Unique review of MR ARKADIN - from UK 1974

[Glenn Anders]

Jeff: Should there be ANYTHING in my power to help you with, let me know. So often, we do not know what people are doing for us, until they disappear.

As the Scots say, "Will you no come back again?"

Seriously.

Glenn

[Harvey Chartrand]

It's the end of an era! A valuable online resource for Welles freaks everywhere will either end or be scaled back considerably. A great pity. I wish I could do something to help keep this site going, but I work seven days a week already and doubt I could take on any more responsibilities.
I understand that managing a website can be very time-consuming, as Tim Lucas states repeatedly on his Video Watchblog site. The site must be refreshed daily to maintain interest.
I just hope that a recent spate of nasty comments by a longtime message board contributor wasn't the straw that broke the moderator's back, as it were, prompting this regrettable (but perfectly understandable) decision. Perhaps the silent majority who appreciate Jeff's hard work (of which I count myself a member) should have spoken up more often.

[The Voice of Cornstarch]

I can't believe this has happened again

[mteal]

Jeff, you're a great Wellesian, and your site is easily the best thing that's ever happened for Orson Welles on the Net. I sympathize with your having lost interest in Welles, because it's happened to me before too, but I'm a little suprised that it's happening to you right now when there's so much interesting Welles-related stuff going on. Maybe too much? To the point of overkill?

I was looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the new Callow book, as I've been too lazy and broke to order a copy (besides, that cover sucks). I'd be happy to take over the moderator duties, but my computer is primitive and may not have the memory for the task. It'd be an interesting experience, tho.

Here's an idea: don't moderate the board, just let it fly, and if someone posts something completely off-topic, threatening or truly obscene, we can email you to eliminate it...and them.

The site must be refreshed daily to maintain interest.

That certainly helps, but then I've seen this site go for a month without any posts, and it doesn't necessarily mean people have lost interest, it just means they're not in the mood to post. The Wellesnet campfire can be rekindled anytime, and to me, if this message board proves anything, it's that Orson Welles is an inexhaustable topic of conversation.

[tonyw]

:( Dear Jeff,

What you have been doing is so very important. Please reconsider or take a break if you find things have become too much for your recently. Many of us admire your dedication to this site and my classes have benefitted enormously from the wealth of information available.

You have provided one of the best internet sites available of a truly imaginative and informative nature. Many of us have a high degree of respect and gratitude for the work you have put in.

[Jeff Wilson]

Thank you all for the kind words. Someone mentioned sabbatical, and that seems the best description for how I am approaching this. It has nothing to do with not being interested in Welles, more not wanting to deal with running the site constantly. I have someone lined up to add updates to the blog page, and I imagine things here will run smoothly. As mentioned above, if something gets out of hand, email me and I will deal with it. So with that said, I will probably make a couple more updates on the main site, and check out for a while. If you need to get in touch, email me rather than use the PM function, obviously.

[Gordon]

Jeff,

Thank you very much for making this wonderful resource available for us for 5 years.

It has been so nice to enjoy Wellesnet.

I think everyone who has benefitted from this site appreciates what you've done for us.

[R Kadin]

Jeff - you know what's best for yourself, so by all means do what you have to do in order to keep the zeal alive.

You've made a remarkable ongoing contribution to this forum and an indelible imprint on the pursuit of all things Welles. You've helped shepherd this site into one of the most consistently engaging and challenging venues on the 'net, advancing both this emerging medium and the realm of film studies, as a result. We therefore owe you an unpayable debt and begrudge you nothing. Enjoy your sabbatical; you've earned it in spades. When you return, may you be fully refreshed and invigorated.

But, prithee, tarry not overlong; for your public awaits!

[NoFake]

Jeff, I second everything said here about the invaluable and extraordinary work you've done for Webbed Wellesians everywhere. It really came home to me when I watched your presentation in Locarno, and appreciated anew the extent of your -- and Wellesnet's -- reach, as others around me praised it, and your shepherding of this site. We will await your return, and wish you all the best -- "...until the day breaks, and the shadows flee away..."