Modern art documentary orson welles biography

ByWilliam J. Wright

The life of Orson Welles was a morass of often tragic contradictions.

A child prodigy with an affinity for the arts and literature, Welles conquered the stage and broadcasting as a young man.

Modern art documentary orson welles biography

A pioneer of radio drama, Welles courted controversy and shocked the nation with his broadcast of the Mercury Theatre's adaptation of War of the Worlds in Welles, however, found his true voice in film. His debut feature, 's Citizen Kane, would be hailed as the greatest film of all time.

At age 25, Welles was arguably America's greatest cinematic innovator, but his penchant for excess and refusal to yield to the constraints of the studio system would prematurely stifle his promise.

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Welles spent decades fighting for the total creative control he was afforded on Citizen Kane only to be repeatedly hobbled by the studios.

With his vision blunted by censors and studio executives, Welles stru