Orson Welles and The War Of The Worlds Radio Play

[charliechaplinfan]

I think so too. Whenever I come to a thread or film of Welles's I always wonder why I haven't yet managed to tackle a book about him. I suppose I don't want to be dissappointed, I prefer to think of him in his glory days.

[RedRiver]

I hardly ever read books about filmmakers. I generally hole up with a novel.

[ChiO]

CCF wrote:
I prefer to think of him in his glory days.

For some us that would extend to 1985 (his death) when he was still working -- or trying to work -- in and on film and inspiring others.

And two of his greatest films were shot and completed in the '70s. In some respects, CITIZEN KANE (1941) and THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS (1942) were the bane of his career because some think everything after that pales in comparison. Although they are (or, perhaps, in the case of the latter, could have been) masterpieces, TOUCH OF EVIL (1958), THE TRIAL (1962), CHIMES AT MIDNIGHT (1968) and F FOR FAKE (1974) are just as fascinating. Just because he was a Boy Genius doesn't mean he wasn't an Older Genius as well.

[RedRiver]

You know what? I'm OK with AMBERSONS just as it is. The book is more complex. I suspect an unimpeded Welles film would have been too. But the finished product tells a good story; tells it efficiently. It's inriguing and satisfying; atmospheric and dramatic. Orson Welles' "other masterpiece" deserves some credit.

[ChiO]

That other one is a masterpiece...right up to the ending, which turns it all upside down. It's that ending, reshot without Welles, that keeps it from full "masterpiece" status for me.

[RedRiver]

I relate to your frustration. For a magnificent movie with a tagged on ending, just see my user name.

[charliechaplinfan]

CCF wrote:
I prefer to think of him in his glory days.

For some us that would extend to 1985 (his death) when he was still working -- or trying to work -- in and on film and inspiring others.

And two of his greatest films were shot and completed in the '70s. In some respects, CITIZEN KANE (1941) and THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS (1942) were the bane of his career because some think everything after that pales in comparison. Although they are (or, perhaps, in the case of the latter, could have been) masterpieces, TOUCH OF EVIL (1958), THE TRIAL (1962), CHIMES AT MIDNIGHT (1968) and F FOR FAKE (1974) are just as fascinating. Just because he was a Boy Genius doesn't mean he wasn't an Older Genius as well.

I'm glad, I've been reading too many books about others who take this line with Welles. I think too I want to really appreciate how great his work is. It's been a long while since I watched Citizen Kane, I can see it's innovative and he is larger than life, one of the screen most charismatic performers but I wouldn't list it as one of my favorites. I watched The Trial and it struck a wrong note with me, yet I love his Shakespeare films. I love Lady From Shanghai, so I've come to the conclusion that I love Welles the actor and don't always 'get' Welles the director.