‘Magnificent Ambersons’ previews: Reading the comment cards 80 years later
In March 1942 — with Orson Welles busy on “It’s All True” in Rio de Janeiro — RKO Radio Pictures conducted previews for his sophomore movie, “The Magnificent Ambersons.”
Dramatizations fall short in telling true story of ‘Voodoo Macbeth’
Shakespearean scholar Michael Anderegg looks at two recent dramatizations of the 1936 Federal Theatre Negro Unit production of “Macbeth” in Harlem.
Harlan Lebo offers new details, insight with expanded ‘Citizen Kane’ book
The expanded “Citizen Kane: A Filmmaker’s Journey” contains new research and insight into how Orson Welles overcame a flawed script, studio infighting, and efforts to suppress the film.
The Chimes at Midnight sound for Peter Bogdanovich
Film historian Joseph McBride pays tribute to his friend of more than 50 years, Peter Bogdanovich, who has passed away on January 6 at the age of 82.
Joseph McBride on updating ‘What Ever Happened to Orson Welles?’
“What Ever Happened to Orson Welles?: A Portrait of an Independent Career” is a critical look at the projects undertaken by the late director in his final years. The new edition includes the discovery of “Too Much Johnson” and completion of “The Other Side of the Wind.”
Directors Company tried to interest Paramount in ‘The Other Side of the Wind’
As a partner in The Directors Company, Peter Bogdanovich tried to interest Paramount Pictures into backing “The Other Side of the Wind” in 1973.
‘Ambersons’ hunters back from Brazil; plan return trip
“The Lost Print” team returned today from Brazil, but plans to head back to South America in early 2022 to resume the quest for the lost, longer cut of “The Magnificent Ambersons.”
Criterion ‘Citizen Kane’ bolstered by fabulous extras (review)
Orson Welles fans drawn to the Criterion Collection’s new 4K UHD release of Citizen Kane for its stunning restoration and transfer will be delighted to find a treasure trove of extras.
‘American’ from Danny Wu looks at Orson Welles, politics
“American,” an upcoming documentary from filmmaker Danny Wu (“My Life in China During a Pandemic,” “Square One: Michael Jackson”), will look at Orson Welles’ life and progressive politics in the 1930s and ’40s.
Massimiliano Studer book targets New Hollywood, ‘The Other Side of the Wind’
Italian publisher Mimesis Edizioni will release a new book on “The Other Side of the Wind” by Massimiliano Studer on October 28 entitled “Orson Welles E La New Hollywood: Il Caso di The Other Side of the Wind.” It includes a foreword by Esteve Riambau.
Who was Ned Sheldon?
In the unproduced screenplay for “The Cradle Will Rock,” Orson Welles referred to Ned Sheldon as the master spirit governing the American theatre and a mentor and guide to many, including Welles himself.
‘Citizen Kane’ at 80; look back at the 1941 reviews
From the archives, a sampling of the favorable notices that greeted the release of Orson Welles’ first Hollywood film on May 1, 1941. The trade paper Variety wrote of its young director-star: “Welles has found the screen as effective for his unique showmanship as radio and the theatre.”