BARONESS ORCZY’S SON

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 9 November 1935, Page 9

BARONESS ORCZY’S SON

■ Advises on “The Scarlet Pimpernel” Advice on matters of historical accuracy in the making of the new film “The Scarlet Pimpernel” was provided by Mr John Orczy-Bar-stow, son of Tile Baroness Orczy. There were many different 1 problems of dress, manners . and customs of the period which could only be accurately settled by someone who had made an exhaustive study of. that period of history. Besides being an Oxford 8.A., Mr Orczy-Barstow is also Professor of English at Lausanne University and came over to this country specially to assist in the making of this world-famous story. The “Pimpernel” story was originally written in 1903 as a tale of adventure in Russia for a newspaper serial. At that time the relations between England and Russia were somewhat strained and . the serial was withdrawn after two instalments. Baroness Orczy then adapted the story to the French Revolution period. Perhaps the choosing of the title “The Scarlet Pimpernel”—an English roadside flower—was influenced by the ’ fact that the 'Baroness has always been 1 a keen botanist. The enormous popularity of the book can be gathered from the'fact that over three and a half million copies have been sold in Great Britain alone. The total sales reach a staggering figure, as it has been translated into 23 languages, including Chinese, Tamil and Braille. The hovel was refused by 14 publishers before being accepted. The famous .stage play of the same name was presented over 5000 times, but this, number of performances will probably be multiplied a hundred times by Alexander Korda’s new film which is having world-wide release bv United Artists and is being shown at the Majestic Theatre next Saturday.