The Case for Orson Welles

The label of "Genius" has been applied to many and many have not necessarily deserved it. The term of "Wunderkind" too has been misappropriated by many. Orson Welles epitomized the kind of person
who was labeled this way and lived up to it many times throughout his multi-faceted career that journeyed from radio into feature films.


Many critics laud him for Citizen Kane and deservedly so. In a time when melodramas were created to lessen the depression of The Great Depression moving into the early War years of the 1940's, Citizen Kane was an uncompromising look into the heart of darkness that lies within even the best of human beings. Part mystery, part drama, and even a bit of humor-Citizen Kane was a human story without many peers. The acting and cinematography belongs to a much later age than the film and perhaps that is why many critics and movie goers of the time did not care much for it. This film continues to inspire me, in the sense that film can be a most powerful spinner of human story.


Welles' post Kane career is just as controversial and argued over as his landmark film was. While many dismiss the later period of Welles' career, I often celebrate it by watching and loving films like The Magnificent Ambersons, The Third Man, The Long Hot Summer, and a recent favorite Touch of Evil. As great a director as Welles was, he was also a mighty fine actor. The Third Man showcases the classic Welles character of a basically good man overcome by the corruption of power, money and prestige. Even at his lowest point, that lovely smirk comes over his face that sort of invites us to dwell upon the giddy thing that man is.


But not all of Welles' career was sparkling. His time as a spokesperson for various products has tarnished his legend a bit. But in the end, I have developed a great deal of respect for one of Hollywood's greatest directors
and a fine actor in his own right. Perhaps his greatest crime was being labeled a genius much too early. He had much more to give us.