Romeo and Juliet (1936 film)

For other uses, see Romeo and Juliet (disambiguation).
Romeo and Juliet
1936 US Theatrical Poster
Directed byGeorge Cukor
Written by
Based onRomeo and Juliet
1597 play
by William Shakespeare
Produced byIrving Thalberg
Starring
CinematographyWilliam H. Daniels
Edited byMargaret Booth
Music byHerbert Stothart
Production
company
Distributed byLoew's Inc.
Release date
  • August 20, 1936 (1936-08-20)
Running time
125 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$2 million[1][2]
Box office
  • $962,000 (Domestic earnings)
  • $1,113,000 (Foreign earnings)
[1][2]

Romeo and Juliet is a 1936 American film adapted from the play by William Shakespeare, directed by George Cukor from a screenplay by Talbot Jennings. The film stars Leslie Howard as Romeo and Norma Shearer as Juliet,[3][4] and the supporting cast features John Barrymore, Basil Rathbone, and Andy Devine.

Cukor's 1936 adaptation stays largely faithful to Shakespeare's text but makes use of the cinematic medium to enhance the drama and romance of the story. The film, set against lavish sets and costumes, was a grand production for its time and featured Norma Shearer and Leslie Howard in the titular roles.

  1. ^ a b Glancy, H. Mark (1999). When Hollywood Loved Britain: The Hollywood 'British' Film 1939–1945. Manchester University Press. ISBN 0-7190-4852-4.
  2. ^ a b The Eddie Mannix Ledger, Los Angeles: Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study.
  3. ^ Variety film review; August 26, 1936, page 20.
  4. ^ Harrison's Reports film review; September 19, 1936, page 150.