"George Orson Welles" (May 6, 1915 - October 10, 1985) is commonly considered one of Hollywood's greatest directors, as well as a fine actor and screenwriter.
Welles was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin.He had a bizarre childhood:His parents applied enormous pressure on his older brother Dickie to become a great and famous person.Dickie Welles was terribly unsuited to this role and became a homeless drunk.Orson inherited the role of wonder boy and seemed magically adept at it, though his personal relationships surely suffered because of it.
He made his stage debut in Dublin, Ireland, in 1931 and by 1934 was a radio producer in the United States.It was a radio production, ''War of the Worlds'', broadcast on October 30, 1938, that first brought him public notoriety -- the program created panic among listeners who found it completely convincing.Welles's adaptation of H. G. Wells's classic novel simulated a news broadcast, cutting into a routine dance music program, describing the landing of Martian spacecraft in Grovers Mill, New Jersey.The broadcast was realistic enough to frighten many in the audience into believing that an actual Martian invasion was in progress. Recordings of the broadcast are still available (see old-time radio).
An arrogant man who showed little tact in dealing with film studios, Welles had trouble financing his films after ''Citizen Kane'' (1941). The gossip writer Louella Parsons convinced the yellow-press magnate, William Randolph Hearst, that he was the basis for Kane, a figure pilloried in scorn and derision. Hearst and his newspapers and other media outlets boycotted the film.Since the film clearly ''was'' based on Hearst, any dismay on Welles's part would have been disingenuous.
Studios often wrested control of the films from him, making drastic cuts or changing endings: Welles's original ending to ''The Magnificent Ambersons'' has been lost, apparently permanently. ''Touch of Evil'' was also butchered by the studio but has since been restored to something like what Welles intended.
Welles starred in many of his films and wrote the scripts, often using the talents of the Mercury Theatre company, which he had founded in 1937.These included several stories from English literature, such as ''Macbeth'' (1948), ''Jane Eyre'' (in which he appeared opposite Joan Fontaine), and ''Chimes at Midnight'' (1965), an underrated classic in which Welles played Falstaff.
During his career he won one Oscar and was nominated for a further four.One of his last notable film appearances was as Cardinal Wolsey in ''A Man for All Seasons''(1966). In 1971 the Academy gave him an Honorary award "For superlative artistry and versatility in the creation of motion pictures".
Always a large figure of a man, he achieved full-blown obesity in his later years.He capitalized on his image in various advertising campaigns hawking certain brands of wines, hot dogs, and correspondence courses.
He was an aficionado of stage magic and often appeared at Hollywood's Magic Castle.He died of a heart attack in Hollywood, California (U.S.A.).
"His works as a director include the following films (Welles also starred in many of them):"
*''Citizen Kane'' - won Oscar for Best Writing, Original Screenplay; nominated for best actor, best picture and best director.
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Orson Welles in the News
1000 USATODAY.com - 'Third Man' walking
Feb 27, 2004 ... as they wind down a steep spiral stairway into the city's bowels, the ghost of - Harry Lime (a smirking and sinister Orson Welles) seems quite close, indeed. ...
www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/20 04-02-26-third-man_x.htm
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2004-02-26-third-man_x.htm (USA Today)
1000 Review: 'Cat's Meow' fascinating, well done
(04.19.2002)Director Peter Bogdanovich has long been fascinated with Hollywood history. He's written numerous books about the subject, including a biography about his friend and mentor Orson Welles.
http://search.cnn.com/cnn/redir?source=cnn&errorFlag=0&requestId=17589&a... (CNN)
1000 Pioneer Press | 03/01/2004 | TELEVISION REVIEW: Surprise! Wood's biopic does right by her
TELEVISION REVIEW: Surprise! There are those film fans who love the art of moviemaking ? the play of light and color, camera motion, editing and special effects. Then there are film fans who love the romance of movie stars ? their glamour, grace and larger-than-life crises.
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/entertainment/8060238.htm (AltaVista News)
977 Showbuzz
(10.08.1999)HOLLYWOOD CNN Milton Berles defamation lawsuit against a magazine he says portrayed him as gay has been thrown out, the judge saying that a California court is the wrong venue. According to Berles attorney, the 91yearold entertainer...
http://search.cnn.com/cnn/redir?source=cnn&errorFlag=0&requestId=17589&a... (CNN)
975 The piano man meets the choreographer
Billy Joel had received the call before, plenty of times, from major Hollywood producers and respected television writers and a few anonymous wannabes.
