YOUNG ACTOR’S BRILLIANT DEBUT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 May 1938, Page 10

YOUNG ACTOR’S BRILLIANT DEBUT

A young British actor makes a sensational film debut in "‘The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel,” a new London Film production which will open its Masterton season at the State on Saturday week.

He is Barry K. Barnes, who has the unenviable task of portraying Sir Percy Blakeney, a role brilliantly created on the screen by Leslie Howard. Despite this handicap Barnes puts up a magnificent performance and there is no doubt that he is a discovery of first class importance. Only 28 years of age, Barnes has the technique of a man twice as old. The film, is the title implies, is a further chapter in the adventures of the man who struck' terror into the hearts of men of terror—“that demned elusive Pimpernel.” And this sequel is even more thrilling than the excellent Howard version. Nearly everyone is familiar with the Baroness Orczy character, the English dandy who devoted his life to the rescue of innocent victims •of the French Revolution. “The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel” takes up the story at the point where the ''identity of the Pimpernel is known to the tyrant Robespierre and his chief of police, Chauvelin. But even this

knowledge does not prevent the audacious Sir Percy from rescuing victims from under the very shadow of the guillotine. In an effort to trap the Pimpernel, Chauvelin kidnaps the beautiful Lady Blakeney, imprisoning her in Paris. Sir Percy follows, and, greatly daring, effects her rescue, but is then himself foiled by foxy Chauvelin. With Lady Blakeney recaptured and facing execution within a few days, Blakeney engineers a coup which, in a thrilling climax, results in the downfall of the regime of tyranny, the capture of Chauvelin, and above all, the rescue of his adored wife. The colourful exciting story, the romantic charm of Bary K. Barnes, the soft beauty of Sophie Stewart, and the excellence of the supporting players, Margaretta Scott, James Mason, Francis Lister and Anthony Bushell, make ‘“The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel” a memorable evening’s entertainment.

GAY COMEDY. “LOVE ON TOAST.” The plight of a modest soda fountain attendant who suddenly becomes the most popular young man in the country, by winning a male beauty contest which he didn't enter, forms the hilarious background of "Love on Toast,” Paramount’s crisp comedy opening on Friday at the Cosy Theatre. The male role is played by John Payne, radio singer. Stella Ardler, New York stage beapty who makes her film debut in this picture, is the gal who gets him into the contest—and tries to keep him in. Grant Richards, Katherine "Sugar” Kane, Benny Baker, Isabel Jewell and Luis Alberni are also in the cast.