A taste of ‘My Lunches with Orson: Conversations Between Henry Jaglom and Orson Welles’

By RAY KELLY “My Lunches with Orson: Conversations Between Henry Jaglom and Orson Welles,” written by Peter Biskind, arrives in stores on July 16. The book from Macmillan/ Metropolitan is based on conversations between the two filmmakers recorded in the final three years of Welles’ life. Wellesnet.com interviewed Henry Jaglom about the book back in […]

Mankiewicz family continues dispute over ‘Citizen Kane’ authorship

Despite the convincing evidence uncovered by film scholar Robert Carringer 35 years ago, the battle over who wrote “Citizen Kane” is not settled in the minds of Herman Mankiewicz’s family. Mankiewicz’s grandson, Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz, talks with his father, Frank, about the “Kane” authorship during a Father’s Day showing of the the […]

‘Jane Eyre’ with Orson Welles coming to Blu-ray this fall

“Jane Eyre’ starring Orson Welles and Joan Fontaine will make its debut on Blu-ray this fall. Twilight Time, which specializes in limited edition classic films on home video, is listing the 1943 drama, directed by Robert Stevenson, for release on November 12. On the same day, Twilight Time will release the 1968 musical “Oliver!” (1968) […]

Is ‘The Deep’ boat for sale?

Wellesnet.com fields many questions from Orson Wellles’ fans, but our most recent query was quite intriguing. “I have located a 43-foot wooden sailing boat for sale in Croatia. The sellers say that the boat was used in the filming of an Orson Welles movie in early 70s… for some reason the film was never brought […]

For rent: Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth’s Hollywood home

For as little as $895 a night, you can live like Hollywood royalty in the home once shared by Orson Welles and his second wife, Rita Hayworth. The restored Orson Welles Luxury View Estate sits atop Sunset Boulevard. The 3,000 square-foot, four-bedroom Cape Cod style home was built in 1928 by Sidney Toller of the […]

Former Orson Welles Cinema in Boston focus of planned documentary

By RAY KELLY For movie lovers in the Boston area, the Orson Welles Complex in Cambridge remains a cherished memory. The complex at 1001 Massachusetts Ave. housed a movie theater, restaurant, book store and film school. A documentary is underway to chronicle the history and legacy of the beloved complex, which opened in 1969 and […]

First excerpt from the upcoming book ‘My Lunches With Orson’

The June issue of Harper’s provides a first look at Peter Biskind’s upcoming book “My Lunches With Orson,” based on taped conversations between Orson Welles and friend Henry Jaglom. The excerpt in Harper’s, “Pitches and Moan,” recounts a disastrous lunchtime meeting in 1983 the pair had with an unidentified HBO executive. Welles pitched a story […]

Michael Dawson interview: Part 1 – The 1992 ‘Othello’ restoration

Producer Michael Dawson brought a restored version of Orson Welles’ “Othello” to movie-goers in 1992. He has been actively working with Woodstock Celebrates Inc. to organize a proper 100th birthday celebration honoring Welles’ legacy in 2015. Dawson took time to discuss the 1992 restoration and future Welles projects with Wellesnet’s Mike Teal. By MIKE TEAL […]

‘The Complete Citizen Kane’ documentary is now online

The seldom seen British Arena special “The Complete Citizen Kane” has made its way to YouTube.com, courtesy of online video poster Citizen Welles. The 91-minute documentary opens with a faux, but effective, “Heart of Darkness” and includes BBC interviews with Orson Welles filmed in 1960 and 1982. Also interviewed are Peter Bogdanovich and Pauline Kael. […]

‘This Is Orson Welles’ on William Friedkin’s list of top 5 books on directors

William Friedkin, who is making the rounds publicizing his memoir “The Friedkin Connection,” gave his picks for the five best books on directors to The Wall Street Journal. Among his picks was “This Is Orson Welles” by Peter Bogdanovich and Welles. Friedkin says of the book, “Peter Bogdanovich is a respected film historian and critic […]

PBS ‘American Experience’ to focus on ‘War of the Worlds’ broadcast

Orson Welles’ infamous radio broadcast of “The War of the Worlds” will be recalled this fall on PBS. PBS announced its fall programming on Thursday. Among the highlights is an “American Experience” look at “The War of the Worlds.” It will air on Tuesday, October 29, at 9 p.m. ET &#8211 a day before the […]

Casting for remake of Orson Welles’ ‘The Stranger’ is underway

By RAY KELLY The remake of Orson Welles’ 1946 thriller “The Stranger” is moving forward and the identity of the actors who will step into the roles played by Orson Welles, Loretta Young and Edward G. Robinson may soon be revealed. Scriptwriter Alanna Belak has indicated on Twitter that casting decisions may have already been […]