AVON

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21578, 14 September 1935, Page 12

AVON

•"THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL" / IN THIRD WEEK

' There are few :more colourful pages In history than the French Revolution, and to many people all the impressions of the social upheaval that changed the face 'of Europe are epitomised by novels—"A Tale of Two Cities" • in the last century, and the excellent novels of Baroness Orczy in this. "The Scarlet Pimpernel," which yesterday began its third week ,at the Avon Theatre, brings to the screen the very life and spirit of the debonair English hero, whose elusive progress on errands- of rescue from cells and tumbrils has given such pleasure to novel readers. Those who read and liked Baroness Orczy's novels could not but like "The Scarlet Pimpernel," and those who have not read them can recover what they have missed in the attraction of a really good film. The acting in "The Scarlet Pimpernel" is equal to the story, and beyond that there is little that need be said. Such names as Leslie Howard, Merle. Oberon, Raymond Massey,' and Anthony Bushel! need no written guarantee as surety of the entertainment they will provide in any film, and when to their abilit' is added a story of the quality of "The Scarlet Pimpernel," picturegoers are assuredof sparkling entertainment. And "The. Scarlet Pimpernel" does sparkle, with cleverly \ amusing dialogue, colourful costumes, and historical backgrounds that are as accurate as they are full of interest. Alexander Korda- has many brilliant films to his credit, and'"'The Scarlet Pimpernel" might have- been written for his production. In each of its many phases, the film has caught the spirit of the,author, and the.tempo of the, stirring timefe :with which it deals. There' are no • jarring features, and nothing to mar enjoyment from beginning to end of an exciting production. Leslie Howard, the height of foppish-, ness the one moment, and the epitome of clever elusiveness the next, is an admirable Sir Percy. EJakeney, and he plays the dual role with ability and restraint. In previous productions on both sides of the "Atlantic Howard i has shown himself as an actor of consummate, ability, and in this his latest production he excels himself.. The very nature of the film called for acting of the highest order,- and Howard fulfilled every requirement. Merle Oberon gives admirable support as Lady Blakeney. The Story is, of course, highly romantic, and although the film condensation demands an accentuation of some of the probabilities, th's does not detract from the entertainment. For sheer excitement the film would be hard to beat, and th« effect is the greater because of the atmosphere gamed front, the excellent settings and good photography. Accuracy of historical treatment is combined with the attractions that aopeal to a modern audience in a thoroughly sat'sfy'ng manner, and the attention that has plainly been shown to detail aids considerably in maintaining the interest of the whole production.