In recognition of Orson Welles’ centennial year, The Paley Center for Media in New York will screen some gems from its archives that illustrate his TV work as a director, actor, and raconteur.
Weekend showings are scheduled for February 7-8 and February 14-15. These screenings are presented in conjunction with the Film Forum’s Orson Welles film retrospective, which runs January 1 to February 3.
February 7 and 8
Colgate Theatre: The Fountain of Youth at 2 p.m.
Orson Welles hosted, narrated, produced, directed, designed, and arranged the music for this innovative pilot for a proposed self-titled anthology series. Based on John Collier’s short story, “The Fountain of Vienna,” the plot concerns a scientist (Dan Tobin) giving an anti-aging formula to his vain former love (Joi Lansing) and her equally vain new husband (Rick Jason). Filmed in 1956, The Fountain of Youth received a single airing on Colgate Theatre in 1958. It won the prestigious Peabody Award, the only unsold TV pilot ever to receive that honor. (1958; 27 minutes)
I Love Lucy: “Lucy Meets Orson Welles” at 2:30 p.m.
Despite Ricky’s best efforts to prevent her from hearing about it, Lucy is offered the opportunity to appear with Orson Welles at a benefit at Ricky’s nightclub. Lucy thinks she will be performing Shakespeare with the great actor, but Welles actually wants her to assist in his magic act. Lucille Ball and Orson Welles had known each other since they were both under contract to RKO Studios in the early 1940s and this gave the two their first opportunity to work together on camera. At the same time this episode was filmed, Ball and Arnaz’s company, Desilu, produced The Fountain of Youth. (1956; 29 minutes)
Omnibus: King Lear at 3:05 p.m.
Orson Welles, in his television acting debut, plays the title character in this live adaptation of Shakespeare’s King Lear. Welles considered King Lear to be Shakespeare’s masterpiece and would later play Lear on Broadway three years after this television production. (1953; 86 minutes)
February 14 and 15
Hallmark Hall of Fame: The Man Who Came to Dinner at 2 p.m.
Welles portrays Sheridan Whiteside, the most famous unwelcome houseguest of all time in this updated version of the George S. Kaufman-Moss Hart classic. Orson is joined by Lee Remick, Joan Collins, Don Knotts, Marty Feldman, and, repeating her original stage and screen role, Mary Wickes. This Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation finally gave Welles the opportunity to play Whiteside after he had been rumored to star in the original Broadway and film versions of the property. (1972; 85 minutes)
Touch of Orson: A Paley Archive Compilation at 3:30 p.m.
This highlight package shows the diversity of Orson Welles’s appearances on television over the years. There are interviews on Person to Person (1955), and Tomorrow (1975); a sampling of Shakespeare on The Tonight Show (1976); feats of magic on The Steve Allen Show (1957) and I’ve Got a Secret (1956); songs on The Wide World of Entertainment (1965) and The Jackie Gleason Show (1968); guest hosting on The David Frost Show (1970); a special Oscar from the Motion Picture Academy (1971); a stirring Charles Darrow monologue on Orson Welles Tonight (1972), and a Paul Masson wine commercial. (120 minutes)
The Paley Center is located at 25 West 52 Street in New York. Further information may be obtained by calling (212) 621-6600 f or online at paleycenter.org/visit-visitny
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