Figure 1.--This English film was a Rank film directed by Fergus McDonell. It is based on a story by Aldous Huxley. It was a flop at the box office. The movie is set in Iltay. An English boy, Nick (Robert Dowell) is vacatoning with his parents, John Morell and mother Catherine. Morell is a noted English philosopher and also fascinated by music. Nick becomes friendly with a local boy--Guido (Jeremy Spenser). Morell discovers that Guido is very musical. He has an extrodinary talent and amazing memory when music is concerned.

This English film was a Rank film directed by Fergus McDonell. It is based on a story by Aldous Huxley. It was a flop at the box office. The movie is set in Italy. An English boy, Nick (Robert Dowell) is vacatoning with his parents, John Morell and mother Catherine. Morell is a noted English philosopher and also fascinated by music. Nick becomes friendly with a local boy--Guido (Jeremy Spenser). Morell discovers that Guido is very musical. He has an extrodinary talent and amazing memory when music is concerned. Neighbors, Signor and Signora Boudini, are thus made aware of Guido's potential. Signora Boudini approaches his parents and offers to provide a musical education. They are well to do and thus able to afford the finest tutors and instruments. Guido's parents live in very humble circumstances. They do not want to lose their son, but want him to develop his talent and in the end accept the offer. Guido is tutored by Dr. Lorenzo. Signora Bondini sees to it that Guido has no further contact with his parents, although sehe makes Guido believe that they have no interest in him. And she cuts off contact with any one else. She even holds his letters and does not give him the letters written by his parents. Guido's talent bloosoms and he becomes a huge success. He makes the grand tour of Europe. Signora Bondini is not only interested in Guido, but even more the acclaim gained through her association with him. She plans a trip to America and initiates a formal adoption process.

Filmology

This English film was a Rank film directed by Fergus McDonell. It is based on a story by Aldous Huxley. Huxley was a well-known author. He is probanly best known for Brave New World. The Huxley story was about aoy with mathematical talent rather than aidted musician, but the story was set in Italy. 'Prelude to Fame' was, a flop at the box office despite using the Huxley story. We are not sure why. It seems a reasonably well-acted film. We suspect British movie goers were more interesed in action filled films like Hollywood was producing. Competition with television was just beginning.

Setting

The movie is set in Italy. We are not sure why Huxley chose Italy. At the time there were some notable Italian child prodigies who were dressed in fancy outfits for their performances. Also the Huxley family spent considerable time in Italy.

Cast

The English boy, Nick is played by Robert Dowell. He appears at the beginning of the film. Nick becomes friendly with a local boy--Guido played by Jeremy Spenser. He is the main character of the film. HBC does not have any information on the theatrical careers of either boys except for this film. Perhaps our British readers will know more about them.

Plot

An English boy, Nick (Robert Dowell) is vacatoning with his parents, John Morell and mother Catherine. Morell is a noted English philosopher and also fascinated by music. Nick becomes friendly with a local boy--Guido (Jeremy Spenser). Morell discovers that Guido is very musical. He has an extrodinary talent and amazing memory when music is concerned. Neighbors, Signor and Signora Boudini, are thus made aware of Guido's potential. Signora Boudini approaches his parents and offers to provide a musical education. They are well to do and thus able to afford the finest tutors and instruments. Guido's parents live in very humble circumstances. They vdo not want to lose their son, but want him to develop his talent and in the end accept the offer. Guido is tutored by Dr. Lorenzo. Signora Bondini sees to it that Guido has no further contact with his parents, although sehe makes Guido believe that they have no interest in him. And she cuts off contact with any one else. She even holds his letters anddoes not give him the letters written by his parents. Guido's talent bloosoms and he becomes a huge success. He makes the grand tour of Europe. Signora Bondini is not only interested in Guido, but even more the acclaim gained through her association with him. She plans a trip to America and initiates a formal adoption process.

Costuming

The film opens with an English boy wearing contemporary clothing. The main character, Guido, is a poor Italian boy and wears rather ragged clothing. These are his play-clothes for the first half of the film. Later Signora Bondini takes Guildo and his English friend to Rome for a day’s excursion. Guildo wears his best clothes - White shirt, black trousers, white socks and shoes on this tour. Of course his clothes change when he is receiving musical schooling and are the clothes worn by wealthy children. Guido after he is in the care of Signora Bondini is dressed in new clothes. She buys formal, elegant outfits. A reader writes, "He is given a Little, Lord Fauntleroy suit but it is very moderate and not at all flamboyant. It is his concert suit and the clothes Signora Bondini wishes him to wear at these performances. Nevertheless, when he opens the package and sees the suit he is expected to wear, he throws it out of the room. I am sure he says, 'No! I'm not wearing that!' If its not said then its implied. He is badly treated and I wanted to help him get out of the bad situation." Towards the end of the film when the boy conducts his final concert He walks onto stage to conduct the orchestra. He is wearing a casual short pants suit typical of the 1950's. Signora Bondini was not supposed to be at that concert but she attends it. She is appalled that he his wearing a casual suit. Her husband tells her that Guido never did like the suit she had him wear for his performances.

Huxley's View of Prodigies

There certainly is an issue as to how prodigies should be raised and their talent develoed. I think the film , however, rather over simpliies the prodigy issue by introducing an unrealistic, simplistic plot line. We get the impression that Huxley believes that children should be left alone, that ordinary circumstances, even poverty are preferable to developing talent. It seems to ignore the value of developing talent. In relity it is a much more complicated issue. It is certainly important to protect an individual's childhood and the many delights of growing up normally with friends. But it is also important to develp an individual's god-given talent to the fullest extent possible. The same issue comes up with choir boys. Hre Huxley rather setys up an elaborate, unlikely senario. I wonder if the book is better. The philosophical linr here is that money and cpitalist society takes advantage of children. Unlike the plot line Huxely gives us, however, in the West, this was basically up to the parents. Some made bad decisions, others did not. In reality it is the Socialist socities like the Soviet Union that tended to focus on talent and service to the state and dismiss the idea of a normal childhood and welfare of the child.

Created: 9:56 PM 12/22/2011
Last updated: 4:25 PM 5/19/2013