The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934)
Most of The Scarlet Pimpernel is very dry, so you’d better love old movies if you’re going to sit through it. I’d already been spoiled by watching the David Niven version first, which is much funnier and livelier, so I found Leslie Howard’s rendition lacking. But, I am quite biased. I think everything would be better with David Niven.
If you do like Leslie, you’ll like seeing him in this undercover role. By day, he’s a respectable gentleman in high society, married to an oblivious Merle Oberon. By night, he’s the Scarlet Pimpernel, donning disguises and helping innocent victims escape the fate of the guillotine. When Raymond Massey offers to spare Merle’s brother’s life if she tells him who the Pimpernel is, she goes on a mission to find out. Little does she know, he’s right under her own roof!
My favorite scene was one of the only ones in which Leslie was able to let his guard down for a moment. Most of the movie, he’s either extremely foppish or purposely dry and affected; it tends to get old fast. But in this scene, he accuses his wife Merle of being in love with the Scarlet Pimpernel and warns her of the dangers of loving a hero figure. “For all you know, he might be a married man who’s deeply in love with his wife,” he says, leaning in close to see if she catches his deeper meaning. “Would any man who was in love with his wife leave her continually to face death?” she asks. He hesitates for a moment, considering telling her the truth, and then puts the mask of bravado back on. He jokes about his tailor, his bootmaker, and leaves her as confused as ever.
If you like the story and Leslie Howard, you can definitely give this one a try. I’m more of a Niv fan, but I do appreciate Leslie in some comedies.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "Classic Movies Kristine Rose" for posting!
More Merle Oberon movies here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1949's The Fighting Pimpernel here!
If you do like Leslie, you’ll like seeing him in this undercover role. By day, he’s a respectable gentleman in high society, married to an oblivious Merle Oberon. By night, he’s the Scarlet Pimpernel, donning disguises and helping innocent victims escape the fate of the guillotine. When Raymond Massey offers to spare Merle’s brother’s life if she tells him who the Pimpernel is, she goes on a mission to find out. Little does she know, he’s right under her own roof!
My favorite scene was one of the only ones in which Leslie was able to let his guard down for a moment. Most of the movie, he’s either extremely foppish or purposely dry and affected; it tends to get old fast. But in this scene, he accuses his wife Merle of being in love with the Scarlet Pimpernel and warns her of the dangers of loving a hero figure. “For all you know, he might be a married man who’s deeply in love with his wife,” he says, leaning in close to see if she catches his deeper meaning. “Would any man who was in love with his wife leave her continually to face death?” she asks. He hesitates for a moment, considering telling her the truth, and then puts the mask of bravado back on. He jokes about his tailor, his bootmaker, and leaves her as confused as ever.
If you like the story and Leslie Howard, you can definitely give this one a try. I’m more of a Niv fan, but I do appreciate Leslie in some comedies.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "Classic Movies Kristine Rose" for posting!
More Merle Oberon movies here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1949's The Fighting Pimpernel here!