The Mercury Wonder Show Orson Welles

in 1943, 2 concurrent radio series (ceiling unlimited, hello americans) orson welles created cbs support war effort had ended. filming had wrapped on 1943 film adaptation of jane eyre , fee, in addition income regular guest-star roles in radio, made possible welles fulfill lifelong dream. approached war assistance league of southern california , proposed show evolved big-top spectacle, part circus , part magic show. offered services magician , director, , invested $40,000 of own money in extravaganza co-produced friend joseph cotten: mercury wonder show service men. members of u.s. armed forces admitted free of charge, while general public had pay. show entertained more 1,000 service members each night, , proceeds went war assistance league, charity military service personnel.

the development of show coincided resolution of welles s oft-changing draft status in may 1943, when declared 4-f—unfit military service—for variety of medical reasons. felt guilty war, welles told biographer barbara leaming. guilt-ridden civilian status. had been publicly hounded patriotism since citizen kane, when hearst press began persistent inquiries why welles had not been drafted.

the mercury wonder show ran august 3 – september 9, 1943, in 80-by-120-foot tent located @ 9000 cahuenga boulevard, in heart of hollywood.

at intermission september 7, 1943, kmpc radio interviewed audience , cast members of mercury wonder show—including welles , rita hayworth, married earlier day. welles remarked mercury wonder show had been performed approximately 48,000 members of u.s. armed forces.