Hollywood (1939–1948) Orson Welles

1 hollywood (1939–1948)

1.1 citizen kane
1.2 magnificent ambersons
1.3 journey fear
1.4 war work

1.4.1 goodwill ambassador
1.4.2 s true
1.4.3 radio (1942–43)
1.4.4 mercury wonder show
1.4.5 radio (1944–45)


1.5 stranger
1.6 around world
1.7 radio (1946)
1.8 lady shanghai
1.9 macbeth

hollywood (1939–1948)

rko radio pictures president george schaefer offered welles considered greatest contract offered filmmaker, less 1 untried. engaging him write, produce, direct , perform in 2 motion pictures, contract subordinated studio s financial interests welles s creative control, , broke precedent granting welles right of final cut. after signing summary agreement rko on july 22, welles signed full-length 63-page contract august 21, 1939. agreement bitterly resented hollywood studios , persistently mocked in trade press.

citizen kane

rko rejected welles s first 2 movie proposals, agreed on third offer—citizen kane. welles co-wrote, produced , directed film, , performed lead role. welles conceived project screenwriter herman j. mankiewicz, writing radio plays campbell playhouse. mankiewicz based original outline on life of william randolph hearst, whom knew socially , came hate after being exiled hearst s circle.

after agreeing on storyline , character, welles supplied mankiewicz 300 pages of notes , put him under contract write first draft screenplay under supervision of john houseman. welles wrote own draft, drastically condensed , rearranged both versions , added scenes of own. industry accused welles of underplaying mankiewicz s contribution script, welles countered attacks saying, @ end, naturally, 1 making picture, after all—who had make decisions. used wanted of mank s and, rightly or wrongly, kept liked of own.

welles s project attracted of hollywood s best technicians, including cinematographer gregg toland. cast, welles used actors mercury theatre. filming citizen kane took ten weeks.

hearst s newspapers barred reference citizen kane , exerted enormous pressure on hollywood film community force rko shelve film. rko chief george schaefer received cash offer mgm s louis b. mayer , other major studio executives if destroy negative , existing prints of film.

while waiting citizen kane released, welles produced , directed original broadway production of native son, drama written paul green , richard wright based on wright s novel. starring canada lee, show ran march 24 – june 28, 1941, @ st. james theatre. mercury production last time welles , houseman worked together.

citizen kane given limited release , film received overwhelming critical praise. voted best picture of 1941 national board of review , new york film critics circle. film garnered 9 academy award nominations won best original screenplay, shared mankiewicz , welles. variety reported block voting screen extras deprived citizen kane of oscars best picture , best actor (welles), , similar prejudices have been responsible film receiving no technical awards.

the delay in film s release , uneven distribution contributed mediocre results @ box office. after ran course theatrically, citizen kane retired vault in 1942. in postwar france, however, film s reputation grew after seen first time in 1946. in united states, began re-evaluated after began appear on television in 1956. year re-released theatrically, , film critic andrew sarris described great american film , work influenced cinema more profoundly american film since birth of nation. citizen kane hailed 1 of greatest films ever made.

the magnificent ambersons

orson welles @ work on magnificent ambersons (1942)

welles s second film rko magnificent ambersons, adapted welles pulitzer prize-winning novel booth tarkington. toland not available, stanley cortez named cinematographer. meticulous cortez worked , film lagged behind schedule , on budget. prior production, welles s contract renegotiated, revoking right control final cut. magnificent ambersons in production october 28, 1941 – january 22, 1942.

throughout shooting of film welles producing weekly half-hour radio series, orson welles show. many of ambersons cast participated in cbs radio series, ran september 15, 1941 – february 2, 1942.

journey fear

at rko s request, welles worked on adaptation of eric ambler s spy thriller, journey fear, co-written joseph cotten. in addition acting in film, welles producer. direction credited norman foster. welles later said in such rush director of each scene determined whoever closest camera.

journey fear in production january 6–march 12, 1942.

war work
goodwill ambassador

delia garcés , welles @ argentine film critics association awards reception citizen kane (april 1942)

in late november 1941, welles appointed goodwill ambassador latin america nelson rockefeller, u.s. coordinator of inter-american affairs , principal stockholder in rko radio pictures. mission of ociaa cultural diplomacy, promoting hemispheric solidarity , countering growing influence of axis powers in latin america. john hay whitney, head of agency s motion picture division, asked brazilian government produce documentary of annual rio carnival celebration taking place in february 1942. in telegram december 20, 1941, whitney wrote welles, believe make great contribution hemisphere solidarity project.

