:
Morrie Ryskind, Martha Cheavens

Stars:
Cary Grant, Irene Dunne, Beulah Bondi

“Street Scene” is a 1931 film directed by King Vidor, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name by Elmer Rice. The film takes place in a New York City tenement building and follows the lives of several families and individuals living there.

The central plot revolves around the Maurrant family, consisting of Anna (Estelle Taylor), her husband Frank (David Landau), and their teenage daughter Rose (Sylvia Sidney). Anna is unhappily married to Frank, who is abusive and frequently absent. Rose is in love with their neighbor, Sam Kaplan (William Collier Jr.), but her parents disapprove of the relationship due to Sam being Jewish.

As the film progresses, tensions rise between the characters and several subplots emerge. A group of gossiping women spread rumors about their neighbors, a young couple deals with infidelity, and a single mother struggles to provide for her child.

The film’s climax comes when Frank returns home and discovers Anna’s affair with the milkman. In a fit of rage, he kills Anna and is subsequently arrested. The film ends with the community coming together to mourn Anna’s death and reflect on their own lives.

“Street Scene” is notable for its realistic portrayal of urban life in early 20th-century America, as well as its use of naturalistic acting and cinematography. It received critical acclaim and was nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Directors:
King Vidor

Writer:
Elmer Rice

Stars:
Sylvia Sidney, William Collier Jr., Estelle Taylor