passion for study, and especially for astronomy, geometry,
geodesy, and the exact science of the day."

   Quite easy. On spins the film. Young Christopher in a
garret room (all movie study is done in garrets). The
cardboard ceiling slopes within six inches of his head.
This shows that the boy never rises from his books. He
can't. On a table in front of him is a little globe and
a pair of compasses. Christopher spins the globe round.
Then he makes two circles with the compasses, one after
the other, very carefully. This is the recognised movie
symbol for mathematical research.

   So there we have Christopher—poor, honest, studious,
full of circles.

   Now to the book again.

   "…The young Columbus received his education at the
monastery of the Franciscan monks at Genoa. Here he spent
seven years."

   Yes, but we can put that on the screen in seven seconds.

   Turn on the film.

   Movie Monastery—exterior, done in grey cardboard—ding,
dong, ding, dong (man in the orchestra with triangle and
stick)—procession of movie friars—faces more like thugs,
but never mind—they are friars because they walk two
and two in a procession, singing out of hymn books.

   Now for the book again.

   "…Fra Giacomo, the prior of the monastery, delighted
with the boy's progress, encourages his studies."

   Wait a minute.

   FRA GIACOMO… Mr. Edward Sims

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