American filmmaker Wells Orson: biography, filmography

It is difficult to imagine what would be modern cinema, if at one time he was not influenced by outstanding directors since the time of silent cinema. This article is devoted to just such an outstanding person standing at the sources of sound cinema. His approach and manner of creation were ahead of time, and the statements were sorted out into quotes. The talented and controversial genius Wells Orson! Pictures of this master to this day have not lost relevance and are included in the gold fund of world cinema. And the story of the radio show "The War of the Worlds" by the work of Herbert Wells is still remembered, noting the power of art's influence on the listener.

Biography of master

Who is Orson Welles? The years of his life are 1915-1985. The famous American film director is a native of the small town of Kenosha (Wisconsin, USA). From an early age the boy began to show interest in art. He took part in school productions, studied drama, took music and painting lessons. His hobbies were encouraged by parents who were themselves creative personalities. Father earned a fortune on his inventions, and his mother was quite well-known in music circles as a pianist.

Early losing his mother, the boy with his head goes into the work. He studies at the prestigious school in Illinois. The teachers noticed the talent of young talent, and Wells Orson begins to stage theater plays, plays the main roles in them, and often creates colorful scenery.

Artist's talent

Contrary to the expectations of his teachers, having graduated from school in 1931, a talented young man is in no hurry to continue his studies. Fascinated by the fine arts, he chooses to create his sketches the beauty of nature of Ireland, where he goes, having with him a very limited amount of money.

A determined young artist decides that moving around and finding the right nature for his masterpieces will be easier if you get transport. But since the money is enough only for horse-drawn, he buys a donkey and a cart. For a time Wells Orson leads a nomadic way of life, writes etudes and sleeps in the open air. This idyll continues until the first cold. Then the young man goes to Dublin. There he wills fate at the play "Theater Gate", where he meets his friend, who works as an extras. Learning about the financial difficulties of a friend, he represents Orson to the director of the theater. It is not known what the result of the interview could be, if not for the resourcefulness that young Orson Wells showed. He introduced himself to the director as the famous actor of Broadway, the theater director. Of course, his words were hard to believe. But the director decided to give the cheeky youth a chance and subsequently never regretted his decision. Orson really turned out to be talented. So begins the acting career of the future star.

First steps

Having spent several years in the theater, touring and traveling throughout Ireland, he also displays a writer's talent, wrote the detectives. In Spain, where the actor leaves after the tour, he tries himself as a bullfighter, speaking under the pseudonym "American" in a bullfight. Returning in 1934 in the United States, he joined the creative team of the mobile theater, where he tried his hand as a director-director. In 1937 on Broadway, Orson, along with producer John Houseman, created a small theater, the Mercury Theater, where actors who are already popular are invited to work on the play. So the audience first became acquainted with the new approach to classical works. And Wells Orson gained popularity and recognition of the public. The play "Julius Caesar" based on Shakespeare's play was played without decorations and in the spirit of modernity. The director-innovator does not stop there.

Work in the field of broadcasting

He decides to try the forces of his troupe in radio shows. And already in 1938 the Mercury Theater became a permanent participant of the radio air. Every week radio broadcasts of performances of this theater are broadcast. The most famous - the production of the novel by G. Wells "War of the Worlds" - aired on October 30, 1938. A performance was presented in a realistic manner of reporting on the alien invasion.

Since the show was broadcast on the eve of Halloween, the tradition of which includes stories of various terrible stories, the director could not think that many citizens will accept what was said for the official news. There was panic, people left their homes, and traffic jams appeared on the roads. The telephone lines of the police were overloaded because of constant reports of aliens who everywhere seemed to be afraid of people. The state of New Jersey was particularly affected. Because it was there on the idea of the director arrived first alien landing. The authorities, who took more than a month to convince citizens that it was just a radio show, did not appreciate such an art force, and the performance gained scandalous fame.

Director's work

What else did Orson Wells do? The director from the actor turned out good, albeit a beginner. He had high hopes, so he could not help but get into Hollywood's field of vision. He is offered interesting contracts and roles, but the ambitious young man does not want to limit his creative freedom. Finally, one of the companies agrees with his requirements.

