Prelude to Fame

Prelude to Fame
Directed by	Fergus McDonell
Written by	Aldous Huxley (story "Young Archimedes") Robert Westerby Bridget Boland
Produced by	Donald B. Wilson
Starring	Guy Rolfe Kathleen Byron Kathleen Ryan
Cinematography	George Stretton
Edited by	Sidney Hayers
Music by	Muir Mathieson
Production company	Two Cities Films
Distributed by	General Film Distributors (UK) Universal-International (US)
Release dates	2 May 1950 (UK) 9 November 1950 (US)
Running time	78 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

Prelude to Fame is a 1950 British drama film 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 musical prodigy.

Plot[]

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 the boy has an extraordinary instinct for orchestration and a phenomenal music memory. A neighboring 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 by their love for their son and the duty they feel to let the world hear his talent, they consent.

Guido is tutored by Dr. Lorenzo. Signora Bondini denies the boy all contact with his parents and everyone else except her. She also has neither sent his letters to his family, nor let him see the ones they've 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[]

• Guy Rolfe as John Morell
• Kathleen Byron as Signora Anne Bondini
• Kathleen Ryan as Catherine Morell
• Jeremy Spenser as Guido Ferugia
• Henry Oscar as Signor Mario Bondini
• Rosalie Crutchley as Carlotta Ferugia
• John Slater as Dr. Lorenzo
• James Robertson Justice as Sir Arthur Harold
• Ferdy Mayne as Carlo Ferugia
• Robert Rietty as Giuseppe
• as Nick Morell
• Hugo Schuster as Dr. Freihaus
• Michael Balfour as Lucio
• Christopher Lee as Newsman
• David McCallum Sr. as Leader of orchestra, Royal Albert Hall
• as Leader of orchestra, Naples
• as Nick's Friend
• as Benjamino
• Ben Williams as Car Driver
• as Doorkeeper
• as Maid
• Leonard Trolley as Waiter

Production[]

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 a single foot of film was shot being taught how to conduct an orchestra by Marcus Dods, assistant to film composer / conductor Muir Mathieson, with the result that Jeremy's conducting scenes caught fire on film and looked very, very real.

References[]

External links[]

• Prelude to Fame at IMDb

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