The original 'Indy'?

[byronic]

First off, my apologies if this has been done before, but i did a quick search and it seems not to be.
i imagine that many loungers are familiar with the actor/ writer/ producer/ director Leslie Howard, but how many have noticed the striking similarities between his film 'Pimpernel Smith' (U.S. title 'Mister V'), and a certain fedora wearing celluloid hero?
The main character is an archaeologist who also does battle with the Nazis called Professor Horatio Smith- even his name, a combination of an exotic christian name and a commonplace surname seems very familiar, but he smuggles people rather than priceless artifacts from under the noses of the baddies. Hmmmmmm.....

 

[dhermann1]

Of course, Pimpernel Smith is just a modern reworking of The Scarlet Pimpernel, also starring Leslie Howard (The Daffy Duck version was The Purple Pumpernickel, you may remember). I think the original Pimpernel wore a three cornered hat with a plume. And yet . . . and yet . . . you may have something here. Personally, I think Spielberg must have seen the picture of my grandfather, which I use for my avatar.

 

[byronic]

You are quite correct- apparently Leslie Howard wanted to update his role in the Scarlet Pimpernel & alert audiences as to what was taking place in Europe at the time and funded the project himself, producing, directing and starring in it. i have not seen this film for over 20 years, apart from fuzzy prints with muffled sound on late night free view channels. I wish it were available on dvd.

 

[Dixon Cannon]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scarlet_Pumpernickel

-dixon cannon