The Scarlet Letter

Colleen Moore portrays the adulterous Hester Prynne with mastery in this first talking production of the classic Nathaniel Hawthorne novel. Prynne is condemned to wear the scarlet letter "A" on her chest after committing adultery and having a child out of wedlock. She protects the father, Reverend Dimmesdale (Hardie Albright), and bears the shame alone. When her husband (Henry Walthall) returns home from abroad and chooses to remain anonymous, he assumes the name Dr. Chillingworth and punishes the adulterers with his knowing silence. With veteran actors William Farnum, Virginia Howell, Jules Cowles and Albright reprising his role from the silent version eight years prior, this 1934 Majestic Pictures production is a stirring portrait of early Puritan America and a moving adaptation of the classic story.

• drama