As part of its Orson Welles 100 celebration, the Film Forum in New York will present footage from Welles’ long-lost Too Much Johnson incorporated into a live reading of the William Gillette comedy as intended in 1938.

The presentation is set for Feb. 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Film Forum on 209 West Houston St.

The footage, assembled by Welles and thought lost for decades, was discovered in a warehouse in Pordenone, Italy, and restored last year by George Eastman House.

Welles had intended to use the footage in a New York production of Too Much Johnson in the fall of 1938.

A two-week tryout commenced at the Stony Creek Theatre in Branford, Connecticut in August 1938.

Technical problems forced Welles to abandon the silent film introduction and transitions with Joseph Cotten, Arlene Francis and other members of the Mercury.

The New York Times would report on Sept. 14, 1938 that the Broadway opening would be delayed until Oct. 24, citing pressures on Welles and unattributed claims of casting difficulties. By mid October, the Times stated a planned Nov. 14 opening would be delayed. The Mercury production never opened on Broadway.

The Film Forum and Paley Center for Media plan showings of Welles’ cinematic and television work in January and February 2015.
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