"Boy genius" Orson Welles was born May 6, 1915, in Kenosha, Wis., displaying an extraordinary talent for acting at a young age. He made his Broadway debut in 1934 in "Romeo & Juliet," and in 1937, he and John Houseman formed the Mercury Theater Company -- a group renowned for its innovative plays and radio shows, such as the infamous 1938 broadcast of "War of the Worlds."Hollywood beckoned, and at age 25, Welles co-wrote, produced, directed and starred in Citizen Kane. It was swiftly hailed as a masterpiece, earning him his only Oscar (for Original Screenplay). His later directing efforts included The Magnificent Ambersons, The Lady from Shanghai and Touch of Evil.
Later in life, Welles directed several Shakespeare adaptations and acted often in films such as The Third Man, A Man for All Seasons, The Muppet Movie and Someone to Love (1987). He died Oct. 10, 1985.
Citizen KaneOrson Welles reinvented movies at the age of 26 with this audacious biography of newspaper baron Charles Foster Kane, which, in essence, was a thinly veiled portrait of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst. Welles's complex and technically stunning film chronicles Kane's rise from poverty to... Read More
The Third ManAfter arriving in post-World War II Vienna, unemployed pulp novelist Holly Martins (Joseph Cotten) learns that his friend Harry (Orson Welles) has died in an accident. Compelled to investigate the death, Holly slowly uncovers startling revelations about Harry's life. Based on a novel by Graham... Read More
CompulsionBased on the 1924 Leopold-Loeb murder trial, this classic courtroom drama tells the story of two wealthy psychopaths (Bradford Dillman and Dean Stockwell) who consider themselves above conventional morality. To prove their point, they murder a boy, and attorney Jonathan Wilk (Orson Welles) is tasked... Read More
Mr. Arkadin: The Corinth VersionSet in Cold War Europe, the cinematic saga of Mr. Arkadin, directed by and starring Orson Welles, regards an amnesiac billionaire who hires an American adventurer (Robert Arden) to investigate his mysterious past. Post-production, Welles was banned from the editing room and denied any input on the... Read More
