Lux Radio Theater – The Scarlet Pimpernel Page 1 of 40 Lux Radio Theater “The Scarlet Pimpernel” Originally aired December 12, 1938 CAST Announcer Cecil B. deMille Man 1 Woman 1 Man 2 Woman 2 The Barber Scarlet Pimpernel/Percy Blakeney 1 Count de Tournay Armand St. Just Sir Andrew Ffoulkes Lady Blakeney Lady Romney (The Great Artist) The Prince of Wales Chauvelin Mother Midge Dot Bobby Servant Ffoulkes Brinker Servant 2 Madame Grenier Innkeeper Sergeant Guard Squad Commander 1 The character is listed as both to indicate what quality of voice to use. The Scarlet Pimpernel is more assured and a leader, whereas Percy is more light-hearted and whimsical. SFX: Jail door opens with loud squeak Knocking on door Door opens & close Door locks Horse & cart Paper rustling Writing Clock chimes twice Ship sounds Door unlatches Slap Clock ticking Firing squad marching Firing squad rifles lock Rifles fire Trap door
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Lux Radio Theater – The Scarlet Pimpernel Page 1 of 40
Lux Radio Theater “The Scarlet Pimpernel”
Originally aired December 12, 1938
CAST
Announcer
Cecil B. deMille
Man 1
Woman 1
Man 2
Woman 2
The Barber
Scarlet Pimpernel/Percy Blakeney1
Count de Tournay
Armand St. Just
Sir Andrew Ffoulkes
Lady Blakeney
Lady
Romney (The Great Artist)
The Prince of Wales
Chauvelin
Mother
Midge
Dot
Bobby
Servant
Ffoulkes
Brinker
Servant 2
Madame Grenier
Innkeeper
Sergeant
Guard
Squad Commander
1 The character is listed as both to indicate what quality of voice to use. The Scarlet Pimpernel is more assured and
a leader, whereas Percy is more light-hearted and whimsical.
SFX: Jail door opens with loud squeak Knocking on door Door opens & close Door locks Horse & cart Paper rustling Writing Clock chimes twice Ship sounds Door unlatches Slap Clock ticking Firing squad marching Firing squad rifles lock Rifles fire Trap door
Lux Radio Theater – The Scarlet Pimpernel Page 2 of 40
MUSIC:
ANNOUNCER: From Hollywood, California, the Lux Radio Theater presents
Leslie Howard and Olivia De Haviland2 in, “The Scarlet Pimpernel.”
MUSIC: up, and continues under.
ANNOUNCER: Lux presents Hollywood. “The ‘Robin Hood’ of the reign of
terror.” That was the Scarlet Pimpernel, whose daring defiance, whose
colorful romance we bring you tonight, with Leslie Howard and Olivia De
Haviland. Madam Hilda Grenier, formally royal dresser to Queen Mary of
England, is our special guest, while our music is conducted by Louis Silvers.
Before our producer takes over the program, let me remind you that Lux
helps you get longer wear out of your stockings. It helps them stay nice and
elastic, so that they give under strain instead of pop and run. Yes, Lux cuts
way down on runs. So give your stockings regular Lux care. Buy Lux
flakes in the large sized box for greater economy. Our producer takes over
the program. Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Cecil B. deMille.
MUSIC: concludes.
APPLAUSE
CECIL B. DEMILLE: Greetings, from Hollywood, ladies and gentlemen. They
call it “the poor man’s weatherglass,” this little crimson flower that lends a
splash of color to English wayside, and closes up its petals in warning,
whenever there’s a storm approaching. They also call it, “the scarlet
pimpernel.” And by the mark of this flower only the mysterious hero of our
play, Sir Percy Blakeney, signed his daring exploits. As a play, “The Scarlet
Pimpernel” was performed over 5000 times. And it’s perhaps the most
popular screen characterization of the celebrated star who reenacts the title
role for Lux listeners tonight, Mr. Leslie Howard. All the acclaim the stage
and screen can bring a star has been won by Mr. Howard. He may continue
his career as an actor, but should his present plans materialize, he’ll also join
the ranks of film producers. Which I hope he does. Olivia De Haviland,
who’s been away from our stage too long, is the brown-haired, brown-eyed
heroine of Warner Brothers’ new production “Dodge City” which she plays
opposite Errol Flynn. She’s co-starred tonight as Marguerite. And Dennis
Green plays Chauvelin. As producer of the Lux Radio Theater, I want to
take a moment before raising our curtain to thank all of you for your support.
