MovieChat Forums > The Scarlet Pimpernel (1935) Discussion > Merle Oberon's tremendous beauty in this...

Merle Oberon's tremendous beauty in this movie.

posted 15 years ago by genplant29
18 replies | jump to latest

There's no existing thread devoted to the topic of Merle Oberon's tremendous beauty in this movie. So, I've decided to start one.

Until watching this movie (which I now realize I saw one or more times many years ago, in earlier life, though I had forgotten all about it in the years since), I hadn't really thought that Miss Oberon's beauty was necessarily exceptional, though I did, of course, recognize that she was a beauty. In "The Scarlet Pimpernel," her beauty is most certainly WAY out of the league of mere "average," for sure. She's STUNNING.

[–] tramky 15 years ago

Yes, I agree. I watched this again today and, as usual, Merle Oberon was quite a striking woman. I think the makeup, hair & costume in this had something to do with it. She is very exotic looking for a white woman, rather unusual features, but it works very well.

[–] YGoodwriter 15 years ago

She is stunning, isn't she? The first thing I saw her in was "Wuthering Heights" and I thought how beautiful she was. She looks even better here.

[–] Flippitygibbit 15 years ago

Agreed. She certainly does justice to Marguerite's claim as the most beautiful woman in Europe! The hair and costumes are off for the period, but she is stunning and has incredible 'stage presence'.

"Tony, if you talk that rubbish, I shall be forced to punch your head" - Lord Tony's Wife, Orczy

[–] ultimatelotrcrossover 15 years ago

She was gorgeous. I believe she was part Indian (India) which is why she was 'exotic' looking.

[–] PrincessHRN 15 years ago

She was definitely of mixed heritage - I'm not sure if anyone is completely sure of her ethnic background as she apparently never revealed any information. But she indeed was beautiful.

[–] bill3-1 14 years ago

Merle Oberon is stunning in this, at her most beautiful. Also watch her as Anne Boleyn in "The Private Life of Henry VIII", drop dead gorgeous.

[–] Popcorngal (4347) 2 years ago

Her mom was Maori and Indian.

[–] kirwan_art 14 years ago

How funny..when it was on TCL today, I thought, holy cow, who is that stunning woman? And that's why I came on here, to find out her name.

[–] muvaphuka 14 years ago

I concur,

I watched it last night on ABC late at night 11pm, she was really stunning, the long pauses and close ups really complemented her tremendous yet delicate beauty.

They don't make them like that any more..

[–] dalmain 14 years ago

She was indeed beautiful. I'm curious to see more of her movies. I've only seen this and The Lodger (1944) that feature her.

[–] bill3-1 14 years ago

Then you should see "Wuthering Heights", but Merle was never more beautiful then she was in "The Scarlet Pimpernel", especially the scene when she's being painted, OMFG!

[–] genplant29 13 years ago

Yes: She is absolutely gorgeous in that scene. But, for me, when she COMPLETELY hits the ball out of the ballpark is during the whole extended party section of the movie. Miss Oberon's face, hair, and gown there puts her WAY beyond the league of mere mortal women. WOW!!!

[–] coolbluegreen 12 years ago

I completely agree with everyone -- Merle Oberon's beauty in this film is heavenly. Truly, I think that she was the most beautiful woman in the world during this time. Wait -- Merle Oberon was the most gorgeous woman in all recorded history, afaiac, in The Scarlet Pimpernel. In fact, I must have seen this film about 30 times (no kidding) before I realized that I had never really seen the whole film -- in any scene with Ms. Oberon, my eyes were riveted on her flawless face. I, without knowing it, completely ignored everybody and everything else in any scene she was in, just so I could gaze upon her. I watched it again and really enjoyed it, although I went right back to watching it in my usual way.

[–] bill3-1 12 years ago

I concur in every scene Merle's in she is breath-takingly beautiful far out of the league of mere mortal women, but also it's in her countenance, carriage, figure, and that English accent with just a tinge of French is so erotic.

Unfortunately Merle Oberon's looks faded much too quickly, and I don't think the disfiguring car accident in 1937 is really that much to blame, but comparing her here in The Pimp to 1939's Wuthering Heights you can see how much her looks have faded, but in 1933's Henry VIII she's just as gorgeous, the odd thing is women are normally at their most beautiful at around age 30, however if Merle had gotten any better looking I don't think I could have standed it, OMG I can't even imagine!

[–] leekingswood 10 years ago

Concur 1000% ...she is simply stunning. I wonder what she was like to kiss offscreen?

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I'll always be going to see the varmint, Eve.

[–] Helpfan65 10 years ago

I recently saw this movie for the first time and I was also stunned by how beautiful she appeared, mainly because I've never considered her to be a beauty in the league of Vivien Leigh, Hedy Lamarr, and Linda Darnell, all incredibly gorgeous brunettes.

But as I viewed the movie, I had to attribute her looks to the power of makeup. Her eye makeup especially, was done brilliantly to emphasize her exotic eyes, enhancing her looks.

Just saw her in "The Divorce of Lady X" and was so disappointed, I found her to appear washed out and quite bland. Given that the movie was filmed in Technicolor, I would have thought the makeup artist would have used a stronger hand.

Just goes to prove what a impact makeup has and how a good makeup artist can transform a pretty woman into an absolute stunner.

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Get me a bromide - and put some gin in it!

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