Figure 1.--Here is a scene from the 2003 Italian version of "The Paul Street Boys"--"I Ragazzi della Via Pal" |
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Movie makers have produced several versions of "The Boys of Paul Street", the famed anti-war movel bu Hungarian author Ferenc Molnar (1878 - 1952) -- A Pal Utcai Fiuk. This reflects the fact that it was a beautiful book and that film makers in democratic countries like to make anti-war films. Interestingly we do not see films making the point of what has occured because countries did not maintain adequate defenses. The films have generally been made when anti-war sentiment has been particularly prevalent. The first film version was "A Pál utcai fiúk" (1919) was made in the aftermath of World War I. This was a silent film by Hungarian director Béla Balogh. "No Greater Glory" (1934) American film by U.S. director Frank Borzage and released by Columbia Pictures. It was made during the period in which isolationist and anti-war sentiment was pronounced. At about the same time, "I ragazzi della via Paal" (1935) was made by Italian film directors Alberto Mondadori and Mario Monicelli. We do not know much about this version, but we doubt an anti-war film was made in Fascist Italy as they were invading Ethiopia. A reader writes, "I'd like to see this version, but I only know of it. Makes me think the Fascists must have skipped the last chapter of the book when they decided to make this film!" "The Boys of Paul Street" (1969) was a British/Hungarian production, directed by the Hungarian director Zoltán Fábri. It was made kin the anti-war enviroment following the Vietnam War. Another Italian version, "I Ragazzi della Via Pal" (2003) was made following the Iraq War.
This is an autobiographical novel by Ferenc Molnár (1878-1952). Molnár was a war correspndent during World War I. He became a Hungarian dramatist and novelist. He emigrated to the United States (1940). He thus managed to escape the NAZI Holocaust. As a Jew and notable anti-war writer, he would have been a special target. His works were not published during the Communist era, but is today Hungary's best known author. The book is set in Budapest. nterestingly, Molnár published this was before World War I in the super-heated environment of European nationalism, massive military spending, and rising ethnic tensions. It was translated after the War into English (1927) and is at this time that really caught popular attention because of the popular antgi-War and pacifist sentiment. The book was translated into English for a second time (1994). The 1994 translation is a good one and it is easy to read. American's should find this a good read. It is still in print. A Pal Utcai Fiuk translates of course exactly as "The Boys of Paul Stree"--a street which actually exists in Budapest. The book is much better known in Europe than America, according to one source because of the lack of a good translation. The work is considered an anti-war book. This is certainlly the theme that "No Greater Glory" picked up on. Notably at about the same time, "I ragazzi della via Paal" was released in Italy (1935). It was directed cby Alberto Mondadori and Mario Monicelli and did not pursue the anti-war theme. The anti-war theme may be a simplification of the book, largely due to the impact of World War I on popular thought. Othert themes such as solidarity and self-sacrifice are strongly developed in the book. One difference between "No Greater Glory" and Boys of Paul Street comes to mind, The former was set after World War I, the latter about 1906. A reader writes, "Ference Molnar wrote "Paul Street" and this work reflects his anti-war feelings at the time. Some reviewers read "Paul Street" and praise the values of patriotism (defense of the vacant lot), gallantry in a good cause, and comradeship which the boys display. I'd say that the novel's theme - though not necessarily one that either you or I share - is war's futility." Another reader writes, "Wars will always be with us, but Ference Molnar seems to ask, 'And what ever comes from them?' More war." Here HBC would not agree. This is certainly the case of World War I. World War I settled nothing, except it blocked a permanetly German controlled Europe--a not inconsequential matter. World War II settled a great deal and a great deal of good came of it. 1) The Allies stoped mass morder perpetrated by the NAZIs and Japanese militarists. 2) All of the Axis powers became democratic and fully integrated into the world community. (Few would have believced that possible in 1940, but is today taken in a matter of facr way). 3) A united Europe was another outcome. 4) Eastern Europe was left a Soviet colony, but in the was liberated. 5) War in Europe was essentially ended, 6) Decolonization began. That is quite a list of positive results. It is tragic that it took such a horendous war to set all of this in motion.