2 Originally the film starred Merle Oberon. Olivia, herself, afterwards played Arabella Bishop in “Captain Blood”
and Maid Marian in “Robin Hood”, both opposite Errol Flynn.
Lux Radio Theater – The Scarlet Pimpernel Page 3 of 40
Thousands of you have written, telling us that you show your appreciation
by regularly purchasing our product. With this kind of cooperation, ladies
and gentlemen, you can depend upon hearing Hollywood’s brightest stars on
our program every Monday night. And now for the play. The Lux Radio
Theater presents Leslie Howard and Olivia De Haviland in, “The Scarlet
Pimpernel.”
MUSIC:
CECIL B. DEMILLE: Paris. In the year 1793.
MUSIC: French National Anthem, up and continues.
CECIL B. DEMILLE: French Revolution is over. But the reign of terror casts is
gruesome shadow across the city. Every day the citizens of Paris watch and
endless procession of death. Crude wooden carts, laden with the nobles of
France, on their last journey through the streets—a journey to the guillotine.
MUSIC: Changes, and continues under.
CECIL B. DEMILLE: Into this maelstrom comes one man to stem the rising tide
of French blood. An Englishman, known only as “The Scarlet Pimpernel.”
The object of every nobleman’s prayer, and every Revolutionist’s curse, he
works silently, mysteriously, and successfully. In his native England, they
speak of him with baited breath (fade out)
MAN 1: The Scarlet Pimpernel. He’s the only hope the French know.
WOMAN 1: The Scarlet Pimpernel? Does anyone know who he is?
CECIL B. DEMILLE: No madam. But I must confess I feel quite proud when I
remember that he is an Englishman.
WOMAN 2: They say he’s always in disguise.
MAN 2: Oh, he’s an actor, that man. He speaks French like a Frenchman, they
say. And I’ve heard he can assume a hundred disguises in an hour’s time.
And old hag, a peddler, a captain of the guards. You never know in what
dress the Scarlet Pimpernel will strike.
CECIL B. DEMILLE: And now the Scarlet Pimpernel is about to strike again.
Into a barber shop in Paris comes an old man, in the black robes of the
priest. The French barber greets him jovially.
BARBER: Ah, good morning, Father. You wish to be shaved this morning?
SCARLET PIMPERNEL: (as an old French priest) Yes, if you will, barber.
Lux Radio Theater – The Scarlet Pimpernel Page 4 of 40
BARBER: Sit down, sit down. Did you come from the square, father? The
guillotine is busy again today, eh?
SCARLET PIMPERNEL: I don’t know. I didn’t stop.
BARBER: No? Well, it is always the same. The drums roll, the knife falls, and
another aristocrat parts company with his head.
SCARLET PIMPERNEL: Yes. Very monotonous.
BARBER: And so clumsy. That great, ugly machine. When all they need is a
sharp razor, like this… a quick rip, and ZIP.
SCARLET PIMPERNEL: Oh, please, please. Don’t flick quite so close to my
throat. I only want a shave.
BARBER: Oh. (laughs) You are all right, Father. But I wish they’d give me a
few aristocrats to shave. Can you not see me dealing with The Scarlet
Pimpernel?
SCARLET PIMPERNEL: The what?
BARBER: The Scarlet Pimpernel. Haven’t you heard?
SCARLET PIMPERNEL: No.
BARBER: There is a band of Englishmen helping these cursed aristocrats out of
the country. Their chief is the only man who ever cheated Madam
Guillotine. He is known by the title of “The Scarlet Pimpernel.”
SCARLET PIMPERNEL: And who is he?
BARBER: Ah, that is the mystery.
SCARLET PIMPERNEL: The mystery, of course. Yes.
BARBER: But there will be ‘eads for him today, in spite of him. Some very
famous heads, Father.
SCARLET PIMPERNEL: Yes?
BARBER: We checked off the names last night. The Duke the Tour, the Count de
Tourey, the Mejions, the Count De Tournay and his wife and daughter.
SCARLET PIMPERNEL: (dropping his character) Tournay? (recovering) Are
you sure, de Tournay?
BARBER: But certainly I am sure. They were taken to prison over a month ago.
Why, Father? You are not a… friend of theirs?
SCARLET PIMPERNEL: Oh, ho, ho. A friend? No, no, no. No, it isn’t safe to
know any Nobles these days, hm?
Lux Radio Theater – The Scarlet Pimpernel Page 5 of 40
BARBER: Oh. (laughs) Good. Very good. (laughs)
FADE OUT
MUSIC:
FADE IN
GUARD: You wish to see the former Count de Tournay, is that so, Father?
