Reviews (3)

Junkle Craptive
I'm sorry. I hate to say it, because I am a Universal Monsters junkie. But this is the nadir of Universal's horror output. It is much more like a PRC cheapie than one from Universal.
A budget *slightly* bigger than PRC might have employed is evident, but hardly anything monster-related happens until the last five minutes. And then it's a predictable 'so-what?'. Jungle Captive is something of a police procedural, when it doesn't just consist of IOWA (Idiots Out Wandering Around).
The cast includes no one of note, which also hurts a great deal. Rondo Hatton as a movie's marquee draw is not the stuff of which Hollywood classics are made. So we are left with the pulchritude of Vicki Lane (prettier even than Acquanetta but without even her acting abilities), and she is covered in black fur sometimes (but not often, and not until late). Jungle Captive's molasses-like narrative is beyond the capacity of her finely-formed features to save.
There were problems with each of the first two movies in the Ape Woman trilogy (Captive Wild Woman's stock footage and Jungle Woman's leaps in logic and inability to better copy Lewton's formula), but they retain a great deal of silly charm all the same. This one is just plain dull.
Horror was for all intents and purposes dead and buried, until the nuclear age spawned new terrors for damsels to be carried off by. (Woo-hoo!! Giant spiders!!!)
(Did I use enough parentheses in this review?)
P.S. I'm really very sorry. Please don't revoke my Universal Monsters Club Card.

Attack of the "B" People.
This is the final entry in the "Ape-Woman" trilogy from Universal's fright factory. To nobody's surprise, this isn't cinematic art. As a thriller with a modest budget, it serves the purpose. The dark-eyed Acquanetta is gone, and Vicky Lane replaces her as Paula Dupree, the woman with the simian alter-ego. (As if anyone knows Vicky Lane). In a smart move, one of our favorite "B" people, Rondo Hatton, is present as Moloch, Stendahl's assistant. Hatton suffered from a disfiguring bone disease, and he played horror roles without makeup. He is the brute killer with a yen for the attractive young woman the insane Stendahl (Otto Kruger) uses as a captive blood donor to pump the inert Ape-Woman full of human blood. The Ape-Woman is revived and dreadful death ensues amid typical '40s cliches. The spooky fright makeup appears in several scenes. The hirsute she-beast is truly a shambling nightmare. Classic horror fans will have fun with the quasi-werewolf story combined with Frankenstein elements. Serious collectors of classic horror need this one. Don't think about it, just enjoy the nonsense. ;-)

Low grade horror film
This is a low grade horror film so bad it's entertaining. Last of the Paula the ape woman trilogy it's not as dull as "Jungle Woman" and not as mechanical or loaded with stock shots as is "Captive Wild Woman" One of my guilty pleasures. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"That damned elusive Pimpernel" finds a dashing embodiment in Leslie Howard, who has the steel to be an action hero and the wit to hide behind his alter ego: a British fop. Based on Baroness Orczy's novel, the story focuses on the efforts of this British dandy to aid members of the French aristocracy in escaping the guillotines of the French revolution. He also romances Merle Oberon, a beauty forgotten by recent generations, and engages in a wonderfully wicked duel of wits with the humorless enforcer for the French Republicans (Raymond Massey). If somewhat short on swashbuckling, it's long on the kind of costume drama that Hollywood seems to have forgotten how to do. Remade in 1982 for television, in an equally engaging version starring Anthony Andrews. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (31)

SINK ME! ONE OF MY FAVORITE FILMS
My mother, who was a lover of great old movies, introduced me to this film years ago. At first I thought it dull and dry, being too much accustomed to the new special effects that were beginning to dominate film.

The more I watched it the more I came to understand that this film is one of the true classics ever made and features some of the greatest actors and actresses to ever grace the silver screen. It is now easily one of my very favorite movies.

Leslie Howard (Gone With The Wind) stars as Sir Percy Blakeney, a super hero of the French Revolution, who masquerades as a man who should be afraid of his own shadow. I wouldn't be surprised to find that the Zorro stories were spawned in part by exposure to The Scarlet Pimpernel. Merle Oberon (Wuthering Heights), one of the great leading ladies of Hollywood, stars as Lady Marguerite Blakeney, a woman who holds a terrible secret about her past and wonders why her husband is a dandy. Rounding out the cast is Raymond Massey (East of Eden) who stars as the sinister Citizen Chauvelin.

