Prelude to Fame is a 1950 British drama film set in Italy, directed by Fergus McDonell and starring Guy Rolfe, Kathleen Byron and Kathleen Ryan. It is based on the 1924 story "Young Archimides" by Aldous Huxley, about a mathematical prodigy who is also gifted in music.

Prelude to Fame
Directed byFergus McDonell
Written byAldous Huxley (story "Young Archimedes")
Robert Westerby
Bridget Boland
Produced byDonald B. Wilson
StarringGuy Rolfe
Kathleen Byron
Kathleen Ryan
CinematographyGeorge Stretton
Edited bySidney Hayers
Music byMuir Mathieson
Production
company
Distributed byGeneral Film Distributors
Release date
  • 2 May 1950 (1950-05-02)
Running time
78 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Plot

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While vacationing in Italy, Nick Morell, son of John Morell, a famous English philosopher and amateur musician and his wife Catherine, becomes friendly with young Guido. Morell discovers Guido has an extraordinary instinct for orchestration and a phenomenal music memory. A neighbouring couple, Signor and Signora Boudini, become aware of the boy's talents, and the Signora appeals to Guido's parents to let her educate him musically. Torn between their love for their son and the duty they feel to let the world hear his talent, they eventually consent.

Guido is tutored by Dr. Lorenzo. Signora Bondini denies the boy all contact with his parents and everyone else except her. She also neither sends his letters to his family, nor lets him see the ones they have sent to him. He becomes phenomenally successful and makes the grand tour of Europe, while Signora Bondini is enraptured by the acclaim given her through her "discovery" of the boy. She prepares to take him to America and also prepares adoption papers.

Cast

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Production

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It was made at Pinewood Studios with sets designed by the art director Frederick Pusey. This was the last film produced in the Rank Organisation's "Independent Frame" production system, an attempt to innovate filmmaking.[1] When 12 years old Jeremy Spenser was given the part, he spent many weeks before filming began being taught how to conduct an orchestra by Marcus Dods, who was, at that time, assistant to film composer / conductor Muir Mathieson, with the result that Jeremy's conducting scenes looked convincing.

References

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