SCARLET PIMPERNEL: Yes. If you don’t mind.
GUARD: Very well, Father. They haven’t long now. You’ll find the former Count
de Tournay in that room over there.
SCARLET PIMPERNEL: Thank you. Thank you.
SFX: jail door opens followed by loud squeak.
SCARLET PIMPERNEL: Good morning. Are you the Count de Tournay?
CT DE TOURNAY: Yes. I suppose you have come to offer me the last rights,
Father.
SCARLET PIMPERNEL: In a manner of speaking. If you will just look at this
passage I have marked in the book, your spirits will be up-lifted.
CT DE TOURNAY: I am not afraid to die, Father.
SCARLET PIMPERNEL: Even so, it is sometimes better to live, my son.
CT DE TOURNAY: To live? What are you…
SCARLET PIMPERNEL: Sh. Read there. In the book.
CT DE TOURNAY: But… but, there is nothing on the page, except a red mark.
SCARLET PIMPERNEL: Look carefully.
CT DE TOURNAY: It is a flower. A red… a scarlet pimpernel.
SCARLET PIMPERNEL: (quickly) Sh.
CT DE TOURNAY: (whispering) Father, are you the Scarlet Pimpernel?
SCARLET PIMPERNEL: (dropping his character) Be careful. It will do you no
good to know. Just listen to me. Before you start on your journey to the
guillotine, they will bring your wife and daughter to you. You will ride in
the same tumbrel3. On the way there will be an accident. The wheel of the
tumbrel will come off. There will be a commotion, the soldiers guarding the
cart will be jostled by the crowd—all carefully arranged for. Look sharply. 3 a vehicle carrying condemned persons (as political prisoners during the French Revolution) to a place of
Lux Radio Theater – The Scarlet Pimpernel Page 36 of 40
(pause)
CHAUVELIN: Fire.
SQUAD COMMANDER: Fire!
SFX: rifles shoot.
(pause)
CHAUVELIN: “That dimmed elusive Pimpernel.” (laughs to himself)
(whistling, “God Save the Queen” approaching.)
SFX: door opens
PERCY BLAKENEY: I’m so sorry, Monsieur.
CHAUVELIN: Blakeney!
PERCY BLAKENEY: Yes, you see, I’ve come back for my hat. It’s such a
cursed good hat, you know.
CHAUVELIN: But you… but you…
PERCY BLAKENEY: Oh, no, no, no, no. Don’t-Don’t look at me like that.
Sink me, if you don’t think I am my own ghost.
CHAUVELIN: Durock! Durock!
PERCY BLAKENEY: Oh, you mean the Captain of your firing squad? I’m
afraid it’ll be an hour or so before poor Captain Durock will be able to
resume his duties. I regret that I struck him rather violently.
SFX: door opens
PERCY BLAKENEY: Come in, gentlemen! This, eh… is my firing squad.
Allow me to present Sir Andrew Ffoulkes,…
FFOULKES: Yes.
PERCY BLAKENEY: …Lord Hastings,
HARMAND ST. JUST: Yes.
PERCY BLAKENEY: …Lord Bellville and all the rest of them. But of course
you know all about them.
CHAUVELIN: Your firing squad?
PERCY BLAKENEY: Yes, you see, those men you hired—oh, excellent men, all
of them—but oddly enough they can’t resist a drink of wine. Oh they’ll
recover, it was just a mild drug, you know. But, eh… for the moment
they’re all sleeping very soundly.
Lux Radio Theater – The Scarlet Pimpernel Page 37 of 40
SCARLET PIMPERNEL: And now, since the volley of shots has freed Lady
Blakeney, I must make haste to join her. Good night.
CHAUVELIN: Why, I… Why, you…
SCARLET PIMPERNEL: Chauvelin. You know, I think a cooling off is what
you need. Ffoulkes, raise that trap door, there.
SFX: trap door opens.
SCARLET PIMPERNEL: You’ll find it very cool below, monsieur Chauvelin.
You will have ample time to think things over. Bonsoir, monsieur. Vive la
France. Long live the King!
SFX: door opens & close
MUSIC: Fanfare. Then changes and continues under.
MAUGARITE: Percy. You’re here. They told me.
PERCY BLAKENEY: Yes. Maugarite, my darling, I’m here. And we’re on our
way to England, that’s all you have to know.
MAUGARITE: Are we free now? Really free?
