George Orson Welles was born May 6th, 1915 in Kenosha, Wisconsin. A child prodigy, Orson graduated high school at 16...only 5 years after going to school for the first time. Instead of going to college, he decided to become an actor. He traveled around Europe, acting in stage productions. He also did some radio work. In 1938, he founded the Mercury Theater. Famous actors joined his theater when they were just starting out, including Joseph Cotten and Agnes Moorehead. He did many stage and radio productions under Mercury Theater, including his infamous interpretation of H.G. Wells' "War Of the Worlds."
In 1941, Orson took Hollywood by storm in the Mercury production, "Citizen Kane." It appeared to give a not so nice representation of the life of William Randolph Hearst, although Orson denied that it was based on Hearst for the rest of his life. But people didn't believe him, and "Kane" was unsuccessful and got bad reviews. Yet today, it is considered Orson's finest work, and probably the greatest movie ever made. Its excellent and unique camera angles, and witty dialogue are something directors have been craving to capture for some 58 years since its release.
In 1942, Orson had some success with the release of his picture, "The Magnificent Ambersons." Orson narrated the film, but was not in it. However, the movie starred Joseph Cotten, Anne Baxter, Tim Holt, and Agnes Moorehead. This is one of my favorite movies produced by Welles, a story of an aristocratic family 'behind the gold, glamour, and money.'
In 1944, Orson starred in my favorite film of all times, "Jane Eyre." This movie was easy for him...all he had to do was act!~ This was the first film in which he wasn't involved in the crew somehow. The film also starred Joan Fontaine, Agnes Moorehead, Henry Daniell, and child stars Margaret O'Brien, Peggy Ann Garner, and Elizabeth Taylor. This film, unlike most of the films Welles was in, was successful, with rave reviews.
In 1946, Welles starred in one of my favorite movies, "Tomorrow Is Forever", co-starring Claudette Colbert and George Brent. Although he rarely played a touching lead hopelessly in love with a woman he could not get, Orson is magnificent in this! In 1948, Orson starred with his ex-wife Rita Hayworth in the film, "The Lady From Shanghai", which he produced and directed. This film got fairly successful reviews, and 'The Hall of Mirrors' is one of the most famous scenes to date.
In 1949, Orson starred in "The Third Man", based on a radio show he did. This film starred his old buddy Joseph Cotten, who had starred with Orson in "Citizen Kane" and "Journey Into Fear" (1942) as well as "Ambersons."
I'm a proud member of the WorldWideWelles web ring!!~ A link to the site is listed below.
Links to other sites on the Web
Elizabeth's Joseph Cotten Page
Classic Actors
Elizabeth's Citizen Kane Page
Elizabeth's Anne Baxter Page
EndOfRoad2's Jane Eyre Page
Elizabeth's Elizabeth Taylor Page
Elizabeth's Rita Hayworth Page
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