The Boy Who Turned Yellow
The Boy Who Turned Yellow is the last film collaboration by the British filmmakers Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, and the last theatrical feature to be written by Emeric Pressburger or directed by Michael Powell. The film was made for the Children's Film Foundation.
Plot
John loses one of his pet mice, Alice, while on a school trip to the Tower of London. Upset back in class, he is sent home by his teacher for not paying attention during a lesson on electricity. Later that day on the London Underground, the train and everyone in it suddenly turns bright, vivid yellow. John's doctor declares that the condition is harmless and should wear off soon, but that evening John hears noises from his television set and meets the eccentric yellow-coloured Nick. The pair return to the Tower of London in an attempt to find Alice, but they are menaced by Yeoman Warders and John is threatened with execution. When John is finally reunited with his pet, he awakes in class. Was his adventure actually all just a dream?Cast
- Mark Dightam as John Saunders
- Robert Eddison as Nick
- Helen Weir as Mrs. Saunders
- Brian Worth as Mr. Saunders
- Esmond Knight as Doctor Ward
- Laurence Carter as Schoolteacher
- Patrick McAlinney as Supreme Beefeater
- Lem Dobbs as Munro
- Nigel Rathbone as Schoolboy
- Peter Schofield as Beefeater
Production
The film was the last collaboration by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, and the last feature film either were involved with. Powell and Pressburger also brought in some of their old colleagues from the days of The Archers, such as cinematographer Christopher Challis and actor Esmond Knight.Location shooting took place at sites around London:
- Tower of London, Whitechapel
- Holborn tube station, Aldwych branch platform
- Hampstead tube station, Hampstead
- Christchurch Hill, Hampstead
- Hampstead Heath, Hampstead
- Willow Road, Hampstead