millsworks

The Atlantic has a post on the upcoming 70th anniversary of Citizen Kane which is worth a read. As these things happen, I find one thing and then stumble through a few rabbit holes of idly searching for related stuff and then come up with a few nifty things.

Here’s Orson Welles as he appeared on the Dean Martin Show in 1968. Not only is the venue unlikely for a portrayal of a Shakespearean character but also the way in which it is conducted, with Welles (arguably one of the best raconteurs ever) describing the character of Falstaff as he takes his time applying the makeup, reveals this to be something we’d never see on the air today, certainly not on US primetime anyway – and reinforces the view expressed in D.B. Grady‘s Atlantic article that Welles has always, and will continue to be, a revered artist and personage.

Grady also mentions the best known of Welles’ unfinished films (of which there are, sadly, too many) entitled: The Other Side Of The Wind. Shot between 1972 and 1976, it’s still caught up legal battles over who owns the rights but everyone keeps hoping Peter Bogdanovitch – whom Welles chose as the one for the task – will get his chance to complete the edit according to Welles’ notes and we might once and for all be able to see the finished work.

In the meantime, here’s a brief clip from the film which shows Welles at his innovative best – over 40 years ago.

That, even by today’s standards, is fucking awesome.

Cheers.