It is hard to imagine what modern cinema would be like if it had not been influenced by outstanding directors since the time of silent cinema. This article is dedicated to just such an outstanding person who stood at the origins of sound cinema. His approach and manner of creation was ahead of time, and his statements were sorted into quotes. The talented and controversial genius Wells Orson! The paintings of this master to this day have not lost their relevance and are included in the golden fund of world cinema. And the story of the radio show "War of the Worlds" based on the work of Herbert Wells is still remembered, noting the power of the impact of art on the listener.
Master biography
Who is Orson Welles? The years of his life are 1915-1985. The famous American filmmaker is a native of the small town of Kenosh (Wisconsin, USA). From an early age, the boy began to show interest in art. He took part in school productions, studied drama, took music and painting lessons. His hobbies were encouraged by parents, who themselves were creative individuals. My father made a fortune from his inventions, and his mother was a well-known pianist in musical circles.
Having lost his mother early, the boy leaves for creativity with his head. He studies at a prestigious Illinois school. Teachers noticed the talent of a young talent, and Wells Orson begins to stage theatrical performances, plays the main roles in them, and often creates colorful scenery.
Artist Talent
Contrary to the expectations of his teachers, having graduated from school in 1931, a talented young man is in no hurry to continue his studies. Fascinated by the fine arts, he chooses the beauty of the nature of Ireland to create his sketches, where he goes, having with him a very limited amount of money.
A determined young artist decides that moving around and looking for a suitable nature for his masterpieces will be easier if you purchase transport. But since money is only enough for horse-drawn, he buys a donkey and a cart. For some time, Wells Orson leads a nomadic lifestyle, writes sketches and sleeps in the open air. This idyll lasts until the first cold weather. Then the young man goes to Dublin. There, by the will of fate, he ends up at the performance of the Gate Theater, where he meets his acquaintance working as an extra. Upon learning of the precarious financial situation of a friend, he introduces Orson to the director of the theater. It is not known what the result of the interview could have been if not for the inventiveness shown by the young Orson Welles. He introduced himself to the director of the famous Broadway actor, theater director. Of course, his words were hard to believe. But the director decided to give the impudent young man a chance and subsequently never regretted his decision. Orson really turned out to be talented. So begins the acting career of the future star.
The first steps
After spending several years in the theater, touring and traveling throughout Ireland, he also shows a writing talent, writes detectives. In Spain, where the actor goes after the tour, he tries himself as a bullfighter, speaking under the pseudonym “American” in a bullfight. Returning to the United States in 1934, joins the creative team of the mobile theater, where he tries his hand as a director. In 1937, on Broadway, Orson, together with producer John Houseman, created a small theater, the Mercury Theater, where actors already in popularity are invited to work on the play. So the audience first got acquainted with a new approach to classical works. Wells Orson gained popularity and recognition from the public. The play "Julius Caesar" by Shakespeare was played without scenery and in the spirit of modernity. The innovative director does not stop there.
Work in the field of broadcasting
He decides to try the strengths of his troupe in radio shows. And already in 1938, the Mercury Theater became a regular participant in the radio broadcast. Every week, radio shows of the performances of this theater are broadcast. The most famous - a production based on G. Wells’s novel “War of the Worlds” - was aired on October 30, 1938. The play was presented in a realistic manner of reporting on an alien invasion.
Since the performance was broadcast on the eve of Halloween, the tradition of which includes stories of various scary stories, the director could not think that many citizens would accept what was told for official news. There was a panic, people left their homes, and traffic jams appeared on the roads. The police telephone lines were overloaded due to constant reports of aliens who seemed to be everywhere scared people. The state of New Jersey was particularly affected. Because it was there on the idea of the director that the first alien landing party arrived. The authorities, which took more than a month to finally convince citizens that it was just a radio show, did not appreciate the power of art, and the performance gained scandalous fame.
Director's work
What else has Orson Welles shown himself to be? The director from the actor turned out to be a good one, although a beginner. He gave great hopes, so he could not help but get into the field of view of Hollywood. He is offered interesting contracts and roles, but an ambitious young man does not want to limit his creative freedom. Finally, one of the companies agrees with its requirements.
