Biography
Hailed as an innovator and visionary across theater, radio, and film, Orson Welles left an indelible mark on each medium he touched. His groundbreaking work in cinematic techniques such as lighting, camera angles, focus, and sound continues to shape the craft of filmmaking today. Yet, despite his brilliance, Welles's career was often characterized by unfinished projects and a struggle against the constraints of the film industry.
Early Life
George Orson Welles was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the second son of Beatrice and Richard Welles. His family relocated to Chicago when he was three, where his mother, an accomplished amateur pianist, dedicated herself to his education. She introduced him to literature, visual arts, and music, aiming to integrate into Chicago society, which included many of the nation’s leading Midwestern families.
Dr. Maurice Bernstein, a family friend with diverse medical interests, was a constant presence in the Welles home and possibly Beatrice's lover. He moved with the family to Chicago, and upon the deaths of Beatrice and Richard, became Orson’s legal guardian. Recognizing Orson's extraordinary talent, Bernstein and Richard had already enrolled him at the prestigious Todd School in Woodstock, Illinois, where he received a more structured education.
At sixteen, Welles traveled to Ireland and talked his way into an audition at the Gate Theatre in Dublin, securing roles in numerous plays. Remarkably, he often played characters significantly older than himself, earning critical acclaim for his performances.
Pioneering Works
Welles's journey continued in New York City in 1933, where he joined a touring company performing William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. His portrayal of Tybalt gained the attention of actor and producer John Houseman, leading to the formation of the Mercury Theater. Their debut production, a modern interpretation of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar set in fascist Italy, became the sensation of New York in 1937.
The Mercury Theater's success stemmed in part from Welles's audacious "voodoo" adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth in 1936. This version, set in Haiti's jungles and produced by the Negro Theater Unit of the Federal Theater Project, premiered at the Lafayette Theater in Harlem to unprecedented crowds. The production's popularity led it to Broadway after a ten-week run in Harlem.
Welles also made a name for himself in radio, where he adapted literary classics into dramatic broadcasts known as Mercury Theater on the Air. He starred in the radio series The Shadow, portraying the enigmatic Lamont Cranston. His knack for captivating audiences earned him the nickname "Boy Wonder," solidifying his reputation in the theatrical world.
Radio Fame and Film Innovation
In 1938, Welles achieved nationwide fame with his radio adaptation of H.G. Wells’s War of the Worlds. Broadcast on Halloween night, the program simulated a Martian invasion in New Jersey, causing widespread panic among listeners who believed it was real. Although criticized and threatened with sanctions, this production led to an extraordinary 1939 offer from RKO Pictures, granting Welles complete creative control over his film projects.
Despite an initial unsuccessful film attempt, Welles's subsequent project, Citizen Kane (1941), is widely regarded as the greatest film ever made. Inspired by his own life and modeled after publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst, the film showcased Welles's innovative techniques but did not achieve commercial success.
Welles's follow-up, The Magnificent Ambersons (1942), adapted from Booth Tarkington’s novel, was critically acclaimed but also failed commercially. His artistic vision often clashed with studio constraints, resulting in many unfinished projects despite few financial successes.
Continued Creativity and Challenges
Despite the industry’s challenges, Welles continued to create and star in noteworthy films like The Stranger (1946) and The Lady From Shanghai (1948), the latter featuring his...
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wife, Rita Hayworth. His passion for Shakespeare led him to adapt and filmMacbeth (1948) and Othello (1952), the latter winning critical acclaim and the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival, despite production difficulties.
During the 1950s, Welles performed extensively in Europe and returned to the U.S. to direct and act in King Lear in New York. Back in Hollywood, he directed the film noir classic Touch of Evil (1958), exploring themes of corruption and abuse of authority. He also adapted Franz Kafka’s The Trial (1962) and Shakespeare’s Falstaff in Chimes at Midnight (1966), both showcasing his relentless creativity.
However, his later works, including F For Fake (1975), did not reach the heights of his earlier achievements. Despite numerous acting roles, Welles's final years were marked by unfinished projects, though his innovative contributions to cinema remained influential.
Legacy and Influence
While many film enthusiasts may not fully appreciate Welles's contributions, his impact on filmmaking is undeniable. He received numerous accolades, including an honorary Oscar in 1970, the American Film Institute Life Achievement Award in 1975, and the French Legion of Honor in 1982. At his passing in Hollywood at age seventy, he left behind countless unfinished screenplays and films.
Reflection on Genius
Critics often refer to Welles's career as a "failed genius," as he struggled to sustain the early brilliance that Citizen Kane promised. His inability to conform to industry norms may have limited his opportunities, yet his innovative genius remains unquestioned. Welles's brilliance lay in his relentless drive and imagination, which reshaped the artistic landscape of film and stage.
Welles's pioneering techniques, including "deep focus" cinematography, innovative use of light and shadow, and three-dimensional sound, continue to inspire filmmakers today. Despite his restless pursuit of new projects that often went unfinished, his creativity is celebrated as one of America's greatest artistic legacies.
Bibliography
- Brady, Frank. Citizen Welles. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1989.
- Callow, Simon. Orson Welles: The Road to Xanadu. London: Jonathan Cape, 1995.
- France, Richard. The Theatre of Orson Welles. Lewisburg, Penn.: Bucknell University Press, 1977.
- Higham, Charles. Orson Welles: The Rise and Fall of an American Genius. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1985.
- James, Howard. The Complete Films of Orson Welles. Secaucus, N.J.: Carol, 1985.
- Leaming, Barbara. Orson Welles, A Biography. New York: Viking, 1983.
- McBride, Joseph. Orson Welles. New York: Viking, 1972. Reprint. New York: De Capo, 1996.
- Naremore, James. The Magic World of Orson Welles. Dallas, Tex.: Southern Methodist University Press, 1989.
- Thomson, David. Rosebud: The Story of Orson Welles. New York: Knopf, 1996.