The Fountain of Youth
Synopsis
A darkly comic fable about vanity and desire, "The Fountain of Youth" follows a newly married couple whose relationship is destabilized by the arrival of a potion that promises centuries of youth and beauty—but in a quantity sufficient for only one person. As temptation and resentment grow, the gift becomes a catalyst for moral and emotional collapse. Written, directed, and narrated by Orson Welles and based on John Collier’s short story “Youth from Vienna,” the film uses stylized narration and experimental visual techniques to construct a compact essay on human vanity. (Note: Originally produced in 1956 as a television pilot and broadcast once in 1958 as part of NBC’s Colgate Theatre anthology series (S1E5); it later achieved independent archival and cultural status, including a 1958 Peabody Award.)
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Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Orson Welles
- Screenplay & Story
- Orson Welles, John Collier
- Original Title
- The Fountain of Youth
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 27m
- Production Studios
- Orson Welles Enterprises, Desilu Productions
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Orson Welles
Orson Welles, John Collier
Sidney Hickox
Bud Molin
Orson Welles, Desi Arnaz
Department Leadership Roster
Orson Welles
Director
Orson Welles
Writer
John Collier
Writer
Orson Welles
Producer
Orson Welles
Production Design
Bud Molin
Editor
Sidney Hickox
Director of Photography
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Fountain of Youth.
Featured In Curated Collections
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Orson Welles
Complete filmography of Orson Welles.
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Orson Welles
George Orson Welles (/ˈwɛlz/; May 6, 1915 – October 10, 1985) was an American actor, director, writer, and producer who worked in theatre, radio, and film. He is remembered for his innovative work in all three: in theatre, most notably Caesar (1937), a Broadway adaptation of William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar; in radio, the legendary 1938 broadcast "The War of the Worlds"; and in film, Citizen Kane (1941), consistently ranked as one of the greatest films ever made.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Fountain of Youth
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Fountain of Youth about?
A darkly comic fable about vanity and desire, "The Fountain of Youth" follows a newly married couple whose relationship is destabilized by the arrival of a potion that promises centuries of youth and beauty—but in a quantity sufficient for only one person. As temptation and resentment grow, the gift becomes a catalyst for moral and emotional collapse. Written, directed, and narrated by Orson Welles and based on John Collier’s short story “Youth from Vienna,” the film uses stylized narration and experimental visual techniques to construct a compact essay on human vanity. (Note: Originally produced in 1956 as a television pilot and broadcast once in 1958 as part of NBC’s Colgate Theatre anthology series (S1E5); it later achieved independent archival and cultural status, including a 1958 Peabody Award.)
Who directed The Fountain of Youth?
The Fountain of Youth was directed by Orson Welles.
Who stars in The Fountain of Youth?
The principal cast of The Fountain of Youth includes Marjorie Bennett, Madge Blake, Billy House, Rick Jason, Nancy Kulp.
When was The Fountain of Youth released and how long is it?
The Fountain of Youth was released in 1958 with a total runtime of 27m.