And in 1939, Wells Orson signed a contract with RKO RadioPictures, the film studio gives him complete freedom in choosing the subject and manner of filming, which the director decides to use. But the plot of future paintings and an innovative approach to shooting leave indifferent Hollywood movie stars of the time. The profitability and success of the film was largely dependent on the participation of celebrities. Therefore, the studio management refuses to fund Wells projects.
"Citizen Kane"
What masterpieces did Orson Welles create? His filmography is extensive. Let's start with the painting Citizen Kane.
In 1940, after lengthy negotiations, the director seeks funding from the movie studio for this movie drama. He becomes a co-author of the script, director and performer of the main role. The film was released in 1941.
The plot of the film tells the story of the life of a media tycoon who, at the beginning of his career, tried to benefit society and influence politics through news feeds. But gradually the thirst for profit and the receipt of high monetary rewards turned him into a puppet in the service of the powers that be. The film is highly praised by film critics and is nominated for an Academy Award nine times.
The Magnificent Ambersons
In 1942, the director presents the world the film "The Magnificent Ambersons." In the picture there is a story about the family of Embersons, who for three generations live in a quiet American town. Their rich life flows measuredly, but new times come, and they have to adapt to the realities of the modern world. Money and position become the main goal of the protagonist. In order to achieve his goal, he, without hesitation, refuses love.
During the shooting of the film, changes take place in the management of the film studio, a decision is made to reduce costs, the contract with Wells is being reviewed, and the final version of the picture is edited without it. Although much of the footage was cut, the film received four Academy Award nominations.
"Alien"
In 1946, Wells's latest film was shot in collaboration with RKO Radio Pictures. The film “Alien” tells about the horrors of the Second World War, about the genocide of the Jews, about how the former executioner is trying to hide from justice, about love.
Lady of Shanghai and Macbeth
In 1947, the detective "Lady from Shanghai." The plot of the picture is confused. The main character saves a beauty from the bandits, who, in gratitude, invites him to participate in the transaction. But as it turns out, instead of the promised benefits, the main character can pay with his life.
In 1948, the director in his usual manner creates a film adaptation of the famous work of W. Shakespeare "Macbeth."
Both paintings receive positive reviews from European critics and failed American ones.
Othello and the Third Man
The director leaves for Europe. There he continues to make films for his own money. In 1952, another film adaptation of Shakespeare was released - Othello, which received the main prize of the Kansk Film Festival - Golden Palm Branch.
In between working on his own films, the master manages to star in the movie "The Third Man." His hero Harry Lime is considered one of the best roles that Orson Welles played, the director’s biography in the future is also interesting and rich.
Mr. Ardkin and the Process
He shoots the movie drama "Mr. Ardkin" in 1955. In this picture, the director again raises the theme of universal values, such as honor and conscience. The main character got rich dishonestly. He is trying to erase these events from memory.
The film work “Process” is an adaptation of F. Kafka ’s novel. It was released in 1962. The plot of the film is dedicated to a small person who is able to challenge a huge system. Orson himself called this picture his best directorial work.
Other paintings
Wells Orson's further work bore the following fruits:
- in 1965, he again turned to the work of Shakespeare and created the picture "Midnight Bells";
- The immortal story, released in 1968, received excellent reviews from film critics and became very popular in Europe. This is a touching story about what a person is ready to do for the sake of the heir;
- picture "F is like a fake." This is a comedy pseudo-documentary film in which the director from the side tries to evaluate the history of his work. It was released in 1973;
- The director devoted the last years of his life to work on the film “The Other Side of the Wind”. This is an openly satirical view of the work of the director and what the author has to deal with when he wants to tell the world his view of his device.
Personal life
Now it’s clear who Orson Wells is. His personal life was quite stormy. Like many geniuses, the director was often fond of women. He needed a muse in a creative search. Therefore, Wells was married three times and had three children. His last wife and love was the actress Oia Kodar.
Conclusion
So you found out who Orson Welles is. The actor, a brilliant director, he proved himself in many genres, leaving an invaluable creative heritage for posterity.