the ociaa sponsored cultural tours latin america , appointed goodwill ambassadors including george balanchine , american ballet, bing crosby, aaron copland, walt disney, john ford , rita hayworth. welles thoroughly briefed in washington, d.c., before departure brazil, , film scholar catherine l. benamou, specialist in latin american affairs, finds not unlikely among goodwill ambassadors asked gather intelligence u.s. government in addition cultural duties. concludes welles s acceptance of whitney s request logical , patently patriotic choice .

in addition working on ill-fated film project, s true, welles responsible radio programs, lectures, interviews , informal talks part of ociaa-sponsored cultural mission, regarded success. spoke on topics ranging shakespeare visual art @ gatherings of brazil s elite, , 2 intercontinental radio broadcasts in april 1942 particularly intended tell u.s. audiences president vargas partner allies. welles s ambassadorial mission extended permit travel other nations including argentina, bolivia, chile, colombia, ecuador, guatemala, mexico, peru , uruguay. welles worked more half year no compensation.

welles s own expectations film modest. s true not going make cinematic history, nor intended to, later said. intended honorable execution of job goodwill ambassador, bringing entertainment northern hemisphere showed them southern one.

it s true

in july 1941, welles conceived s true omnibus film mixing documentary , docufiction in project emphasized dignity of labor , celebrated cultural , ethnic diversity of north america. have been third film rko, following citizen kane (1941) , magnificent ambersons (1942). duke ellington put under contract score segment working title, story of jazz , drawn louis armstrong s 1936 autobiography, swing music. armstrong cast play himself in brief dramatization of history of jazz performance, roots place in american culture in 1940s. story of jazz go production in december 1941.

mercury productions purchased stories 2 other segments— friend bonito , captain s chair —from documentary filmmaker robert j. flaherty. adapted norman foster , john fante, friend bonito segment of original s true go production. filming took place in mexico september–december 1941, norman foster directing under welles s supervision.

in december 1941, office of coordinator of inter-american affairs asked welles make film in brazil showcase carnaval in rio de janeiro. filming of friend bonito two-thirds complete, welles decided shift geography of s true , incorporate flaherty s story omnibus film latin america—supporting roosevelt administration s neighbor policy, welles advocated. in revised concept, story of jazz replaced story of samba, musical form comparable history , 1 came fascinate welles. decided ripped-from-the-headlines episode epic voyage of 4 poor brazilian fishermen, jangadeiros, had become national heroes. welles later said valuable story.

required film carnaval in rio de janeiro in february 1942, welles rushed edit magnificent ambersons , finish acting scenes in journey fear. ended lucrative cbs radio show february 2, flew washington, d.c., briefing, , lashed rough cut of ambersons in miami editor robert wise. welles recorded film s narration night before left south america: went projection room @ 4 in morning, did whole thing, , got on plane , off rio—and end of civilization know it.

welles left brazil on february 4 , began filming in rio february 8, 1942. @ time did not seem welles s other film projects disrupted, film historian catherine l. benamou wrote, ambassadorial appointment first in series of turning points leading—in zigs , zags, rather in straight line—to welles s loss of complete directorial control on both magnificent ambersons , s true, cancellation of contract @ rko radio studio, expulsion of company mercury productions rko lot, and, ultimately, total suspension of s true.

in 1942 rko pictures underwent major changes under new management. nelson rockefeller, primary backer of brazil project, left board of directors, , welles s principal sponsor @ rko, studio president george schaefer, resigned. rko took control of ambersons , edited film studio considered commercial format. welles s attempts protect version failed. in south america, welles requested resources finish s true. given limited amount of black-and-white film stock , silent camera, able finish shooting episode jangadeiros, rko refused support further production on film.

fired rko, welles later recalled. , made great publicity point of fact had gone south america without script , thrown money away. never recovered attack. later in 1942, when rko pictures began promoting new corporate motto, showmanship in place of genius: new deal @ rko , welles understood reference him.

radio (1942–43)

welles returned united states august 22, 1942, after more 6 months in south america. week after return produced , emceed first 2 hours of seven-hour coast-to-coast war bond drive broadcast titled pledge america. airing august 29, 1942, on blue network, program presented in cooperation united states department of treasury, western union (which wired bond subscriptions free of charge) , american women s voluntary services. featuring 21 dance bands , score of stage , screen , radio stars, broadcast raised more $10 million—more $146 million today—for war effort.

on october 12, 1942, cavalcade of america presented welles s radio play, admiral of ocean sea, entertaining , factual @ legend of christopher columbus.

