Classic Story with Vintage Holywood Movie Stars

In today's society it's sometimes difficult to understand the power that radio had and especially - dramatised story hours! Here we have a glimpse into the world of 1939. Three of the biggest stars in Hollywood (in their day) Leslie Howard and Olivia de Havilland unite (Ashley and Melanie also in the 1939 epic Gone with the Wind) to perform one of literature's classics - Baroness Orczy's The Scarlet Pimpernel set in 1792. Directed and introduced by Cecil B DeMille. The story has it all - intrigue, romance, adventure, blackmail, espionage and of course the triumph of good over evil, showing that one man (or woman) can always make a difference. What makes this performance so special however is of course the performances by Leslie Howard and Olivia de Havilland and the narration by Cecil B DeMille. It is wonderful that these old Radio Theatre productions have been saved for future generations to enjoy. I confess the recording is not clean and crisp as we're used to today and it seems very strange to hear these legendary actors and producer tell us that we should be using Lux flakes to wash our stockings. But my recommendation is to embrace the ads and the slight crackling as it adds to the ambience and makes you feel as if the clock has turned back and it's 1939 all over again.

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