A movie's greatness is shown in whether its remakes offer something new and revolutionary or copy it verbatim. The remake of this movie that aired in the late seventies/early eighties, was a complete copy of this 1934 classic. Don't waste any time on it and relish the classic performance by Howard, Oberon and Massey.

The Movie vs. the Book
I would have liked this movie had I not read the book first. But once you read the book, you realize that this movie is a VERY poor adaption. The book is a lot more exciting and fun. And Leslie Howard was really miscast as Sir Percy Blakeney. He's too.....I guess depressing is the word. The point is that he doesn't do the character any justice. If you want "The Scarlet Pimpernel"....Read the Book.

a very good film
This film has most everyting adventure romance, but also an underlying sadness as its during the French Revolution. Merl Oberon is beautiful does a great acting job and also Leslie Howard plays the Scarlet PImpernel so very very well. Hes very talented in all his films this I think is one of his best.

A Decent Old Movie Gets Shortsheeted.
I had a tattered old copy of this movie on video for years that had finally begun to degrade due to the number of passes it had endured through the VCR. When I brought this DVD home I had such high anticipation to see the classic on a digital format, but was sorely disappointed to find out that Madacy Entertainment had shortened the movie by removing scenes from it. Now, why they had done this is unknown, but it was a great disappointment to both me and my wife.
I constantly wonder why the scenes aren't there (being in video post production myself), and often question whether the DVD has an error in it's encoding and is skipping the scenes, or if Madacy for some reason took the scenes out due to time constraints.
In spite of this flaw, the movie is still a classic.

A Story for Our Times
Leslie Howard and Merle Oberon, I think, are in their most romantic roles ever.

This movie is based on the legendary story of the Scarlet Pimpernel, risen in a time of rampant Leftism (revolutionary France, set on social and political implosion) and burgeoise England (eventually saved only by the rise of Rev. Wesley).

My wife is one for early romantic movies, but I am the one who thinks the most romantic and tear-jerking scene (don't psychoanalyze me here -- I think I just love the play of raw courage vs. naivite) I have ever seen is in this movie. Holding Oberon by the shoulders in his palms, Howard stares her straight in the eyes, "What price did you pay?!!" he declares. This is the crux of their relationship.

The political savior, Howard, is in a much more subtle plot -- saving men, women, and children one at a time from the reach of hard-Leftists set on destroying stability in Europe militantly and in blood in order to rebuild the society under their own ideal.

Perhaps many people won't get it, but this movie is well worth the watching no matter by whom, a lesson for those who can think, and real entertainment for those who will not. ... Read more

Reviews (31)

SINK ME! ONE OF MY FAVORITE FILMS
My mother, who was a lover of great old movies, introduced me to this film years ago. At first I thought it dull and dry, being too much accustomed to the new special effects that were beginning to dominate film.

The more I watched it the more I came to understand that this film is one of the true classics ever made and features some of the greatest actors and actresses to ever grace the silver screen. It is now easily one of my very favorite movies.

Leslie Howard (Gone With The Wind) stars as Sir Percy Blakeney, a super hero of the French Revolution, who masquerades as a man who should be afraid of his own shadow. I wouldn't be surprised to find that the Zorro stories were spawned in part by exposure to The Scarlet Pimpernel. Merle Oberon (Wuthering Heights), one of the great leading ladies of Hollywood, stars as Lady Marguerite Blakeney, a woman who holds a terrible secret about her past and wonders why her husband is a dandy. Rounding out the cast is Raymond Massey (East of Eden) who stars as the sinister Citizen Chauvelin.

A movie's greatness is shown in whether its remakes offer something new and revolutionary or copy it verbatim. The remake of this movie that aired in the late seventies/early eighties, was a complete copy of this 1934 classic. Don't waste any time on it and relish the classic performance by Howard, Oberon and Massey.

