The Adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel 1955-1956
Directors: David MacDonald, Dennis Vance, Michael McCarthy, Wolf Rilla
Writers: Ralph Gilbert Bettison, Marius Goring, Michael Hogan,
Angus MacPhail, John Moore, Diana Morgan, Joel Murcott,
Baroness Emmuska Orczy (from her novels)
Rôle: Sir Percy Blakeney/The Scarlet Pimpernel
Broadcast: 28 September 1955 to 22 June 1956 ITC
Synopsis: Sir Percy Blakeney, Baronet, is a notorious fop and hedonistic member of the Prince of Wales's court, but he is secretly the 'Scarlet Pimpernel', a mysterious figure who rescues innocents from the Reign of Terror taking place in France and transports them to safety in England.
Comment: This is the first drama series to appear on the newly launched ITV in 1955. Marius is so absolutely delightful and funny, I wish that that they had gone on to make a second series and introduce the character of Percy's wife Marguerite St Just. They did have plans to make further episodes but the budget per episode was cut from about £3500 to £2000 which would have severely hampered the quality of the series, so no more were filmed. Costumes sketches exist by the Motley Group for Sir Percy/The Scarlet Pimpernel for episodes that were never made.
Trivia: The large pink signet ring that Marius wears as Sir Percy is one he wore throughout his career, starting in the film Highly Dangerous (1950) and featuring in a number of films and television shows thereafter.
Availability: DVD (Network) of all eighteen episodes in a 3-disc set is available online. Release Date: 30 July 2012.
The Scarlet Pimpernel unfilmed scripts with handwritten notes by Marius Goring. From our personal collection, previously in the personal collection of Marius Goring.
