Movie Depictions of Boys Clothes: Film Themes--Prodigies


Figure 1.--'Prelude to Fame' is an English film about a poor Italian boy prodigy. Here Guido listens to a phonograph for the first time..

We have noted several films which have been made with the prodigy theme. They commonly condemn the whole idea and not allowing the child to grow up 'naturally'. The idea of allowing a child to fully develop his special talents is never considred. This goes along with Hollywood's pronounced proclivities -- a populist outlook. Which is interesting givn the fortunes made by the people involved. Not to mention Hollywood's terrible record of the fate of child stars after they out grew child roles. No populist sypathy for Hollyood's child stats. The hypocracy is staggering. The prodigy films are mostly about boy prodigies, but in real life there are more boy han girl prodigies. Most are musical prodigies, which are probably the best known of all the various kinds of child prodigies. And they are th ones movie makers focus on.

Dangerous Holiday United States, 1937)

Hollywood set the pattern of imitation long ago. Republic Pictures noted the success of the musicals that Sol Lesser did with Bobby Breen. Republic created "Dangerous Holiday" as a suitable movie vehicle for violin prodigy Ra Hould. A young violin prodigy, Ronnie Campbell, with greedy relatives is unhappy about having to practice all day. He is coddled by his parents and handlers and misses playing and roughhouse like a regular boy. He runs away from home and alarms start ringing--it is assumed that he has been kidnapped. Ronnie males friends with street-urchins who come accross a gangster hideaway. Of course the kids outwit the crooks and in true Hollywood fashion, his parents promise to give Ronnie more freedom. Hedda Hopper appears in the film at just the time shee is beginning to become a major gossip columnist. Ra wears sailor suits, both white and blue ones as a prodigy. After he get his parents sorted out he befins wearing a regular suit. HBC readers might want to have a look at the prodigy pages.

Five Days in June (France, 1989)

Another is 'Five Days in June' (France, 1989) in which a musical prodigy and his mother become caught up in the Normandy D-Day invasion.

Prelude to Fame (England, 1950)

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.

(The) Wonder Kid (England, 1951)

The 1951 film 'The Wonder Kid' stared Bobby Henrey playing the part of a musical prodigy called Sebastian Giro. The screenplay was written by Gene Markey. The film was directed by Karl Hartl. The picture was filmed in the Austrian Tyrol and at the Isleworth Studios in England. This was Bobby Henrey’s second and final film. His first movie film was 'The Fallen Idol' (1948). In 'The Wonder Kid', Sebastian Giro is a French World war II orphan. He is a gifted pianist and came under the influence of a musical promoter, Mr. Gorik. He exploits the boy’s talent. Not only that but he embezzles the takings so that Sebastian receives only a pittance for his performances. Gorik is also mean to the boy by not allowing him to play with other children or have a pet dog. He is not allowed to read comic books. There are two touching scenes that illustrate the boys longing to play with other children. From his apartment window he watches boys playing football. He longs to play with them. He also sees a boy playing with his pet dog. Sebastian wishes the dog was his pet. He is looked after by a well experienced nanny, Miss Frisbie. She confronts Gorik about the way he is treating Sebastian. She also tells him she knows he is embezzling Sebastian’s money. She thinks of a plan to hire a gang of crooks to 'kidnap' the boy. They take him to the Austrian Tyrol where he has the time of his life fishing, swimming, reading comic books and the best of all having a dog to play with. In the film he is dressed in a Lord Fauntleroy suit when he is performing at a concert. Actually that was quite common in the early 20th century and even in the 1950s, prodigy could be dressed in rather juvenile outfits.







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Created: 12:15 AM 5/22/2013
Last updated: 3:12 AM 5/13/2017