Figure 1.--"The Swarm in May" is based on a child's book published in 1955 by William Mayne. The main charcter is Jown Owen who is about 10 years old. He is played by Oliver Hickes. It was filmed at Rochester Cathedral and released in 1983.
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Figure 1.--"The Swarm in May" is based on a child's book published in 1955 by William Mayne. The main charcter is Jown Owen who is about 10 years old. He is played by Oliver Hickes. It was filmed at Rochester Cathedral and released in 1983. |
Lovely little made for TV movie about a young boy at a choir school. It was based on th child's novel by the same title written by William Mayne. He was one of the last authors to work in the school story genre. Mayne published it in 1955, one of his firstt books. The boy's school story at the time was declining in popularity, despite this remarkable work. . A 1982 edition was Illustrated by CW Hodges. The title comes from a rhyme about bee keeping: "A Swarm in May is worth a load of hay; A swarm in June is worth a silver spoon; A swarm in July ain't worth a fly!" Unfortunately at this time I have no information on the actual film. The main charcter is John Owen who is about 10 years old. I believe he is played by Oliver Hickes. The boy loves the music, but his father who is divorcing his mother thinks that singing is sissy making the boy very unhappy. The boy has to sing a special solo which he objects to at first, but guided by a very sensitive teacher, he eventually comes to covet the part. He wears shorts and knee socks. I think he wears a school uniform, but can not recall at this time. I do remember seeing the film on TV several years ago, but unfortunately do not recall much about it--except that it was beautifully acted.
The director Colin Finbow specialised in films for children, often
featuring amateur child actors. I think the Children's Film Foundation
was the producer. Finbow was a teacher at Forest Hill Comprehensive in London. Hopefully our British readers will remember more details.
The book deals with a young boy at a choir school. The boy's school story at the time was declining in popularity, despite this remarkable work.
A 1982 edition was Illustrated by CW Hodges. The title comes from a rhyme about bee keeping: "A Swarm in May is worth a load of hay; A swarm in June is worth a silver spoon; A swarm in July ain't worth a fly!" The Sarm in May published in 1955 was one of a quartet of choir-school stories, no doubt influenced by the author's own experiences as a chorister. It was also one of his first books.
The book was written by William Mayne. He was one of the last authors to work in the school story genre. Mayne was born in the Yorkshire Dales. He was the eldest child of a doctor. He was a chorister in Canterbury as a boy. He was not a keen scholar. He later wrote, "I gave up thinking school was any good at 14, though social pressures didn't allow one to abandon it". He finally left school at age 17. Mayne despite his dimissive attitude toward school, decided very early that he wanted to write. He worked a few years with the BBC and then as a teacher before devoting himself full time to teaching. Mayne published The Swarm in May in 1955. It was one of his first books. Another interesting books is Choristers' Cake (1956). Mayne is well known for Earthfasts, Cradlefasts, and Candlefasts, a triology that was written over a period of 30 years. His most aclaimed book is probably A Grass Rope which was awarded the Carnegie Medal. Many of his books are fantasies, such as a recent book--The Animal Garden. Mayne has also written many fine short stories.
Unfortunately at this time I have no information on the actual film. I do remember seeing the film on TV several years ago, but unfortunately do not remember much about it--except that it was beautifully acted.
The director Colin Finbow specialised in films for children, often
featuring amateur child actors. I think the Children's Film Foundation
was the producer. Finbow was a teacher at Forest Hill Comprehensive in London. Hopefully our British readers will remember more details.
The main charcter is Jown Owen who is about 10 years old. He is played by Oliver Hickes (1971- ) who was about 12 years old at the time. Oliver also played in "Dark Enemy" (1984). Other cast members of "Swarm in May" include: Frank Middlemass (Dr. Sunderland), Milo Twomey (Trevitihic), Rory Macfarquhar, Peter Cosmetatos,
James Mills (III), Petra Davies (Mrs. Owen), Hugh Hastings III (Turle), Charles Lewsen (Mr. Sutton), Douglas Storm (Bishop), Oswin Baker, Moritz Baumann, Joshua Berke, Anwar Darkazally, and Ben Luby.
The story is set in Canterbury. The movie, however, was filmed at Rochester Cathedral.
The film follows the plot of the book closely. John Owen loves music, but his father who is divorcing his mother thinks that singing is sissy making the boy very unhappy. The boy has to sing a special solo which he objects to at first, but guided by a very sensitive teacher, he eventually comes to covet the part.
John wears a school uniform consisting of a blazer, jumper (sweater), short pants,and knee socks. I think he wears a school uniform, but can not recall at this time. There are also scenes of the coristers who wear a high ruffled collar.
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