A realization (and a confession) about Arkadin

[ClassicBri]

As far as a Welles film for the non-Wellesian, I would almost suggest "Lady From Shanghai." The plot does get a little too tangled for a lot of people, but overall, might do the trick.

[Glenn Anders]

Tony, you may not believe it, but Orson Welles, from late 1938 to 1947, was one of the best known, most popular men in America. He had every reason to believe that he might carry his educational aspirations over from Literature, the Theater and Radio, in particular, to the Movies. A great many movies were made in those times from ideas culled from radio, theater and books. The middle class read, went to the theater, and had the option of some serious radio, not like it is today.

His movies were, in one way or another, sometimes with his own help, sabotaged. When he more or less fled America, the British, though they found him amusing, saw him as a bit naive in his jejune high-mindedness, but the French, as you suggest, were surprised to find what they considered an American aristocrat.

[Terry]

His greatest popular success was War of the Worlds, which I can still find broadcast on radio every Halloween. That terrible, pirated record which he didn't see a cent from and which people have no right to play!

[NoFake]

And yet, Tony, as Glenn noted earlier, that seems to hold true only for his films. While not without slips, his Mercury Theater on stage and radio, and Campbell Playhouse were part of the fabric of American life for the New York theater-going and national radio-listening public. Where and why did he go wrong with cinema? Was it only a matter of what was done to him, or did his generally (and sometimes extraordinarily) well-tuned commercial ear on stage and radio turn deaf behind the screenplay and the camera?

[Kevin Loy]

I think it is pretty simple: people have different expectations for different forms of expression. When it comes to film and music, for example, many people have a very limited palette, and it usually veers towards flashy trash, especially if it requires no effort on the viewer's part. The stage is treated with a bit more respect and appreciation than films are, and given the load of crap that is churned upon (and willingly viewed by) the masses from Hollywood, how could you expect people to respect films (or music) as a viable art form, instead of mindless entertainment?

Of course, I don't quite think that Welles' aspirations were well-suited for breaking through the 'mindless entertainment' barrier either, but the real problem is that there is no middle-ground between true artists and the general public. I seem to remember reading a quote from Cecil Taylor, where he basically said that, since he spends time preparing his music for shows, the audience should spend time prepraing themselves as well. Cecil Taylor is an (admittedly) extreme example, but I think it is a good point.

[Terry]

Welles' commercial ear wasn't always accurate on stage or radio either. He had some notable flops in both media.

[Michael O'Hara]

Greetings. Long time lurker, first time poster.

I agree with the feelings of affection for Arkadin. Maybe I’m just a sick-o, but I can watch and I have watched Arkadin repeatedly and frequently, especially now that I have the new, magnificently packaged DVD set. It’s flawed, sure, no denying, but I can’t help but be totally drawn into it. Maybe it’s the visuals, maybe it’s the score, maybe it’s the closing credit bats. I don’t know. I just really love this film.

It right up there with Shanghai, Kane, and Ambersons, for me.

[Glenn Anders]

Good to see someone who has been through the Panama, Michael.

I like a man who likes MR. ARKADIN.

Welcome.

Hadji, NoFake, Kevin, there is much in what you say. I might only add that Europeans have generally seen what we can't stand. An artist cannot create a masterpiece everytime. He/she is a human being, pouring heart, soul and experience into a project. It may be necessary to rev up a practice piece or two, in order to hit the next one out of the box. Here, you are either the American Idol, or you are a failure, a has-been, a wannabe. Orson Welles was a true American Idol for ten years, and then it was, to borrow from the title to a great new book, "Whatever happened to Orson Welles?"

Glenn

[Terry]

Is it US culture as a whole or just the people in the news media that have a fifteen-minute memory and no capacities other than ass-kissing or eviscerating the subjects they cover? Do people in general educate themselves or swallow everything the media programs them with? Why is the news media full of people from government, giving us expert opinions on what we should think? Will there be a generation of "good Americans" who were just following orders? Are we living among them now? Scary thought and scary country to live in. And why can't I burn that evil government's flag?

One of my favourite Stroheim quotes mentions how in France if you write ONE novel when you are a young man, you will be respected there as an artist for the rest of your life. How is it France seemingly has a culture where there is such a thing as respect, and the US has one full of hatred and terror? You ever see those idiots on the news channel every night? God, THEY are the real terrorists - selling shock and paranoia to the masses, so we'll all rush down to the federal building and demand that all our rights be taken away so that we can be safe. Safe from what, I wonder. What keeps the government and its propoganda mouthpiece in check? Oh, nothing, that's right. Yippee skippee.

Stop it, Glenn, you're making me rant!

[Glenn Anders]

"Remember, remember, the 7th of November . . . ."

[Jeff Wilson]

Fellas, while I am in accord with the sentiment, this isn't the place for it. Can we direct discussion back to Welles? Thanks.

[Terry]

Well, look who pulled his head out of the sand! Hi Jeff! All's well, I hope.

Don't be a stranger.

[WaverBoy]

....and, BTW, I think Arkadin is a superb film, nothwithstanding some of the above slanderous statements...

(to be technical, I should say "libelous" statements)

THANK YOU! I'm in total agreement with you there. An absolutely superb film indeed. I'm surprised to see so many detractors on this board. I mean, really...terrible? C'mon, that's a bit over-the-top, isn't it? I'm inclined to believe that those who think this film is terrible haven't seen an actually terrible film. You know, like THE WEDDING PLANNER. (I was forced into watching that one years ago by a girl.)