PERCY BLAKENEY: I’m free, my sweet. But you… You know, Chauvelin
said that you would not be free until the moment I die.
MAUGARITE: Darling.
PERCY BLAKENEY: And I won’t let it be a moment sooner.
MUSIC: swells and ends
ANNOUNCER: We take leave of “The Scarlet Pimpernel.” You know, hearing
The Brownings get all excited about Christmas reminds me of something.
And I’d like to tell you about it before Mr. deMille comes back with our
stars. I want to tell you a very snappy way to trim your Christmas tree. All
you need is your old friend Lux flakes. Now listen. Pour a large box of
Lux Flakes into a big bowl and add two scant cups of lukewarm water.
Whip it up with an egg beater. Gosh, it’s wonderful the suds you get. A big
pan full of fine white suds, that look like whipped cream in the bowl, and
like real snow on the Christmas tree. Now, take handfuls of the suds, and
spread them with your fingers all along the branches of your Christmas tree.
If you want an even more glittering effect, while the suds are still moist,
sprinkle the tree with artificial Christmas snow—the kind you get in the
stores. Boy, what an effect you get. Your tree looks as though it had been
out in a real honest-to-goodness snowstorm. It certainly is pretty, all
sparkling and everything. And you know, this is one way to help your tree
Lux Radio Theater – The Scarlet Pimpernel Page 38 of 40
to last longer. Because the Lux suds cling to the needles and keep them
from drying out and falling off too soon. Want me to repeat the recipe? A
large sized box of Lux Flakes, two scant cups of lukewarm water, whipped
with an egg beater. That’s all. Be sure to get the large sized box of Lux, so
you can make plenty of snow. Here’s Mr. deMille.
CECIL B. DEMILLE: Our stars drop their roles. Lady Maugarite is again Olivia
de Haviland and The Scarlet Pimpernel becomes Leslie Howard.
LESLIE HOWARD: Well, it is every bit as enjoyable bringing this play to the
air, Mr. deMille, as it was bringing it to the screen. As Madame Grenier told
us, the Scarlet Pimpernel really actually existed. I confess, I didn’t know
that until I was making the picture. Because, surely, no character seemed a
more… more a piece of elaborate fiction. So naturally, when someone sent
me a note and said he belonged to Sir Percy’s family, I wondered whether
one of my friends had thought up the gag, you know. It was slightly
embarrassing not long after when a Mr. Blakeney, a descendant of the
original Scarlet Pimpernel, introduced himself to me.
OLIVIA DE HAVILAND: Two weeks ago, Mr. Howard, I heard you say
something on this program about turning motion picture director. Earlier
tonight, Mr. deMille added the word “Producer” after your name.
Apparently you’re really going into the picture business in all its branches.
LESLIE HOWARD: You scare me, Olivia. As a matter of fact, we expect to
produce certain pictures in England. But just to be sure that our efforts will
appeal to our American audiences, we’re going to write our first story right
here in Hollywood. It’ll be the first time, I believe, that this has been done
by an English unit.
CECIL B. DEMILLE: (chuckles) Well, there’s no reason why the tie that binds
the nations can’t be made of celluloid. Miss de Haviland, you’ve been out
of Hollywood a long time filming “Dodge City”.7 Any adventures on
location?
OLIVIA DE HAVILAND: Well, I’m the “Dodge City” dodger. I’ve been
dodging kidnappers.
LESLIE HOWARD: Not kidnappers?
OLIVIA DE HAVILAND: Yes, kidnappers.
LESLIE HOWARD: Really?
7 “Dodge City” released in 1939, starring Errol Flynn, Ann Sheridan, and Bruce Cabot.
Lux Radio Theater – The Scarlet Pimpernel Page 39 of 40
OLIVIA DE HAVILAND: Let me tell you. We were on location near Modesto,
in the Prairie country, and a very nice place I thought for a nice, quiet walk.
But it seems that two very tough looking gentlemen also decided to take a
nice, quiet walk and follow me. And after a couple of miles they were still
right on my heels. There wasn’t another soul around, and the only building
in sight was a farm house. And when I made a dash for that, the two men
dashed after me. I reached the farm house, found it was abandoned, and
decided to face it out. I walked right up to the men, demanded what they
wanted, and looked them straight in the eye. One of them took something
out of his pocket. I didn’t dare look. I was too sure it was a six shooter.
Just as I was about to faint, the man poked it under my nose and said, “We
sure would like your autograph, Miss de Haviland.”
(the men laugh.)
