- Character: Oberon
- Actor: Victor Jory (1902-1982)
- Movie: A Midsummer Night's Dream
- Occupation: Fairy King
- Married to: Titania the Fairy Queen
- Hobbies: Eavesdropping on mortals, henchman grooming, flower magic shenanigans, sparkling
- Notable accessory: Crown
- Pros: Fantastic voice, nice outfit, ability to fly
- Cons: Ruff that won't stay down, goofy pout
- Best quote: "Fare thee well, nymph"
Be as thou wast wont to be; See as thou wast wont to see: Dian's bud o'er Cupid's flower Hath such force and blessed power. Now, my Titania My sweet queen Awake.
*The original Shakespeare was heavily butchered for this movie.
Victor Jory is perhaps best known (unfortunately) to modern audiences as the slavedriver from Gone With the Wind. He was also noted for playing The Shadow, with a voice well suited to the part.
Jory was fabulous as Oberon. At first stern and menacing, he later becomes tender and dare we say, a bit goofy. To enjoy Midsummer Night's Dream you will have to endure the scamperings of Mickey Rooney in furry underpants and other silliness. Jory's ruff blows up in his face while he's trying to lead a solemn procession of fairies into the night. His performance is worth the price of admission (and so too is James Cagney's very amusing Bottom). This movie also has a great soundtrack based on Mendelssohn's music for the play, with lovely bass harp notes signifying Oberon's presence.
Warning: Midsummer Night's Dream contains ballet sequences with 5 year old girls not wearing anything above the waist besides bad wigs. It's strange to see in this era, but back then it was considered innocent. Just figured I'd point that out in case it's considered Not Safe For Work at more prudish places of employment.
One more note about the movie versus the original, racier Shakespeare: the deleted lines from Oberon and Titania seem to imply that they both indulged in extramarital dating of mortals. Also, their last scene omits some lines saying that the fairies will be dancing through bedrooms, blessing any offspring conceived on the big night of merriment. Funny to think that Depression-era Hollywood was more staid than Renaissance England.
Buy Midsummer Night's Dream from Amazon.com
Oberon newly in amity with Titania, left, and Victor Jory striking a boxing pose, right.
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