Hello, I'm new.

[Orson&Jazz]

Hello!

I am new to this message board. I come to Wellsnet every once in a while for Orson Welles news, but I never posted.


I am a fan of Orson, and I have been for a while. I am here to learn more about Orson. I am always ready to learn more.
I can't really discuss my Orson appreciation with my friends because they really don't know who he is. I remember the first time I told them that I was fascinated with an man named Orson Welles, their response was "Orson who?"


Orson was an incredible man, and I feel that he deserves more of a recognition than what he has now. I feel he is greatly underappreciated. How can the public ignore the man that helped revolutionize film-making? It's a disgrace. Will he forever only be remembered as the man that brought the martians into people's homes? Sad really.


Well, I hope to bump into those that are as much into Orson as I am. I am willing to learn more about the man that has fascinated me since he spoke the words "Good evening, this is is Orson Welles."

[Oscar Christie]

There were so many Orson Welles's.

What parts of his life interest you?

[Orson&Jazz]

There were so many Orson Welles's?

Well I guess there were. Who really knew the true Orson? Who really knew what made him tick? What he portrayed in his public persona, isn't what he was like in his private life I'm guessing. And, plus he dabbled into so much different mediums, which is the one that fascinates me?


Well, I am mostly intersted in his radio career. That fascinates me. I am in awe of the man that embraced the medium of the radio, and turned it into something incredibly new and exciting. Especially at the age he was when he tackled radio. Incredible!

[dmolson]

OWelles' radio career covered such a rich spectrum that it would be easy to delve in and spend a lifetime enjoying its riches, while forgoing his other talents. He elevated the level of storytelling with his various Mercury on the Air programs, shaking North American audiences at one point. He made powerful political commentaries, and also created appealing characters of immense magic in Harry Lime and the Shadow. Welles even showed a keen and sharp sense of humour, often with himself as the punch line, while subbing for Jack Benny.
Jeff has built an amazing site here that touches on everything. Even a lay-about layman like myself can feel comfortable in its rich and well-written pages and here in the scholarly chat room. I learn something new quite frequently.
Welcome to the group!

[Orson&Jazz]

Thanks for the welcome.


I am currently delving deep into his radio work. I do like the Jack Benny programs he did. They are funny, and Orson does take a few jabs. It is great that he allowed himself to be mocked a few times.


I do listen to the Harry Lime and The Shadow programs. I would like to get a hold of the political shows he had done, especially the ones where he was lobbying for justice for Isaac Woodard[sp?]. I'd like to hear those programs some day.


I have heard, of course, his Mercury Theatre and Campbell Playhouse works. There are so many I like. It is too daunting a task to choose my favourites, so I won't even bother.


Yes, I really admire the man. Even though some will tell horror stories about what he was like, I don't care. I really do admire the man.

[Glenn Anders]

Orson & Jazz: I think one of the great problems of Orson Welles' later life is that his early attempts to let a little air out of his legend, to come across as a regular guy with weaknesses, played into the hands of the race of disparagers who rose in the late 1960's. Looking at America today, it is tempting to see how character assassination through snide humor has been raised to a high political and commercial art.

Welles was one of its early victims.

Glenn

[Orson&Jazz]

He was just a regular guy. But, the only problem is he was incredibly talented. People like to see talented people fail. Nothing gives them greater pleasure.


Plus, people tend to believe anything they hear, especially if it is about people like Orson. If it's complimentary, they change it until it's negative then spread it around. If it's already negative, they spread it around even quicker. Because there is nothing like passing on gossip that defames some one like Orson Welles.


Orson didn't deserve all the flack he was given, especially if he was trying to show that he was only human.

:angry: