(no subject)

[deckardcanine]

I just finished watching The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934). Until recently, I knew little more than the title. Now I see that the Pimpernel is something like Zorro, only (1) he never fights and (2) the people he helps are fallen aristocrats. Those differences sound huge -- indeed, #2 applies to few fictional heroes -- but I assure you they're similar in other ways, most notably their type of secret identity.

It occurred to me that the last film hero I saw was Robocop, who is unusual among fictional heroes in his own way: he consistently upholds the law, at least in the first movie. At worst he's a bit unprofessional, like when he leaves an unconscious crook at the crime scene. I'm not saying that either of these guys is a role model, but I like to diversify my mental archive of heroes.

At one point in TSP, the dialog went, "What time?" "Ten o'clock." I looked over at my digital clock -- 10:00. I laughed.

Comments

[sleepyjohn00.livejournal.com]

The Pimpernel is fighting for justice, rather than the law, because the law is putting people to death who don't deserve it.

There was a pretty good TV 2- or 3-part miniseries of the Pimpernel back in the 80's, too.

[carlfoxmarten]

I think I saw one of the Scarlet Pimpernel movies.

Then again, I can't remember the difference between that and Wayne & Shuster's Brown Pumpernickel:
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKVOmqw2y1U
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfIimbg2oSw
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QInTfO8cXGk

[deckardcanine.livejournal.com]

Ah, I was unfamiliar with Wayne and Shuster. Now I know I can learn a few things from them, like that Belgian lace can sting.

[carlfoxmarten]

There is a lot of Wayne and Shuster stuff on YouTube, though not so much on TV or even in stores.

For example:
Festival of your favourite commercials: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chYxIaCtTS8
City golf: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1TtkWCbjUc
Crime on TV: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY8VgQU4A_k

All of it is great fun, and they were (practically) all clean jokes, too.

[deckardcanine.livejournal.com]

Not bad, but I liked this one (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MDsbksfZgQ&feature=related) better.