STATE THEATRE.

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 70, 24 March 1938, Page 14

STATE THEATRE.

"The Keturn of the Scarlet Pimpernel."

, One of the most popular characters in .< modern fiction is brought tol-the screen again in .'"The Return--.of.jr.the Scarlet Pimpernel," a new London film which opens tomorrow at the State Theatre.

Twenty years ago Baroness Orczy was asked by a famous, publishing house to supply a thrilling serial story in rather a hurry. Within fifteen minutes of receiving ■ the commission she had formulated mentally the story of "The Scarlet Pimpernel." Originally the setting was to be in Russia, £ut for diplomatic reasons Baroness Orczy altered it to the French Hevolution.' Since its first publication the^story has been a best-seller in every language. Three or four years ago Alexander Korda made a film of it, with Leslie Howard as a central character. It was a big success, in fact one of the biggest .box-office successes ever made in this country. "The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel" is the sequel, interesting not merely because of the subject but because it serves to introduce to the public a brilliant young British actor, Barry K. Barnes. Acclaimed ■by the critics as the most promising star discovery of recent years, Barnes is now under long term contract to London Films. Mr. Korda, who lias discovered and groomed more stars than any other British producer, is confident that Barnes will develop into a star of the highest magnitude. "The .Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel" also marks another upward step in the career of Sophie Stewart, one of Scotland's most beautiful contributions to the screen. Other well-known members of the cast include Margaretta Scott, Francis Lister, Anthony Bushell, James Mason, and Henry Oscar.