Movie makers have produced several versions of "The Boys of Paul Street", the famed anti-war movel bu Hungarian author Ferenc Molnar (1878 - 1952) -- A Pal Utcai Fiuk. This reflects the fact that it was a beautiful book and that film makers in democratic countries like to make anti-war films. Interestingly we do not see films making the point of what has occured because countries did not maintain adequate defenses. The films have generally been made when anti-war sentiment has been particularly prevalent.
The first film version was "A Pál utcai fiúk" (1919) was made in the aftermath of World War I. This was a silent film by Hungarian director Béla Balogh. This was during the short-lived Communist Government. We don't know if that affected production.
This is a school story based on The Paul Street Boys. This is an autobiographical novel by Ferenc Molnar and set in Budapest. This American version persues the same twin themes, the pain of youth and the wasteful senselessness of war. Anti-war films were poplar in America and Britain in the 1920s and 30s. The popular premse was that war was caused by greedy arms manufacturers. As was soon to become apparent, however, the democracies by largely disarming were making themselves vulnerable to totalitarian powers that were arming to the hilt. Frail Nemecsek is a lonely boy who has trouble making friends. He yearns to be accepted by the other boys in his class. In particular he is attracted to Boka, who has organized a gang of the local boys. By gang we mean the more benign usage of the word popular at mid-century. A group of school boys that hung out together. The boys even have a uniform and flag. Nemecsek sees an opportunity to gain the acceptance and even admiration of the other boys when their flag is stolen by another group of boys. Nemecsek is played by George P. Breakston. Boka is played by Jimmy Butler. Gereb is played by Jackie Searl.
At about the same time, "I ragazzi della via Paal" (1935) was made by Italian film directors Alberto Mondadori and Mario Monicelli. We do not know much about this version, but we doubt an anti-war film was made in Fascist Italy as they were invading Ethiopia. A reader writes, "I'd like to see this version, but I only know of it. Makes me think the Fascists must have skipped the last chapter of the book when they decided to make this film!" There are aspects which may have appealed to the Fascists, especually the bravery with which the boys defended their nighborhood. We don't know much about the Italian films, but hope our Italian readers will be able to offer some insights.
"The Boys of Paul Street" (1969) was a British/Hungarian production, directed by the Hungarian director Zoltán Fábri. It was made kin the anti-war enviroment following the Vietnam War.Some of the clothes in the 1960's version of the film look look like they were influenced by the Mod fashions of the era. A reader writes, "I like the 1967 filmed version of "Paul Street" more than "No Greater Glory"; maybe because that was my introduction to the story."
Another Italian version, "I Ragazzi della Via Pal" (2003) was made following the Iraq War. We have not seen this version. The brief available description of the film praises its visual qualities but faults its differences from the original story. No mention what those changes were. The images show the young actors in clothes very similar to those of "No Greater Glory".
A reader writes, "The book is widely read through out Europe. There was a Swedish family at the monument outside the school in Paul Street. The family had brought their children to see the location of the book. Interestingly the Hungarian Holocaust Museum is near by." I am sure that the Swedish children are well imbued with the evils of war and the moral superiority of neutrality, and pacifism. I'd be willing to bet that very few are told by their teachers of the central role the Swedes played in the German war economy and war effort during World War II. Sweden in effect bought their temporary independence by putting many other countries in danger, actually in effect Western civilization itself. Both the book and movie are important and can lead to a good class discussion. What gets me is that the schools today tend to provide only one side of the issue. Our reader responds, "I agree. The children were 7 and 8 years old. Took a photograph. The book is not that well known in England. It was your movie pages that put me onto it and then I bought the book and went in search of the monument in Paul Street but missed it on my first visit!"
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