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The Scarecrow is a quirky 1972 made for t.v. film starring Gene Wilder. Boris Sagal directed this Broadway Theatre Archive and has gone quite forgotten in Gene Wilder's filmography. Conquering such subjects as love and witches, this film based on the 17th-century witch scares The Scarecrow does an able job at illustrating the fate which befell those who were even interested in witchcraft. A wonderful ensemble cast including Blythe Danner, Norman Lloyd, The Scarecrow is an intense exploration of forbidden love.

Massachusetts in the 1690's wasn't the easiest place to live in. Young Rachel Merton (Blythe Danner) is interested in witchcraft, and the tools of those who practice it. When she happens upon a gorgeous mirror that is to show one's true self and love, she decides she must have it. Under the cover of a rising sun, she sneaks out of her home not telling Richard Talbot (Pete Duel) to whom she has been promised in marriage. Richard, suspicious of her early morning activities, travels to the witch from whom she buys the mirror, and is furious to see his fiancé giving into the ideas of witchcraft. When the witch is ridiculed by Richard and the girl's Uncle, Justice Gilead Merton (Will Geer) she becomes enraged and promises revenge. Her errand boy, Dickon (Norman Lloyd) tells her about a spell he can perform on a scarecrow to bring it to life and embody the illegitimate child she had with Justice Gilead Merton. Dickon performed the spell and the two begin to teach the man that has sprung to life from the straw, the one they call Lord Ravensbane (Gene Wilder) all the regal habits he will need to know to enact the ultimate revenge of making the niece of the Justice fall in love with a product of witchcraft.

A wonderfully acted piece, The Scarecrow, is filmed exactly as one would see it onstage. There are very few sets and costume changes involved, and what really shines through is the acting of the characters on screen. Some of the dialogue that accompanies a play of this nature was a bit hard to handle after an hour. For instance, the phrase "permit me" was uttered before anyone said anything, or so it seemed. There was also the prevalence of referring to everyone by their name each time they spoke to them, which was enough to wear at the nerves a little bit. Of course, this goes along with watching a film or play of that period, it should still be noted that those idiosyncracies definitely stand out. Each character was extremely convincing in their role. The play was filled with top notch performances, which was the best part of an otherwise stuffy dialogue-centered piece. Wilder's performance was as cautiously angelic as ever, proving how much talent he had as an actor, even in 1972. The Scarecrow is definitely one of Wilder's early performances not to be ignored.

I was curious about this film a few months ago, and lamented that it was not available on tape or DVD anywhere. So imagine my surprise when I found it nestled in the bowels of my own massive video collection a short while later! I'd taped it 10 years earlier and obviously forgotten all about it.

It is a charming little movie--obviously a low-budget, in a "play" format. (Meaning, not any outdoor scenes, all shot inside on a soundstage, etc.) The sets are inexpensive, and the video quality is what you might expect from the era in which is was filmed. (Early '70s.)

Based on an old play, the story moves along nicely, and the entire cast is excellent. Blythe Danner (Gwyneth Paltrow's mom), Will Geer (Grandpa from "The Waltons"), and the late Pete Duel ("Alias Smith and Jones") all do a good job in their rolls.

Of course, Gene Wilder is the star (as the "Scarecrow") and he is very sweet indeed. Interesting to watch, if you can find it. I'm glad I did!

Scarecrow is indeed a masterpiece! Astonishing performances and creative dialogues that still bring good magic to all of us after so many decades. Gene Wilder plays an intricate and innocent scarecrow created by witchcraft, who puppet his way into romance, love and self discovery. Wilder's emotions are wondrous to behold. His beautiful baritone voice brightens and bewitches not only the characters in the play.

Gene Wilder is the reason I purchased a DVD of this play after so many years waiting for it. It is also a delight to watch young Blythe Danner, Nina Foch, Norman Lloyd, Pete Duel and Will Geer performing together.

A must-see-play that will both enchant and entertain you.

This was a bit different, a story set in another time, that was written in an earlier time period, giving you the perspective of that past time about another past time, if that makes sense.

I had read the play some time ago and had no idea it had been performed on TV; I discovered it accidentally and am glad I did! Gene Wilder is great in the title role, giving so much reality to his transformation from a creature of witchcraft to a man with a soul that you can almost believe it actually happened. When he sings that song toward the end of the show, it's so hauntingly effective, he should have gotten award just for that.

Nina Foch was also worth noting, and you'll see familiar TV faces: will Geer (aka Grandpa Walton), Blythe Danner, and Pete Duel, who would soon be meeting a sad fate.

Worth watching!

Only Nathaniel Hawthorne could have written something like this quirky drama. Legendary actress Nina Foch plays a witch and Norman Lloyd plays a devil-type character in New England in the 1600s. Gene Wilder comes to alive as a scarecrow who comes to life and falls in love with the lovely, younger Blythe Danner. Her daughter Gwyneth Paltrow has an amazing resemblance but I prefer Blythe as one of my favorite actresses who never got the fame that her daughter now enjoys. Blythe Danner plays the lovely Rachel, a young girl who buys a mirror from the witch. Again, the story is well-done and told with a first rate cast of characters and a cast who could play them to their audience. They don't show televised stage dramas anymore on television which is a terrible shame because we need them more than ever.

Part of the Broadway Theater Archive Series this remarkable play, shown here in 1972, was written by Percy MacKaye (1875-1956.)

Other than being a powerful addition to the series the draw is of the variety of the actors; many of the actors are well known from the time. Others will want to go back and watch their previous works.

The story called "The Scarecrow" is only called "Scarecrow" on the production cover; This can be confusing when purchasing.

A nice commentary in great prose on the nature of man and revenge. A fund comic version of the time vs. Arthur Miller's "The Crucible."

We started in Massachusetts almost three hundred years ago. A well-designed stage. Rachel Merton (Blythe Danner) purchases a mirror of truth from Goody Rickby (Nina Foch). You will want to keep an eye on the mirror. Gene Wilder plays Lord Ravensbane; he could scare a crow.

As the crow flies so the wind blows.

Wed the girl and sting the justice.

Will things go as planned?

Again, keep your eye on the mirror.

*** no subtitles ***

I finally found a dvd on this movie on Amazon.com. Of course I had to buy it since I've been looking for it for years. I had forgotten how good it really is. The acting is excellent, the show itself is a bit quirky, but totally enjoyable. I had forgotten Pete Duel was in this. I'd recommend it to anyone.

I remember watching this a long time ago. I really liked it and was trying to see if it was on vhs or dvd on the net. I have always liked Gene Wilder and this was one of the quirky movies that really made an impression on me. Too bad I never recorded it.