The Movie vs. the Book
I would have liked this movie had I not read the book first. But once you read the book, you realize that this movie is a VERY poor adaption. The book is a lot more exciting and fun. And Leslie Howard was really miscast as Sir Percy Blakeney. He's too.....I guess depressing is the word. The point is that he doesn't do the character any justice. If you want "The Scarlet Pimpernel"....Read the Book.

a very good film
This film has most everyting adventure romance, but also an underlying sadness as its during the French Revolution. Merl Oberon is beautiful does a great acting job and also Leslie Howard plays the Scarlet PImpernel so very very well. Hes very talented in all his films this I think is one of his best.

A Decent Old Movie Gets Shortsheeted.
I had a tattered old copy of this movie on video for years that had finally begun to degrade due to the number of passes it had endured through the VCR. When I brought this DVD home I had such high anticipation to see the classic on a digital format, but was sorely disappointed to find out that Madacy Entertainment had shortened the movie by removing scenes from it. Now, why they had done this is unknown, but it was a great disappointment to both me and my wife.
I constantly wonder why the scenes aren't there (being in video post production myself), and often question whether the DVD has an error in it's encoding and is skipping the scenes, or if Madacy for some reason took the scenes out due to time constraints.
In spite of this flaw, the movie is still a classic.

A Story for Our Times
Leslie Howard and Merle Oberon, I think, are in their most romantic roles ever.

This movie is based on the legendary story of the Scarlet Pimpernel, risen in a time of rampant Leftism (revolutionary France, set on social and political implosion) and burgeoise England (eventually saved only by the rise of Rev. Wesley).

My wife is one for early romantic movies, but I am the one who thinks the most romantic and tear-jerking scene (don't psychoanalyze me here -- I think I just love the play of raw courage vs. naivite) I have ever seen is in this movie. Holding Oberon by the shoulders in his palms, Howard stares her straight in the eyes, "What price did you pay?!!" he declares. This is the crux of their relationship.

The political savior, Howard, is in a much more subtle plot -- saving men, women, and children one at a time from the reach of hard-Leftists set on destroying stability in Europe militantly and in blood in order to rebuild the society under their own ideal.

Perhaps many people won't get it, but this movie is well worth the watching no matter by whom, a lesson for those who can think, and real entertainment for those who will not. ... Read more

Reviews (31)

SINK ME! ONE OF MY FAVORITE FILMS
My mother, who was a lover of great old movies, introduced me to this film years ago. At first I thought it dull and dry, being too much accustomed to the new special effects that were beginning to dominate film.

The more I watched it the more I came to understand that this film is one of the true classics ever made and features some of the greatest actors and actresses to ever grace the silver screen. It is now easily one of my very favorite movies.

Leslie Howard (Gone With The Wind) stars as Sir Percy Blakeney, a super hero of the French Revolution, who masquerades as a man who should be afraid of his own shadow. I wouldn't be surprised to find that the Zorro stories were spawned in part by exposure to The Scarlet Pimpernel. Merle Oberon (Wuthering Heights), one of the great leading ladies of Hollywood, stars as Lady Marguerite Blakeney, a woman who holds a terrible secret about her past and wonders why her husband is a dandy. Rounding out the cast is Raymond Massey (East of Eden) who stars as the sinister Citizen Chauvelin.

A movie's greatness is shown in whether its remakes offer something new and revolutionary or copy it verbatim. The remake of this movie that aired in the late seventies/early eighties, was a complete copy of this 1934 classic. Don't waste any time on it and relish the classic performance by Howard, Oberon and Massey.

The Movie vs. the Book
I would have liked this movie had I not read the book first. But once you read the book, you realize that this movie is a VERY poor adaption. The book is a lot more exciting and fun. And Leslie Howard was really miscast as Sir Percy Blakeney. He's too.....I guess depressing is the word. The point is that he doesn't do the character any justice. If you want "The Scarlet Pimpernel"....Read the Book.

a very good film
This film has most everyting adventure romance, but also an underlying sadness as its during the French Revolution. Merl Oberon is beautiful does a great acting job and also Leslie Howard plays the Scarlet PImpernel so very very well. Hes very talented in all his films this I think is one of his best.

