The Children of Alda Nuova story
Frankie Fane is an American gangster hiding from United States law enforcement in Italy. He is wanted by U.S. officials because he use to sell drugs to schoolchildren. At the suggestion of an American tourist named Ainsley Crowder, Frankie visits an old Etruscan village named Alda Nouva. While on a tour, the children of the village rob him. They then toss him into a deep pit to slowly die. America officials manage to trace Frankie to the village. When they discover that he has vanished, they decide to give up the search, thinking that justice has not been served. Directed by: Robert Florey. Story by: Robert Wallsten.
14 total · 5 major · 9 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| adapting to life in a foreign culture | major | The American fugitive Frankie had much trouble ordering a bourbon at a Rome restaurant because of the language barrier. |
| child living on the streets | major | The titular children of the Alda Nuova village, who were poor or vagabond children, lured Frankie to a cemetery, robbed him for blind, and left him for dead. |
| murder | major | The story culminated with the murder of Frankie Fane by a grudging group of poor rural Italian youngsters. |
| poetic justice | major | Fate had it that the man who sold drugs to children was done in by children. |
| rural character vs. urban character | major | The simple characters in bucolic Alda Nuova were compared and contrasted with worldly and educated types like Ainsley, Frankie, and the police officer. |
| archaeology occupation | minor | Ainsley was working for a doctorate in archaeology. |
| being on the run from the law | minor | Frankie was hiding from United States law enforcement in Italy. |
| human idea about life | minor | In his sketch, Alfred Hitchcock shared these supposedly ancient words of wisdom: "When scrubbing floors never put all the furniture on one side of the room". |
| illegal drug trade | minor | It was revealed that Frankie was on the run from the law for having sold drugs to high school students. |
| law enforcement | minor | An Italian detective questioned the Alda Nuova villagers about Frankie's whereabouts. |