ORSON WELLES

At the ripe old age of 25, he was the hottest of hot-shot directors. He did things with movies that no one else had ever done. He was so far ahead of the curve the Hollywood moguls didn’t understand what they had. They cut his films to pieces and hung him out to dry. But Orson Welles never gave up, and left a legacy of films that still resonate. This article deals only with his directorial efforts. He made dozens more movies as an actor. 

His first such effort is widely regarded as the best movie ever made. Citizen Kane (1941) is on everybody’s top ten list, and at the head of most. This thinly disguised story of William Randolph Hearst featured Welles in the title role, Joseph Cotten and Agnes Morehead  for back-up, and dozens of new ideas that are now found everywhere. What you see is the film Welles made; he had complete control of this one. 

The very next year Welles directed The Magnificent Ambersons with Tim Holt (yes, the old cowboy star), Anne Baxter, Mr. Cotten and Ms. Morehead. A faithful adaptation of the Booth Tarkington story of a well-off family sliding into ruin, it is one of the best uses of black and white film ever shot. But the studio recut and reshot it without Welles’ permission. It’s still pretty good, but Welles was never given the opportunity to recut it the way he wanted. 

It took Mr. Welles three years to finish Othello (1952). It was shot entirely in Italy so he could retain control, and money considerations kept interrupting the filming. But it was worth it.  Welles is at the top of his game as the husband destroyed by jealousy, and as the director of one of the best Shakespeare adaptations ever put on film. 

When great films noir are discussed, Orson Welles’ Touch of Evil (1958) is always mentioned. The story is darker than dark, and Welles’ portrayal of the sinister sheriff is almost the definition of corruption. He is truly chilling; a perfect foil for Charlton Heston’s honest cop (his best performance).  The version edited by Welles himself is available. 

The Lady From Shanghai (1948) is okay, and its’ hall-of-mirrors finale is justifiably famous. It is not up to Mr. Welles’ best work. Mr. Welles made The Trial (1962) all over Europe; it is a competent adaptation of Kafka’s masterpiece. But Anthony Perkins seems miscast and the story is somewhat confusing. 

All of the movies in this article are available on  DVD. All are for grown-ups.