A Decent Old Movie Gets Shortsheeted.
I had a tattered old copy of this movie on video for years that had finally begun to degrade due to the number of passes it had endured through the VCR. When I brought this DVD home I had such high anticipation to see the classic on a digital format, but was sorely disappointed to find out that Madacy Entertainment had shortened the movie by removing scenes from it. Now, why they had done this is unknown, but it was a great disappointment to both me and my wife.
I constantly wonder why the scenes aren't there (being in video post production myself), and often question whether the DVD has an error in it's encoding and is skipping the scenes, or if Madacy for some reason took the scenes out due to time constraints.
In spite of this flaw, the movie is still a classic.

A Story for Our Times
Leslie Howard and Merle Oberon, I think, are in their most romantic roles ever.

This movie is based on the legendary story of the Scarlet Pimpernel, risen in a time of rampant Leftism (revolutionary France, set on social and political implosion) and burgeoise England (eventually saved only by the rise of Rev. Wesley).

My wife is one for early romantic movies, but I am the one who thinks the most romantic and tear-jerking scene (don't psychoanalyze me here -- I think I just love the play of raw courage vs. naivite) I have ever seen is in this movie. Holding Oberon by the shoulders in his palms, Howard stares her straight in the eyes, "What price did you pay?!!" he declares. This is the crux of their relationship.

The political savior, Howard, is in a much more subtle plot -- saving men, women, and children one at a time from the reach of hard-Leftists set on destroying stability in Europe militantly and in blood in order to rebuild the society under their own ideal.

Perhaps many people won't get it, but this movie is well worth the watching no matter by whom, a lesson for those who can think, and real entertainment for those who will not. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"That damned elusive Pimpernel" finds a dashing embodiment in Leslie Howard, who has the steel to be an action hero and the wit to hide behind his alter ego: a British fop. Based on Baroness Orczy's novel, the story focuses on the efforts of this British dandy to aid members of the French aristocracy in escaping the guillotines of the French revolution. He also romances Merle Oberon, a beauty forgotten by recent generations, and engages in a wonderfully wicked duel of wits with the humorless enforcer for the French Republicans (Raymond Massey). If somewhat short on swashbuckling, it's long on the kind of costume drama that Hollywood seems to have forgotten how to do. Remade in 1982 for television, in an equally engaging version starring Anthony Andrews. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (31)

SINK ME! ONE OF MY FAVORITE FILMS
My mother, who was a lover of great old movies, introduced me to this film years ago. At first I thought it dull and dry, being too much accustomed to the new special effects that were beginning to dominate film.

The more I watched it the more I came to understand that this film is one of the true classics ever made and features some of the greatest actors and actresses to ever grace the silver screen. It is now easily one of my very favorite movies.

Leslie Howard (Gone With The Wind) stars as Sir Percy Blakeney, a super hero of the French Revolution, who masquerades as a man who should be afraid of his own shadow. I wouldn't be surprised to find that the Zorro stories were spawned in part by exposure to The Scarlet Pimpernel. Merle Oberon (Wuthering Heights), one of the great leading ladies of Hollywood, stars as Lady Marguerite Blakeney, a woman who holds a terrible secret about her past and wonders why her husband is a dandy. Rounding out the cast is Raymond Massey (East of Eden) who stars as the sinister Citizen Chauvelin.

A movie's greatness is shown in whether its remakes offer something new and revolutionary or copy it verbatim. The remake of this movie that aired in the late seventies/early eighties, was a complete copy of this 1934 classic. Don't waste any time on it and relish the classic performance by Howard, Oberon and Massey.

The Movie vs. the Book
I would have liked this movie had I not read the book first. But once you read the book, you realize that this movie is a VERY poor adaption. The book is a lot more exciting and fun. And Leslie Howard was really miscast as Sir Percy Blakeney. He's too.....I guess depressing is the word. The point is that he doesn't do the character any justice. If you want "The Scarlet Pimpernel"....Read the Book.

a very good film
This film has most everyting adventure romance, but also an underlying sadness as its during the French Revolution. Merl Oberon is beautiful does a great acting job and also Leslie Howard plays the Scarlet PImpernel so very very well. Hes very talented in all his films this I think is one of his best.

