Prince Ghiacciolino (Carámbano in the Spanish version) is depressed. Wise men’s advice, the jester’s jokes or the delicacies that march in prepared by an army of cooks are of no use. Enchanted by a glowing reflection, he sets out to find the only thing he claims he really wants: a ray of sunshine. Or maybe he is just looking for an excuse to get away from his apprehensive royal parents. Whatever the reason may be, at the end of his journey he finds love. According to Frusta’s notes, an enchanting and graceful cinematic fairy tale with a hint of caricature. The narration is developed through a succession of visual ideas directly related to the story: the astronomers at work, the bright spot, and the appearance of Raggio di sole crowned by Schneider’s lions, which in actual fact were rather tame. Eventually spring returns to the ice country as well. It is almost a shame that the incredible royal sled pulled by penguins cannot be used anymore.

This is a very dramatic film. No one understands the prince’s deep-seated sadness. His parents, the king and queen, are desperate. Neither the nectar of the gods nor the best doctors are able to cure him. One day while closed up in his home a ray of sunlight appears. Terrified, he begins to travel around cold faraway lands, until he reaches the desert. He comes upon a palace called “Ray of Sun”, where a princess lives. The two young people fall in love and return together to the prince’s palace.

Filmoteca de Catalunya

Interesting and amusing discoveries can be made during a research such as the one the Cineteca and Il Cinema Ritrovato made about the Italian silent cinema. A copy of Raggio di sole (Sunbeam, in the American version) has been found at the Library of Congress, under the title of King Arthur, a fairy tale produced by Ambrosio, which is clearly inspired by Pathé films, a fact that makes it even more interesting.