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The Scarlet Letter (1911 film)

The Scarlet Letter
Directed byJoseph W. Smiley
George Loane Tucker
Written byHerbert Brenon
Produced byIMP Studios
StarringKing Baggot
Lucille Young
William Robert Daly
Distributed byMotion Picture Distributors and Sales Company
Release date
  • April 27, 1911 (1911-04-27)
Running time
Approx. 15 minutes (1 reel)
CountryUnited States
LanguagesSilent
English intertitles

The Scarlet Letter (1911) is a silent drama motion picture short starring King Baggot, Lucille Young, and William Robert Daly.

Directed by Joseph W. Smiley and George Loane Tucker and produced by Carl Laemmle's IMP Studios, the screenplay was adapted by Herbert Brenon based on the historical 1850 novel of the same title by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

This second silent version of The Scarlet Letter was IMP's first "IMP Film De Luxe." While only 1000 feet (300 m) in length, it was at that time considered a feature film. It was a critical success and showcased IMP star King Baggot as a serious actor.

Synopsis

Set in 17th-century Massachusetts, it is the classic story of a young woman, Hester Prynne (played by Lucille Young), who is forced by her Puritan community to wear a scarlet "A" (for adultery) because she had a daughter by another man while her husband was away.

Cast