The Adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel

The Adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel

Company type	Television series
Industry	Television
Founded	September 28, 1955 (1955-09-28)
Defunct	1956 (1956)
Fate	Ended
Headquarters	London , United Kingdom
Products	Television drama series

The Adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel is a British television series that aired from 1955 to 1956, adapted from the 1905 novel The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy. The show was developed by screenwriter Michael Hogan and produced by Towers of London under Incorporated Television Programmes. It debuted on 28 September 1955 and consisted of eighteen episodes. Notably, it was one of the inaugural dramatic programs broadcast on the newly established ITV network.

Cast and characters

• Marius Goring portrayed Sir Percy Blakeney, also known as The Scarlet Pimpernel
• Stanley Van Beers took on the role of Chauvelin
• Patrick Troughton appeared as Sir Andrew Ffoulkes
• Anthony Newlands played Lord Richard Hastings
• Alexander Gauge acted as George, Prince of Wales
• Lucie Mannheim featured as Countess la Valliere

Production notes

• Lead actor Marius Goring was married to co-star Lucie Mannheim
• The series was filmed at London's Elstree Studios
• Sets were designed by art director Duncan Sutherland
• Marius Goring had previously embodied Sir Percy in a 1952–53 radio adaptation spanning 50 episodes, now accessible via the Internet Archive
• Although originally intended to produce 39 episodes, only eighteen were ultimately completed and aired

Guest stars

Several guest performers who appeared in this series also featured in other productions by ITC, the BBC, and various films. These included:

• Ivor Dean
• Roger Delgado
• William Franklyn
• Conrad Phillips
• Robert Shaw
• Peter O'Toole
• Rachel Gurney
• Thea Gregory
• Maureen Connell
• Walter Rilla
• Phil Brown
• Brian Wilde

Episode list

The dates listed correspond to the original broadcasts on Independent Television in London (Associated-Rediffusion), Midlands, and Northern regions.

Nº	Title	Director	Writer	Air Date Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list {{Episode list  |EpisodeNumber=11  |Title=The Ambassador's Lady  |OriginalAirDate=13 December 1955 (1955-12-13)  |WrittenBy=Joel Murcott, R.G. Bettinson  |DirectedBy=David MacDonald  |ShortSummary=Chauvelin appoints Jacques Fleury as ambassador to France; complications arise when Richard becomes interested in Fleury’s wife amidst plans to incite war between France and Britain. Guest stars include William Franklyn, Simone Lovell, and Robert Cawdron.  |LineColor=FF6048 }} {{Episode list  |EpisodeNumber=12  |Title=The Christmas Present  |OriginalAirDate=20 December 1955 (1955-12-20)  |WrittenBy=Ralph Gilbert Bettinson  |DirectedBy=David MacDonald  |ShortSummary=Sir Percy orchestrates the escape of four aristocratic children from France while evading pursuit from Chauvelin’s forces. A key role is played by Mrs. Burton.  |LineColor=FF6048 }} {{Episode list  |EpisodeNumber=13  |Title=The Flower Woman  |OriginalAirDate=27 December 1955 (1955-12-27)  |WrittenBy=Marius Goring  |DirectedBy=David MacDonald  |ShortSummary=A spy working for Chauvelin seeks assistance from the Pimpernel to save revolutionaries during the September Massacres; only thirty survive this ordeal. Guest appearances include Peter Halliday and Michael Collins.  |LineColor=FF6048 }} {{Episode list  |EpisodeNumber=14  |Title=The Imaginary Invalids  |OriginalAirDate=10 January 1956 (1956-01-10)  |WrittenBy=John Moore  |DirectedBy=David MacDonald  |ShortSummary=Suffering blackmail over his banker client, Chauvelin encounters Sir Percy disguised as a doctor who rescues Rothstein’s daughter from captivity. Guest star: John Laurie.  |LineColor=FF6048 }} {{Episode list  |EpisodeNumber=15  |Title=Antoine & Antoinette  |OriginalAirDate=24 January 1956 (1956-01-24)  |WrittenBy=Angus MacPhail, Diane Morgan  |requiredby=David MacDonald  ||ShortSummary=A couple detained by Chauvelin are freed by Sir Percy disguised as a judge, aided by Antoinette’s sister who admires him; they narrowly escape to England.  ||LineColor = FF6048 }} Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list

Home media

In 2006, Alpha Home Entertainment launched Volume 1 of The Adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel on DVD, followed by Volume 2 in 2007; each release featured four episodes. Interestingly, the packaging incorrectly displayed Marius Goring portraying Conductor 71 from the 1946 movie A Matter of Life and Death.

On 30 July 2012, Network (UK) released the entire series, comprising all 18 episodes, across a three-disc DVD collection. This edition also included bonus content such as a behind-the-scenes photo gallery.

External links

• Costume designs created by Motley Theatre Design Group – part of the Motley Collection of Theatre & Costume Design