The Free Library of Philadelphia launches a seven-part series on Wednesday, April 12, of live evening events exploring the life and career of Orson Welles.
Orson Welles & The Golden Age of Hollywood spans the late filmmaker’s career with special attention paid to his 1940s work. Guest speakers include Wellesnet administrator Ray Kelly, Chicago Tribune critic and TCM guest host Michael Phillips, National Public Radio’s Bob Mondello, Slate senior editor Sam Adams, award-winning author and historian David Nasaw, actress-director Zuhairah McGill and Peter Decherney and Meta Mazaj of the University of Pennsylvania.
Fresh off his success on radio and the New York stage, Welles was just 25 years old when he directed, starred, produced and co-wrote his cinematic masterpiece Citizen Kane in 1941. Within a matter of a few years he would find himself unemployable as a director by the major studios and financing his own films for the remainder of his amazing life.
“From my perspective, no American story is as inspiring or exciting as that of George Orson Welles of Kenosha, Wisconsin,” said Dick Levinson, librarian and lecture series producer. “His personal courage, his vision and his ability to bounce back from crushing defeats that would have destroyed most people continue to speak to us today.”
He added, “Our seven-part lecture series, Orson Welles & The Golden Age of Hollywood, explores who he was, what he did and why he will never be forgotten.”
All events will take place at the Parkway Central Library on 1901 Vine Street in Philadelphia. Admission is free, but tickets must be obtained online at tinyurl.com/wellesFLP
Orson Welles & The Golden Age of Hollywood programming includes:
Mr. Lucky: The Life of Orson Welles Before Hollywood with author David Nasaw; Wednesday, April 12, 7:30 p.m.
The City of Nets and Traps: The Hollywood That Orson Welles Discovered with Peter Decherney of the University of Pennsylvania, Wednesday, May 17, 7:30 p.m.
The Struggle to Make Citizen Kane with Chicago Tribune film critic Michael Phillips, Wednesday, June 21, 7:30 p.m.
The Genius Who Couldn’t Do Anything Right with Ray Kelly of Wellesnet.com, Wednesday, July 19, 7:30 p.m.
The Genius Who Made Legendary Films on a Shoestring with Slate senior editor Sam Adams and Meta Mazaj of the University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Cinema and Media Studies, Wednesday, September 6, 7:30 p.m.
The Crusader for Social Justice with actress-director Zuhairah McGill, Wednesday, October 11, 7:30 p.m.
The Legacy of Orson Welles with Bob Mondello of NPR’s “All Things Considered,” Wednesday, October 18, 7:30 p.m.
The Free Library of Philadelphia hosts numerous events each year. Chartered in 1891, its mission is “to advance literacy, guide learning, and inspire curiosity.” Those wishing further information on registering for the in-person Orson Welles & The Golden Age of Hollywood lecture series may email Dick Levinson at levinsonr@freelibrary.org or register on EventBrite.
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