A Decent Old Movie Gets Shortsheeted.
I had a tattered old copy of this movie on video for years that had finally begun to degrade due to the number of passes it had endured through the VCR. When I brought this DVD home I had such high anticipation to see the classic on a digital format, but was sorely disappointed to find out that Madacy Entertainment had shortened the movie by removing scenes from it. Now, why they had done this is unknown, but it was a great disappointment to both me and my wife.
I constantly wonder why the scenes aren't there (being in video post production myself), and often question whether the DVD has an error in it's encoding and is skipping the scenes, or if Madacy for some reason took the scenes out due to time constraints.
In spite of this flaw, the movie is still a classic.

A Story for Our Times
Leslie Howard and Merle Oberon, I think, are in their most romantic roles ever.

This movie is based on the legendary story of the Scarlet Pimpernel, risen in a time of rampant Leftism (revolutionary France, set on social and political implosion) and burgeoise England (eventually saved only by the rise of Rev. Wesley).

My wife is one for early romantic movies, but I am the one who thinks the most romantic and tear-jerking scene (don't psychoanalyze me here -- I think I just love the play of raw courage vs. naivite) I have ever seen is in this movie. Holding Oberon by the shoulders in his palms, Howard stares her straight in the eyes, "What price did you pay?!!" he declares. This is the crux of their relationship.

The political savior, Howard, is in a much more subtle plot -- saving men, women, and children one at a time from the reach of hard-Leftists set on destroying stability in Europe militantly and in blood in order to rebuild the society under their own ideal.

Perhaps many people won't get it, but this movie is well worth the watching no matter by whom, a lesson for those who can think, and real entertainment for those who will not. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Good sequel
Good sequel to "The Mummy's Hand" chronicles Kharis (Lon Chaney) who seeks to destroy every last member of the expedition from the previous film. All of the usual ingredients to making the perfect Universal horror film (Good acting, makeup, creepy atmosphere). The only problem is that there is far too much stock footage from "The Mummy's Hand", and in the final scenes with the angry mob, there even traces of "Frankenstein", and "Bride of Frankenstein." 4 1/2 stars.

Eerie entry in Universal's Mummy series
"The Mummy's Tomb", despite having an at times unimaginative narrative is my personal favourite of the 1940's cycle of Mummy films that basically found an audience with wartime moviegoers anxious to avoid the distressing news closing in on them in the real world outside.

The direction certainly is sluggish but what attracts me to this production is it's great atmosphere and the sense of eerieness that it manages to project despite its small budget. I agree totally with past reviewers that there is far too much use of stock footage from "The Mummy's Hand" and from the classic "Frankenstein", however once its own story gets under way it becomes a reasonably chilling tale with some great characters and sets utilised.

The main characters of the film are a fairly bland lot and as in most of these types of productions its the "baddies' who are the ones that steal the show. Dick Foran and Wallace Ford, the two holdovers from the earlier film are quickly dispatched by a rampaging Kharis (Lon Chaney Jnr) so centre stage is taken by John Hubbard in the role of Steve's son John Banning and Elyse Knox as his love interest. Both are not terribly exciting performers and the film is stolen from them in my belief by Turhan Bey in the role of the new sinister High Priest Mehemet Bey who is instructed by the dying George Zucco to take on the task of ensuring the proper revenge is handed out to the despoilers and their loved ones, of the Princess Anuka's tomb. Turhan Bey really makes this film with his sinister portrayal and his deep voice which suits the atmosphere to perfection. The best parts of the film are his scenes with Kharis and in the climax of the story when he tries to claim Isobel (Elyse Knox) as his own bride.

The film, despite its small budget, is I believe a very handsome looking production. Universal had a unique way of making alot of their second unit productions have an expensive look about them and "The Mummy's Tomb" is no exception. The eerie scenes in the graveyard, the temple sets and the night scenes with Kharis hunting down his next prey are extremely well done and the windy dark settings for alot of the story really set the scene for an enjoyable mystery. Universal's choice of background music is also well above par for this general type of film and really adds it the sense of drama. The idea of relocating the action to Mapleton in the USA is a great idea and the story has a logical flow to it as Turhan Bey brings Kharis over in a steam ship to carry out his revenge on the surviving members of the Banning exhibition. Bey's dialogue in instructing Kharis of his plans are very well done with alot of Egyptian lore used to make th eproceedings that bit more authentic.