And in 1939 Wells Orson signed a contract with RKO RadioPictures, the studio gives him complete freedom in choosing the subjects and mannerisms that the director decides to use. But the plot of future paintings and the innovative approach to shooting leave indifferent Hollywood movie stars of that time. The profitability and success of the film largely depended on the participation of celebrities. Therefore, the studio management refuses to finance Wells' projects.

"Citizen Kane"

What masterpieces did Orson Wells create? His filmography is extensive. Let's start, perhaps, with the picture "Citizen Kane."

In 1940, after lengthy negotiations, the director sought funding from the film studio for this film drama. He becomes a co-author of the script, the director and the performer of the main role. In the light of the movie goes out in 1941.

The plot of the film tells the story of the life of a media tycoon, who at the beginning of his career tried to benefit society and influence politics by giving news. But gradually the thirst for profit and the receipt of high monetary rewards turned him into a puppet in the service of the powerful of this world. The picture is highly rated by film critics and nine times nominated for an Oscar.

"The Magnificent Embersons"

In 1942, the director presents the film "The Magnificent Embersons" to the world. In the picture is a story about the family of the Ambersons, who for three generations live in a quiet American town. Their rich life flows smoothly, but new times are coming, and one has to adapt to the realities of the modern world. Money and position become the main goal of the protagonist. For the sake of achieving his goal, he, without hesitation, refuses to love.

During the filming of the movie, the studio management changes, the decision is made to cut costs, the contract with Wells is revised, and the final version of the picture is mounted without it. Despite the fact that a lot of footage was cut, the film received four nominations for the Oscar.

"The Stranger"

In 1946, the last picture of Wells was shot in collaboration with the company RKO Radio Pictures. The film "The Stranger" tells about the horrors of the Second World War, about the genocide of Jews, about how the former executioner tries to hide from justice, about love.

"Lady of Shanghai" and "Macbeth"

In 1947, the light went to the detective "Lady of Shanghai." The plot of the picture is confusing. The main character saves from the bandits beauty, who in gratitude offers him participation in the transaction. But as it turns out, instead of the promised benefits, the main character can pay with life.

In 1948, the director in his characteristic manner creates a screen version of the famous work of W. Shakespeare's Macbeth.

Both pictures receive positive reviews from European critics and failed American ones.

"Othello" and "The Third Man"

The director leaves for Europe. There he continues to make films for his own money. In 1952, another screen version of Shakespeare, Othello, was released, which won the main prize of the Cannes Film Festival - the Golden Palm.

In between work on his own films, the master manages to star in the movie "The Third Man." His character Harry Lyme is considered one of the best roles that Orson Welles played, the biography of the director in the future is just as interesting and rich.

"Mr. Ardkin" and "Process"

He shoots in 1955 the film drama "Mr. Ardkin." In this picture, the director again raises the topic of universal values, such as honor and conscience. The main hero got rich dishonestly. He tries to erase these events from memory.

The film "The Process" is a film adaptation of F. Kafka's novel. It was released in 1962. The plot of the film is dedicated to a small man who is able to challenge a huge system. Orson himself called this painting his best directorial work.

Other paintings

The further work of Wells Orson brought such fruits:

• In 1965 he again turned to Shakespeare's work and created the picture "Midnight Bells";
• Released in 1968, the film "Immortal History" received excellent reviews of film critics and became very popular in Europe. This is a touching story of what a person is ready to go for the sake of the heir;
• Picture "F as a fake." This is a comic pseudo-documentary film in which the director from the outside tries to assess the history of his work. It was released in 1973;
• The last years of his life the director devoted work on the painting "The Other Side of the Wind." This is a frankly satirical view of the director's work and what the author has to deal with, who wants to tell the world his view of his device.

Personal life

Now it's clear who Orson Wells is. His personal life was quite turbulent. Like many geniuses, the director was often fond of women. He needed a muse in his creative search. So Wells was three times married and had three children. His last wife and love was the actress Oya Kodar.

Conclusion

So you found out who Orson Wells is. The actor, the brilliant director, he showed himself in many genres, leaving his descendants with an invaluable creative heritage.