Featured Audience Ratings

• Cindy I

  
  Although Norma Shearer (at 37) and Leslie Howard (at 42) were far too old to play the teenage star-crossed lovers, they both did such a wonderful job of showing their love and devotion for each other that you can forgive them. The balcony scene, with the fairyland sets lit by… More
  Although Norma Shearer (at 37) and Leslie Howard (at 42) were far too old to play the teenage star-crossed lovers, they both did such a wonderful job of showing their love and devotion for each other that you can forgive them. The balcony scene, with the fairyland sets lit by moonlight, is as romantic as anything you'll ever see. Norma Shearer should get more credit these days than she does. She was truly a marvelous actress, but for some reason she doesn't share the same fame as other actresses of the era such as Greta Garbo, Jean Harlow or Myrna Loy. It's a shame, because I've never seen her give a bad performance. Of the other performers, John Barrymore as Mercutio and Basil Rathbone as Tybalt stand out. And take a gander at a VERY young Andy Devine in an early role as the Nurse's assistant. A first class production all around.

• MJS M

  
  One of the first and most famous Shakespeare adaptations was this 1936 MGM film made by the famous George Cukor. The film does not tinker with the play?s setting or tone, it?s a very straightforward and traditional adaptation. The stars, Norma Shearer and Leslie Howard are good in… More
  One of the first and most famous Shakespeare adaptations was this 1936 MGM film made by the famous George Cukor. The film does not tinker with the play?s setting or tone, it?s a very straightforward and traditional adaptation. The stars, Norma Shearer and Leslie Howard are good in their roles, but they?re both way too old for these parts. This play?s narrative requires it?s protagonists to be young, impulsive teenagers and both of these actors are well into their 30s. There?s nothing horribly wrong with the rest of it, but it?s kind of bland and it pales in comparison to the 1968 Franco Zeffirelli version. Still, creatively adapting Shakespeare on film probably wasn?t as established in 1936 as it is now, so I?m willing to cut this one some slack.