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2004/02/29/the_piano_man_meets_... (AltaVista News)
970 The Estate of Orson Welles Main Index
... reading... The Films of Orson Welles. A comprehensive listing of Welles' - films, The Youthful Welles. Orson's younger years and birthplace, ... www.bway.net/~nipper/home.html
http://www.bway.net/~nipper/home.html (USA Today)
954 The ten best films of the Top 100
(06.20.1998)CNN Well, the American Film Institutes euphemistically named Top 100 American Movies list is now set in concrete, and, as I expected, its a pretty nutty affair. There are unavoidable pitfalls in trying to compile something like this,...
http://search.cnn.com/cnn/redir?source=cnn&errorFlag=0&requestId=17589&a... (CNN)
950 Hollywood and the White House
On Nov. 4, 1944, Frank Sinatra performed for a crowd of 40,000 in Boston's Fenway Park. But they hadn't come to hear him. Nor were they there for Orson Welles, who followed Sinatra's "Star Spangled Banner" with a spitfire oration excoriating Republican nominee Thomas E. Dewey.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0224/p15s02-bogn.html (AltaVista News)
940 The Estate of Orson Welles - Home Page
Visitors to date: This website was launched: - May, 1997. Webmaster: Nathaniel S. Johnson. Description:
Tribute page with biography, filmography, chronology of radio and theater work, recommended books and links.www.bway.net/~nipper/
http://www.bway.net/~nipper/ (USA Today)
931 Peter Bogdanovich on fame and failure
(04.18.2002)In the early 1970s, in just 18 months, Peter Bogdanovich had three hit movies: "The Last Picture Show" (1971), "What's Up Doc?" (1972), and "Paper Moon" (1973).
http://search.cnn.com/cnn/redir?source=cnn&errorFlag=0&requestId=17589&a... (CNN)
925 The Smoky Silver Screen
FRIDAY, Feb. 27 (HealthDayNews) -- During the Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday, Hollywood stars will keep their cigarettes tucked away in their purses and pockets, but on the silver screen it's a different story.
http://www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp?S=1675144 (AltaVista News)
910 Orson Welles at Reel Classics
Though little appreciated in his time, Orson Welles is today one of classic Hollywood's - most acclaimed cinematic visionaries and was once nominated for Academy ... Description:
Pictures, audio clips and film details.www.reelclassics.com/Actors/Well es/welles.htm
http://www.reelclassics.com/Actors/Welles/welles.htm (USA Today)
908 Liev Schreiber
(09.06.2000)Liev Schreiber began his career on stage and in art-house films like "Party Girl" (1995), "Walking and Talking" (1996), and "Daytrippers" (1996).
http://search.cnn.com/cnn/redir?source=cnn&errorFlag=0&requestId=17589&a... (CNN)
900 Actor John Randolph dies at 88
HOLLYWOOD -- John Randolph, a Tony Award-winning stage, screen and television character actor and a union and social activist who was blacklisted during the McCarthy era, has died. He was 88.
http://www.myinky.com/ecp/gleaner_news/article/0,1626,ECP_4476_2689575,00.html (AltaVista News)
881 G . O . W . PAGES - Home
Mr. George Orson Welles. ... ..Introducing - Orson Welles! Biography Orson - Quotes Citizen Kane War of the Welles Picture Gallery Filmography ... Description:
Fanpage with biography, filmography, picture gallery, quotations and links.www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Theate r/1612/
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Theater/1612/ (USA Today)
875 For Ephs, it's a name game
As the Ephmen hoopsters battle through the postseason on their quest for a second straight national championship, I'm in awe of how far they've come given head coach Dave Paulsen's unconventional method of selecting players.
http://www.thetranscript.com/Stories/0,1413,103~9074~1985503,00.html (AltaVista News)
862 Review Cradle Will Rock brings history to life
(12.10.1999)CNN Over the years, angry clashes between American politicians and American artists have frequently resulted in bitter showdowns over freedom of expression. Consider the anguished breastbeating between the National Endowment of the...
http://search.cnn.com/cnn/redir?source=cnn&errorFlag=0&requestId=17589&a... (CNN)
851 Amazon.com: Books: This is Orson Welles
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0 30680834X?v=glance
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/030680834X?v=glance (USA Today)
850 If history is any indication, this year's Oscars will go to actors who played characters least like themselves Oscar loves a strong character over a p
In the early 1950s, Humphrey Bogart and the young Richard Burton were drinking buddies who'd often have friendly arguments about the respective merits of British and American film acting.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2004/02/27/DDGPL5... (AltaVista News)
839 Review: 'Adventures of Kavalier & Clay' work of a literary superhero
(09.22.2000)"The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay"By Michael ChabonRandom HouseFiction639 pages
http://search.cnn.com/cnn/redir?source=cnn&errorFlag=0&requestId=17589&a... (CNN)
Orson Welles on the Web
1000 Mercury Theatre on the Air
Real Audio recordings of the 1930's radio show created by Orson Welles.
