Orson Welles statue in Split

[Christopher]

I was delighted to see the photo of the Orson Welles statue that was recently unveiled in Split, Croatia, and to read the article about it in the SETimes. Thanks so much for posting the link to this article. I wish the photograph were larger but it is large enough to see that Oja Kodar has done an excellent job.

[ToddBaesen]

One place where Welles might have some luck getting honored in America is on a postage stamp. It seems to me he'd make a perfect choice to become the second director (after Hitchcock) to appear in the "Legends of Hollywood" series of stamps. One big help in making this happen would be getting Beatrice involved, since I believe the heirs of the Welles estate would have to approve the stamp, without getting any money.

[Glenn Anders]

As one who may have stood on or near the very spot where Oja's Orson now strides confidently seaward in the generous harbor of Split, let me second Christopher's commendation of Larry French's addition to the Main Page. My bride Grace and our children, by chance, spent almost a week there in 1970, perhaps unknowingly passing near where Welles and Miss Kodar were hatching new artistic projects.

Another reason, it occurs to me, that Welles may have liked this great old Adriatic port is that it was here that the Emperor Diocletian divided the Roman Empire in two, and having insured its soundness another hundred years, wisely retired from his contentious reign in 305 A.D. to his birthplace, for the last ten years of his life, in order to personally grow cabbages. When beseeched to return to power, he is said to have replied: "If you could show the cabbage that I planted with my own hands to your emperor, he definitely wouldn’t dare suggest that I replace the peace and happiness of this place with the storms of a never-satisfied greed."

Welles might similarly have said: "You can have Hollywood. I'll take Dalmatia!"

Diocletian's great palace, ten years in the preparatory building, remains a vital town center, a kind of modern ancient mall, and I can imagine Welles and Oja strolling through its markets, past statues of forgotten warriors and martyrs, while selecting the excellent cabbages, olive oil, wine, and fish that coast still produces. In fact, if I am not mistaken, it is on this harbor's edge where Miss Kodar sits, watching the Sun set over the coastal islands, as she listens to Welles last love letter to her, at the end of the Sedlar Brothers' little seen SEARCHING FOR ORSON.

It is a truly magical moment.

Glenn

[Christopher]

Todd, There was a commemorative postage stamp honoring Orson Welles on the 50th anniversary (I think it was) of "Citizen Kane." Beatrice engineered the whole thing and was rightly proud of her accomplishment. Unfortunately, the stamp had a limited run and, as you suggest, a more permanent stamp that recognizes him as one of the great movie directors of all time would be an appropriate tribute. It is shocking that the first statue of Orson Welles in a public place was erected in Split, Croatia -- not in Kenosha, Chicago, New York City, Hollywood or anywhere in the U.S.A. And now there is talk of naming a street in Split after Welles....

Glenn, the place where Oja sits in the movie, SEARCHING FOR ORSON, listening to Welles's last love letter to her is not in Split but near her home in Primosten.

I am really thrilled about the statue and can't wait to see larger and better photographs of it. Thanks again, Larry, for posting the link to the Croatian newspaper. Wellesnet comes through again and again!

[Alan Brody]

Nice info, Glenn. And that looks like a beautiful statue by Oja. Here's the 1999 Kane stamp:

http://www.virtualstampclub.com/images/40s-citkane.jpg