belongs period when hemispheric unity crucial matter , many programs being devoted common heritage of americas, wrote broadcasting historian erik barnouw. many such programs being translated spanish , portuguese , broadcast latin america, counteract many years of successful axis propaganda area. axis, trying stir latin america against anglo-america, had emphasized differences between two. became job of american radio emphasize common experience , essential unity.

admiral of ocean sea, known columbus day, begins words, hello americans —the title welles choose own series 5 weeks later.

hello americans, cbs radio series broadcast november 15, 1942 – january 31, 1943, produced, directed , hosted welles under auspices of office of coordinator inter-american affairs. 30-minute weekly program promoted inter-american understanding , friendship, drawing upon research amassed ill-fated film, s true. series produced concurrently welles s other cbs series, ceiling unlimited (november 9, 1942 – february 1, 1943), sponsored lockheed-vega corporation. program conceived glorify aviation industry , dramatize role in world war ii. welles s shows regarded significant contributions war effort.

throughout war welles worked on patriotic radio programs including command performance, g.i. journal, mail call, nazi eyes on canada, stage door canteen , treasury star parade.

the mercury wonder show

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.

radio (1944–45)

the idea of doing radio variety show occurred welles after success substitute host of 4 consecutive episodes (march 14 – april 4, 1943) of jack benny program, radio s popular show, when benny contracted pneumonia on performance tour of military bases. half-hour variety show broadcast january 26 – july 19, 1944, on columbia pacific network, orson welles almanac presented sketch comedy, magic, mindreading, music , readings classic works. many of shows originated on u.s. military camps, welles , repertory company , guests entertained troops reduced version of mercury wonder show. performances of all-star jazz group welles brought show popular band became regular feature , important force in reviving interest in traditional new orleans jazz.

welles placed on u.s. treasury payroll on may 15, 1944, expert consultant duration of war, retainer of $1 year. on recommendation of president franklin d. roosevelt, secretary of treasury henry morgenthau asked welles lead fifth war loan drive, opened june 12 one-hour radio show on 4 networks, broadcast texarkana, texas. including statement president, program defined causes of war , encouraged americans buy $16 billion in bonds finance normandy landings , violent phase of world war ii. welles produced additional war loan drive broadcasts on june 14 hollywood bowl, , june 16 soldier field, chicago. americans purchased $20.6 billion in war bonds during fifth war loan drive, ended on july 8, 1944.

welles campaigned ardently roosevelt in 1944. longtime supporter , campaign speaker fdr, sent president ideas , phrases incorporated welles characterized less important speeches . 1 of these ideas joke in came called fala speech, roosevelt s nationally broadcast september 23 address international teamsters union opened 1944 presidential campaign.

welles campaigned roosevelt–truman ticket full-time in fall of 1944, traveling every state detriment of own health , @ own expense. in addition radio addresses filled in roosevelt, opposite republican presidential nominee thomas e. dewey, @ new york herald tribune forum broadcast october 18 on blue network. welles accompanied fdr last campaign rally, speaking @ event november 4 @ boston s fenway park before 40,000 people, , took part in historic election-eve campaign broadcast november 6 on 4 radio networks.

on november 21, 1944, welles began association best, cbs radio series briefly produce, direct, write , host (march 13 – april 24, 1945). wrote political column called orson welles almanac (later titled orson welles today) new york post january–november 1945, , advocated continuation of fdr s new deal policies , international vision, particularly establishment of united nations , cause of world peace.

on april 12, 1945, day franklin d. roosevelt died, blue-abc network marshalled entire executive staff , national leaders pay homage late president. among outstanding programs attracted wide attention special tribute delivered orson welles , reported broadcasting magazine. welles spoke @ 10:10 p.m eastern war time, hollywood, , stressed importance of continuing fdr s work: has no need homage , loved him have no time tears … our fighting sons , brothers cannot pause tonight mark death of him name given age live in.

welles presented special broadcast on death of roosevelt following evening: must move on beyond mere death free world hope , labor of life.

he dedicated april 17 episode of best roosevelt , future of america on eve of united nations conference on international organization. welles advisor , correspondent blue-abc radio network s coverage of san francisco conference formed un, taking place april 24 – june 23, 1945. presented half-hour dramatic program written ben hecht on opening day of conference, , on sunday afternoons (april 29 – june 10) led weekly discussion san francisco civic auditorium.

the stranger


director , star orson welles @ work on stranger (october 1945)

in fall of 1945 welles began work on stranger (1946), film noir drama war crimes investigator tracks high-ranking nazi fugitive idyllic new england town. edward g. robinson, loretta young , welles star.