Lon Chaney Jnr, son of the famed Lon Chaney of the silent era plays here for the first time Kharis, the man condemmned to eternal suffering for loving above his station. He would return in the role for the last two installments in Universal's Mummy sagas, "The Mummy's Ghost" and "The Mummy's Curse" both released in 1944. He is effective in a role which of course doesn't give him much acting scope however he does deliver the right elements of terror and even tragedy to make Kharis a more dimensional type of character if that is possible for an Egyptian Mummy that has been dead for 3 thousand years!

"The Mummy's Tomb" provides some good old fashioned thrills and as long as you aren't into excessive gore and violence you will find the film a good way to spend 70 minutes. I always enjoy it and find Turhan Bey in particular a real plus in making "The Mummy's Tomb" in (my opinion) the best of the Mummy cycle. Enjoy it late at night on a windy dark evening!

Not as good as the others
"The Mummy's Tomb" is most definitely the worst of all the mummy films. All the mummy does is "desecrate all those who defiled the tomb of Ananka". The way the killings are represented is just horrible because they come with no exciting turning points. The other thing about this movie is the fact that it is a review of what has happened in all this past time.

And as the killings slowly come to an end, the priest commanding Kharis is simply murdered by a gunshot, not because he betrays Kharis. I don't know why it is so, but it always seems better when the priests are killed by betraying Kharis. Plus, the mummy makes a stupid looking and boring escape, and isn't closely dealt with by the "star" of the show, which was meant to be the actor playing John Banning.

GO LON CHANEY
This movie is great. This movie is a sequal to THE MUMMYS HAND so if you havent seen that movie ,you should see it before you see this. The acting in this movie is great. Most of the people who were in THE MUMMYS HAND are in this. Like DICK FORAN AND WALLACE FORD. Its just they die throuout the movie.And if you like this movie why not watch THE MUMMYS GHOST and THE MUMMYS CURSE. Both follow ups to this movie.

Not as bad if one values the cinematics over the literal
The best thing this film has going for it, is the cinematic flourishes of once master DP George Robinson. Each frame after the other is beautifully composed and lit to perfection. In a film like this--rountine plot, tepid, dull, flat direction, and some rather dry, dim-witted acting. Why care? So just sit right back and saver the visual poetry and the technique that went into it all. The real Star is Robinson, forget about Harold Young. He was just some untalented hack director who got the job becasue Universal couldn't afford to hire any of the big-guns...u know like James Whale, Edgar G. Ulmer, Robert Siodmak..ect ect. Altold, on a pictorial stand-point, The Mummy's Tomb ranks as one on Universal's best looking chillers of the 1940's. Yet when it all boils down to the facts, what a visually dazzaling film becomes, is an embaresment to what was one of Universal's biggest grossing films of 1942. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

GREAT FUN!!
Back in the 1970s, when I was growing up, every Sunday afternoon our local TV station would broadcast these black and white horror classics under the program's name "Horror Theater". What joy it is to have them now on video. They are especially fun to watch during Halloween time and of course, on late Sunday afternoons.

This one, made in 1944, is great fun. Voodoo, superstition, wind howling, murder, weird island chant music over the phone....its all here.

It has the perfect cast with of course Evelyn Ankers and Elizabeth Harrison as the standouts. Anne Gwynne is lovely and fragile as always and of course, Lon Chaney as the man all these women are mad for playing a professor torn between logic and reason.

Oh how I enjoy these films. No one could make them like Universal who knew how to do it best!! If you're a fan of these old Horror classics ..... you won't be disappointed!!!

Ankers-Russell-: Wow!
Scream Queen Evelyn Ankers was rarely given anything juicy in her stream of B-classics, mostly in horror. But as Illona, the treacherous villain, she's able to snap and snarl with the best of them. Not only is she a treat but the strange-looking Elizabeth Russell (who usually worked for Cult Director Val Lewton)who resembles a real Cat Woman (as she was in Lewton's "Cat People")dishes it right back to Ankers. Chaney is such a lumbering old hambone, we wonder what the hell all these women were fighting over (not to mention one of his femme students whose deliriously in love with Hambone Chaney). Anne Gwynne is as pretty and vacant as a sugar plum fairy. Shot in seven days, Ankers and Russell are worth watching--and wishing that Universal had used their considerable talents to better advantage through both their careers.