http://www.unknown.nu/mercury/ (AskJeeves/Teoma)
975 Orson Welles
Orson Welles - Filmography, Awards, Biography, Agent, Discussions, Photos, News Articles, Fan Sites...
http://us.imdb.com/Name?Welles,+Orson (AskJeeves/Teoma)
950 The Estate of Orson Welles Main Index
Welles and the Mercury on the boards. A comprehensive listing of Welles' films ... Orson's younger years and birthplace ... More Welles information...
http://www.bway.net/~nipper/home.html (AskJeeves/Teoma)
925 The G.O.W. Pages - Orson Welles
Mr. George Orson Welles. This is a new intro, and I hope you are a new visitor to my site, that way you won't notice the difference.
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Theater/1612/ (AskJeeves/Teoma)
900 War of the Worlds: How Orson Welles Drew the Nation into a Shared
War of the Worlds: This panic created by Orson Welles foreshadowed the age of simulation we now live in, when we are all manipulated by theatrical...
http://www.transparencynow.com/welles.htm (AskJeeves/Teoma)
875 Elizabeth's Orson Welles Page
Orson Welles. Awards | Downloads | Links | Image Credits...
http://www.reelclassics.com/Actors/Welles/welles.htm (AskJeeves/Teoma)
850 Deep Focus: Orson Welles
The Life of Orson Welles. With a single feature film, the first one he ever made, Orson Welles changed the way motion pictures were made.
http://www.imsa.edu/~mitch/directors/welles.html (AskJeeves/Teoma)
825 Buy Around the World With Orson Welles DVD - Deepdiscountdvd.com
We have thousands of DVDs and titles for your DVD purchase. DeepDiscountDVD offers extreme discounted prices. - buy AROUND THE WORLD WITH ORSON...
http://www.deepdiscountdvd.com/buy_around_the_world_with_orson_welles_dvd (AskJeeves/Teoma)
800 The War of the Worlds - The Script
ANNOUNCER: Ladies and gentlemen: the director of the Mercury Theatre and star of these broadcasts, Orson Welles...
http://members.aol.com/jeff1070/script.html (AskJeeves/Teoma)
775 Archive Photos: Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth
Preview this article and search all eLibrary sources like Time, Fortune and 100s more. Free 7-day trial with credit card required for full articles.
http://ask.elibrary.com/ (AskJeeves/Teoma)
750 Greatest FilmsCitizen Kane
The castle's owner is Charles Foster Kane (Orson Welles), publisher of the New York Inquirer: Another title card:
http://www.filmsite.org/citi.html (AskJeeves/Teoma)
725 Citizen Brain
"What could a maverick film director and a lab mouse bent on world domination have in common?" This site compares The Brain and Orson Welles. Humor...
http://www.swlink.net/~tudorose/b2.htm (AskJeeves/Teoma)
700 TV-Now: Orson Welles
Orson Welles Current Month TV Schedule...
http://www.tv-now.com/stars/welles.html (AskJeeves/Teoma)
675 Chymes.rog - Orson Welles Resources
Orson Welles Information and Resources : chymes.org...
http://www.chymes.org/hyper/welles.html (AskJeeves/Teoma)
650 1938 War of the Worlds Broadcast
Wavs of the famous Orson Welles & The Mercury Theatre On-The-Air radio broadcast of H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds...
http://www.earthstation1.com/wotw.html (AskJeeves/Teoma)
625 The Estate of Orson Welles
Tribute page with biography, filmography, chronology of radio and theater work, recommended books and links.
http://www.bway.net/~nipper/ (AskJeeves/Teoma)
600 The Essential Orson Welles
The Essential Orson Welles...
http://www.pocketessentials.com/film/orsonwelles/welles-essay.html (AskJeeves/Teoma)
575 Of Orson Welles
'Everybody was very angry with young directorial genius Orson Welles... after a broadcast making many Americans hysterical and causing minor...
http://members.aol.com/benedit2/owelles.html (AskJeeves/Teoma)
550 Release Date: Feb 4 2003, Release Date: Feb 4 2003,
Shop here for Film Noir Vol. 1: The Stranger/Cause For Alarm...
http://www.amazon.com/Film-Noir-Vol-1-The-StrangerCause-For-Alarm.html (AskJeeves/Teoma)
526 Orson Welles Resource Page -- Presented by R Cubed Productions
R Cubed Productions Orson Welles Page...
http://www.rcubedproductions.com/orson.html (AskJeeves/Teoma)
