YMMV / A Midsummer Night's Dream (1935)

• Audience-Coloring Adaptation: Puck's characterization shifted in tradition with how he was shown in this film. In the 19th century, he was often played by a female and given a graceful ballerina persona - with a few sexual innuendos in there too. The mischievous child interpretation caught on here.
• Ensemble Dark Horse: Victor Jory got the unanimous critical praise for his eerie, imposing turn as Oberon.
• He Really Can Act: James Cagney as Bottom was considered a serious miscasting. Upon the film's release, people were surprised at how well he threw himself into the role. Especially during the wedding tableau with some killer comic timing.
• Just Here for Godzilla: Some watch just to see James Cagney in such an against-type role.
• Questionable Casting:
  • Mickey Rooney as Puck was criticised for favoring Box Office clout over acting ability, and to this day there are debates over whether he was atrociously miscast, tolerable or good in the role.
  • Dick Powell viewed his own performance this way and asked to be taken off the film - even admitting to not knowing what any of his lines meant as he said them. His performance is seen in a better light than Mickey Rooney's however.
• Once Original, Now Common: This was a rather daring gamble at the time, considering fantasy stories were rarely adapted for the screen. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and The Wizard of Oz wouldn't come along until a couple of years later, to say nothing about more outlandish fantasy. Similarly, the more artistic touches - such as the fairies' ballet, the glittery filter and fantastical nature of the scenes - were new and impressive.

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