Evelyn Ankers - what a diva!
Weird Woman is a camp classic that deserves a cult following. Ankers, normally cast as a good girl, here plays a conniving stalker. Elizabth Russell also hams it up as a bitter academic wife, who ultimately turns on Ankers. Anne Gwynne, as the lily white voodoo girl from the jungle, is laughably vacant as usual. A LOT OF FUN! ... Read more

Reviews (31)

SINK ME! ONE OF MY FAVORITE FILMS
My mother, who was a lover of great old movies, introduced me to this film years ago. At first I thought it dull and dry, being too much accustomed to the new special effects that were beginning to dominate film.

The more I watched it the more I came to understand that this film is one of the true classics ever made and features some of the greatest actors and actresses to ever grace the silver screen. It is now easily one of my very favorite movies.

Leslie Howard (Gone With The Wind) stars as Sir Percy Blakeney, a super hero of the French Revolution, who masquerades as a man who should be afraid of his own shadow. I wouldn't be surprised to find that the Zorro stories were spawned in part by exposure to The Scarlet Pimpernel. Merle Oberon (Wuthering Heights), one of the great leading ladies of Hollywood, stars as Lady Marguerite Blakeney, a woman who holds a terrible secret about her past and wonders why her husband is a dandy. Rounding out the cast is Raymond Massey (East of Eden) who stars as the sinister Citizen Chauvelin.

A movie's greatness is shown in whether its remakes offer something new and revolutionary or copy it verbatim. The remake of this movie that aired in the late seventies/early eighties, was a complete copy of this 1934 classic. Don't waste any time on it and relish the classic performance by Howard, Oberon and Massey.

The Movie vs. the Book
I would have liked this movie had I not read the book first. But once you read the book, you realize that this movie is a VERY poor adaption. The book is a lot more exciting and fun. And Leslie Howard was really miscast as Sir Percy Blakeney. He's too.....I guess depressing is the word. The point is that he doesn't do the character any justice. If you want "The Scarlet Pimpernel"....Read the Book.

a very good film
This film has most everyting adventure romance, but also an underlying sadness as its during the French Revolution. Merl Oberon is beautiful does a great acting job and also Leslie Howard plays the Scarlet PImpernel so very very well. Hes very talented in all his films this I think is one of his best.

A Decent Old Movie Gets Shortsheeted.
I had a tattered old copy of this movie on video for years that had finally begun to degrade due to the number of passes it had endured through the VCR. When I brought this DVD home I had such high anticipation to see the classic on a digital format, but was sorely disappointed to find out that Madacy Entertainment had shortened the movie by removing scenes from it. Now, why they had done this is unknown, but it was a great disappointment to both me and my wife.
I constantly wonder why the scenes aren't there (being in video post production myself), and often question whether the DVD has an error in it's encoding and is skipping the scenes, or if Madacy for some reason took the scenes out due to time constraints.
In spite of this flaw, the movie is still a classic.

A Story for Our Times
Leslie Howard and Merle Oberon, I think, are in their most romantic roles ever.

This movie is based on the legendary story of the Scarlet Pimpernel, risen in a time of rampant Leftism (revolutionary France, set on social and political implosion) and burgeoise England (eventually saved only by the rise of Rev. Wesley).

My wife is one for early romantic movies, but I am the one who thinks the most romantic and tear-jerking scene (don't psychoanalyze me here -- I think I just love the play of raw courage vs. naivite) I have ever seen is in this movie. Holding Oberon by the shoulders in his palms, Howard stares her straight in the eyes, "What price did you pay?!!" he declares. This is the crux of their relationship.

The political savior, Howard, is in a much more subtle plot -- saving men, women, and children one at a time from the reach of hard-Leftists set on destroying stability in Europe militantly and in blood in order to rebuild the society under their own ideal.

Perhaps many people won't get it, but this movie is well worth the watching no matter by whom, a lesson for those who can think, and real entertainment for those who will not. ... Read more

Description

A young boy is taunted mercilessly by the other boys in town - until he gets some help from the ghost of a Brooklyn Dodger, who turns him into a great baseball player. ... Read more