It is based on the 1924 story "Young Archimides" by Aldous Huxley, about a mathematical prodigy who is also gifted in music.

Torn between their love for their son and the duty they feel to let the world hear his talent, they eventually consent.

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.

This was the last film produced in the Rank Organisation's "Independent Frame" production system, an attempt to innovate filmmaking.

[1] When 12-year-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.