producer sam spiegel planned hire director john huston, had rewritten screenplay anthony veiller. when huston entered military, welles given chance direct , prove himself able make film on schedule , under budget—something eager accepted disadvantageous contract. 1 of concessions defer studio in creative dispute.

the stranger welles s first job film director in 4 years. told if film successful sign four-picture deal international pictures, making films of own choosing. welles given degree of creative control, , endeavored personalize film , develop nightmarish tone. worked on general rewrite of script , wrote scenes @ beginning of picture shot subsequently cut producers. filmed in long takes largely thwarted control given editor ernest j. nims under terms of contract.

the stranger first commercial film use documentary footage nazi concentration camps. welles had seen footage in may 1945 in san francisco, correspondent , discussion moderator @ un conference on international organization. wrote of holocaust footage in syndicated new york post column may 7, 1945.

completed day ahead of schedule , under budget, stranger film made welles have been bona fide box office success upon release. cost $1.034 million; 15 months after release had grossed $3.216 million. within weeks of completion of film, international pictures backed out of promised four-picture deal welles. no reason given, impression left stranger not make money.

around world

in summer of 1946, welles moved new york direct broadway musical around world, stage adaptation of jules verne novel around world in eighty days book welles , music cole porter. producer mike todd, later produce successful 1956 film adaptation, pulled out lavish , expensive production, leaving welles support finances. when welles ran out of money convinced columbia pictures president harry cohn send enough money continue show, , in exchange welles promised write, produce, direct , star in film cohn no further fee. stage show failed due poor box-office, welles unable claim losses on taxes.

radio (1946)

in 1946, welles began 2 new radio series—the mercury summer theatre on air cbs, , orson welles commentaries abc. while mercury summer theatre featured half-hour adaptations of classic mercury radio shows 1930s, first episode condensation of around world stage play, , record of cole porter s music project. several original mercury actors returned series, bernard herrmann. welles invested earnings failing stage play. commentaries political vehicle him, continuing themes new york post column. again, welles lacked clear focus, until naacp brought attention case of isaac woodard. welles brought significant attention woodard s cause.

the last broadcast of orson welles commentaries on october 6, 1946, marked end of welles s own radio shows.

the lady shanghai

the film welles obliged make in exchange harry cohn s in financing stage production around world lady shanghai, filmed in 1947 columbia pictures. intended modest thriller, budget skyrocketed after cohn suggested welles s then-estranged second wife rita hayworth co-star.

orson welles in lady shanghai (1947)

cohn disliked welles s rough cut, particularly confusing plot , lack of close-ups, , not in sympathy welles s brechtian use of irony , black comedy, in farcical courtroom scene. cohn ordered extensive editing , re-shoots. after heavy editing studio, approximately 1 hour of welles s first cut removed, including of climactic confrontation scene in amusement park funhouse. while expressing displeasure @ cuts, welles appalled particularly musical score. film considered disaster in america @ time of release, though closing shootout in hall of mirrors has since become touchstone of film noir. not long after release, welles , hayworth finalized divorce.

although lady shanghai acclaimed in europe, not embraced in u.s. until decades later. similar difference in reception on opposite sides of atlantic followed greater american acceptance befell welles-inspired chaplin film monsieur verdoux, directed welles starring chaplin, directed chaplin idea credited welles.

macbeth

prior 1948, welles convinced republic pictures let him direct low-budget version of macbeth, featured highly stylized sets , costumes, , cast of actors lip-syncing pre-recorded soundtrack, 1 of many innovative cost-cutting techniques welles deployed in attempt make epic film b-movie resources. script, adapted welles, violent reworking of shakespeare s original, freely cutting , pasting lines new contexts via collage technique , recasting macbeth clash of pagan , proto-christian ideologies. voodoo trappings of famous welles/houseman negro theatre stage adaptation visible, in film s characterization of weird sisters, create effigy of macbeth charm enchant him. of welles s post-kane hollywood productions, macbeth stylistically closest citizen kane in long takes , deep focus photography.

republic trumpeted film important work decided did not care scottish accents , held general release year after negative press reaction, including life s comment welles s film doth foully slaughter shakespeare. welles left europe, while co-producer , lifelong supporter richard wilson reworked soundtrack. welles returned , cut 20 minutes film @ republic s request , recorded narration cover gaps. film decried disaster. macbeth had influential fans in europe, french poet , filmmaker jean cocteau, hailed film s crude, irreverent power , careful shot design, , described characters haunting corridors of dreamlike subway, abandoned coal mine, , ruined cellars oozing water.