Puritan Passions is a 1923 silent film directed by Frank Tuttle, based on Percy MacKaye's 1908 play The Scarecrow, which was itself based on Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story "Feathertop". The film stars Glenn Hunter, Mary Astor, and stage actor Osgood Perkins. It follows the play faithfully, except that Osgood Perkins' character is called Dickon in the play and Dr. Nicholas in the movie, and Justice Gilead Merton is renamed Justice Gilead Wingate in the film. It is the only theatrical film version – so far – of Percy MacKaye's play, though there were previously two silent film versions of Hawthorne's original story. Plot Goody Rickby is impregnated by the wealthy Gilead Wingate, after which he refuses to accept the responsibility of fatherhood. Goody decides to use black magic to get revenge on Wingate. She succeeds in summoning Satan before her, and together they concoct a scheme to punish the man who wronged her. Satan creates a living being from a scarecrow and the creature adopts the human identity of "Lord Ravensbane" so that he can function unsuspected in society. Satan instructs his creature to seduce Wingate's niece Rachel and fool the villagers into believing the Wingates are all witches. Ravensbane develops emotions and a soul, however, and genuinely falls in love with the young lady, foiling the Devil's plans. Cast Glenn Hunter - Lord Ravensbane/The Scarecrow Mary Astor - Rachel Osgood Perkins - Dr. Nicholas Maude Hill - Goody Rickby Frank Tweed - Gillead Wingate Dwight Wiman - Bugby Thomas Chalmers - The Minister Elliot Cabot - Richard Talbot Preservation status This film is now lost. References Further reading "Publicity Stunts: Orchestrations Written Specifically for 'Puritan Passions". Film News. October 15, 1923. Vol. 1, No. 5 "Converse Score for Film Heard at Cameo Theater". Musical America. October 27, 1923. Vol. 39, Iss. 1 "'Puritan Passions Given Boston Pre-View'". Motion Picture News. January 12, 1924. Vol. XXIX, No. 2 M. J. (July 17, 1924). "Reviews and New Music: 'Scarecrow Sketches for the Piano' by Frederick S. Converse". Musical Courier. Vol. 89, Iss. 3. p. 21 External links American films based on plays American silent feature films Films directed by Frank Tuttle American black-and-white films 1923 films Films based on works by Nathaniel Hawthorne 1923 comedy-drama films Lost American films Films distributed by W. W. Hodkinson Corporation 1923 lost films Lost comedy-drama films Films based on adaptations 1920s American films Silent American