OLIVIA DE HAVILAND: And believe me, gentlemen, I signed. (laughing)
Well, Mr. deMille, I hate to say good night, but I guess it’s time to. Thank
you for another grand evening.
LESLIE HOWARD: Yes, with added thank you to all worked with us in the cast.
Good night, C.B.
APPLAUSE
CECIL B. DEMILLE: Good night, Mr. Howard. Good night, Olivia.
ANNOUNCER: There’s a great show awaiting you here next Monday night.
Listen for Mr. deMille’s announcement of it shortly. Heard in “The Scarlet
Pimpernel” were Denis Green as Monsieur Chauvelin, Walter Kingsford as
Sir Andrew Ffoulkes, Vernon Steele as Romney, Ramsay Hill as Armand St.
Just, Reginald Sheffield as Count de Tournay, Eric Snowden as the Prince of
Wales, Gerald Cornell as the Innkeeper, Keith Kenneth as Brinker, Lou
Merrill as the Barber, George Pembrook as Lord Hastings, John Toti as a
voice, Dave Roberts as a guard, and Geraldine Peck, Ethel Sykes, Coral
Colebrook and Betty Sutter as ladies of the court. Miss de Haviland’s
current film is the Warner Brothers comedy, “Hard to Get”. Mr. Howard is
co-director of the picture “Pygmalion”. Our musical director, Louis Silvers,
appeared through courtesy of 20th Century Fox studio, where he was in
charge of music for the new picture, “Kentucky”. We want to remind you
that this is the time to help the 1938 drive to help tuberculosis. Help make
the world safer. Purchase your supply of anti-tuberculosis Christmas seals
now. Use them on all your Christmas mail. Show that you are helping, too,
to fight the dread disease. Buy seals for Christmas, and you buy health for
the New Year. Mr. deMille.
Lux Radio Theater – The Scarlet Pimpernel Page 40 of 40
CECIL B. DEMILLE: It carries a punch, like a prize fighter’s fist, the play you’ll
next Monday night. “Kid Galahad.” An exciting drama of the squared
circle. It’s the story of a manager, the boy he picks to win the title, and the
women who love this naïve thunderbolt called, “Kid Galahad.” The same
two stars you saw in the picture bring the play to our stage. Edward G.
Robinson and Wayne Morris, and with them Miss Joan Bennett and Andrea
Leeds.8
MUSIC:
CECIL B. DEMILLE: Our sponsors, the makers of Lux Flakes, join me in
inviting you to be with us again next Monday night, when the Lux Radio
Theater presents, “Kid Galahad”, starring Edward G. Robinson and Joan
Bennett, with Wayne Morris and Andrea Leeds. And as the evening’s
special guest, the former heavyweight champion of the world, Jack
Dempsey. This is Cecil B. deMille saying, “Good night to you, from
Hollywood.”
APPLAUSE
MUSIC: Concludes.
CECIL B. DEMILLE: Your announcer has been Melville Ruick. This is the
Columbia Broadcasting System.
December 12, 1938. CBS net. "The Scarlet Pimpernel". Sponsored by: Lux. The story of the daring Englishman with a secret identity who bedevils the French during the Revolution. The intermission guest is Madame Hilda Grenier, former royal dresser to Queen Mary. One of her prized possessions is a pair of stockings owned by Marie Antoinette (and three guesses what she washes them in)! Lou Merrill, Louis Silvers (music director), Melville Ruick (announcer), Keith Kenneth, Ramsay Hill, George Pembrook (doubles), Gerald Cornell, Geraldine Peck (doubles), Hilda Grenier (intermission guest), Ethel Sykes, John Toti, Leslie Howard, Olivia De Haviland, Betty Sutter, Cecil B. DeMille, Coral Colebrook, Dave Roberts, Denis Green, Eric Snowden (doubles), Reginald Sheffield (doubles), Vernon Steele, Walter Kingsford, Robert Sherwood (screenwriter), Arthur Wimperis (screenwriter), Sam Berman (screenwriter), Lajos Biro (screenwriter), Baroness Orczy (author, stage adaptor), Montagu Barstow (stage adaptor), Carolyn Newell, Ross Forrester, Frank Nelson (performer, program opening announcer), Marilyn Stuart (commercial spokesman), Betty Jean Hainey (commercial spokesman), Jane Morgan (commercial spokesman), Frank Woodruff (director), George Wells (adaptor), Charlie Forsyth (sound effects), Eric Burtis (commercial spokesman). 59: 04
8 The film also starred Bette Davis and Humphrey Bogart.