By Steven Suskin
13 Aug 2007

Speaking of Shakespeare, here comes an intriguing and perhaps indispensable set, under the title Warner Home Video Shakespeare Collection. Four films, each notable in their own right, and — imagine this! — all making their first-ever appearance on DVD.

The highlight, at least in terms of popular appeal, is Kenneth Branagh's 1996 version of "Hamlet." This was an all-stops-out production, using the full text (and clocking four hours and two minutes). Director Branagh, who plays that melancholy Dane, surrounds himself with a cast that might raise a few eyebrows; where else will you find Billy Crystal and Charlton Heston cheek by jowl? Jack Lemmon and Robin Williams, too, along with Kate Winslet, Julie Christie and Derek Jacobi. If you want the complete "Hamlet," full text and full screen, here it is.

Branagh's "Hamlet" was conceived for the screen. Laurence Olivier's 1965 "Othello" began as a legendary stage production at the National Theatre in London (now the Royal National Theatre), where it was directed by John Dexter. (The film features Dexter's production and actors; it is directed by Stuart Burge.) Olivier's performance is an absolute marvel; the original advertising campaign called it "the greatest Othello ever by the greatest actor of our time." Hyperbole, perhaps, but this is some performance. (And yes, folks, Sir Larry plays it in black-face. How else?)

After watching this performance, you might want to switch to the original trailer that is included with the bonus features. Here comes Sir Larry, looking like a middle-aged banker, chatting with us about how impossible it was to arrange schedules to allow an international tour of the National's "Othello," which is why they decided to film it. But look at the man, soft and gentle and pleasant; then switch back to his Othello, beneath the greasepaint mask. It's a shame to spoil the surprise of who that Desdemona is, but the titles give it away long before her first entrance. This exceptional dramatic actress, holding her own with Olivier and a stageful of top British dramatic actors, is Maggie Smith, 40-odd years ago. She was already a star comedienne at the time, but watch as she lifts her brow, and lo — not a single laugh! Spellbinding, as is the whole affair.

The other two films are what you might call oldies, from the days of the Hollywood studio system. From 1936, comes George Cukor's "Romeo and Juliet," with Leslie Howard and Norma Shearer in the title roles. The cast is filled out with John Barrymore, Edna May Oliver, Basil Rathbone, C. Aubrey Smith and those other codgers. The handling might seem a little old fashioned, but no matter. (The quote on the slipcase calls it "best of the pre-Olivier Shakespeare films.")

Far more remarkable is Max Reinhardt's 1935 production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Reinhardt had staged a production of the play at the Hollywood Bowl; Jack Warner was so overwhelmed that he invited the director into the studio, giving him free reign. The results are amazing, that's for sure; this is unlike any "Midsummer Night's Dream" you're likely to see, and among the most imaginative films ever to come out of Hollywood. Take a look at Mickey Rooney's Puck, for starters; unworldly and unforgettable. James Cagney, too, stands out as a droll and impressive Bottom. He is joined by Dick Powell, Joe E. Brown, Olivia de Havilland, Victor Jory, Frank McHugh and more. This was back in the days of black & white and non-stereophonic sound, but the work in both departments is altogether remarkable. Listen to that fascinating Mendelssohn score, adapted by Erich Wolfgang Korngold. No, they don't — and can't — make 'em like this anymore.

That's the Warner Home Video Shakespeare Collection. Each film — the two-DVD "Hamlet" and the others on single-discs — is available separately, too.

*

All the world being a stage, it is only natural to segue to Jim Henson and The Muppet Show: The Complete Second Season [Buena Vista]. M-G-M and the Bros. Warner had stars galore, sure, but Henson does them better; everybody seems to have wanted to go and play second banana to the frog and the pig. The second season lineup includes Julie Andrews, Zero Mostel, Elton John, Peter Sellers, Milton Berle, Nancy Walker, Judy Collins, Bernadette Peters, Rudolf Nureyev, Madeline Kahn, Steve Martin, George Burns — and, well, a dozen more. And this is just the lineup from the 1977-1978 season.

The humor is all over the place; some items land remarkably well, while others show their age. (This was topical TV, after all.) The magic of the Muppets series, viewed long after the fact, is that it presents the guests on holiday; we are seeing their public personas, of course, but overall their guards are down. How can they not be? They are talking to, singing with and acting against lovable, shaggy, ridiculous puppets. All of these actors seem larger than life — how can they not be? — and having a jolly old time, without their agents or managers or public relations experts standing in the corner rewriting the script. And they were presumably working for nothing, comparatively speaking. These Muppets episodes, spread across a four-DVD set, are full of glimpses at numerous intriguing stars — now either departed or 30 years older — and full of pure joy.

(Steven Suskin is author of "Second Act Trouble," "Show Tunes," and the "Opening Night on Broadway" books. He can be reached at Ssuskin@aol.com.)