Orson Welles' Sketch Book (1955)
Season 1 Episode 2: Critics
Orson Welles made a six-episode television series for the BBC, which basically has him playing storyteller. Through the six episodes we see him sitting in a chair where that terrific voice of his just speaks to the viewer as if you were sitting right next to him. The subject changed throughout the series but all the stories center around Welles' life and for the visuals of television we're given sketches that the legendary filmmaker drew.
This episode has Welles talking about critics and how they always show up on opening night when he wishes it was possible for them to show up for the final performance instead. He then talks about the play Voodoo Macbeth and the negative review given them by critic Percy Hammond. He then tells the now infamous story how someone offered to put a voodoo curse on him that would kill him and sure enough hours later he dropped dead. Quite a morbid tell for sure but it's also perfect for Welles' storytelling ability and that terrific voice tells the story and the viewer is just glued to each word. Fans of Welles will love this format and we get a great story. How true the myth/legend is......
Episode: A
Season 1 Episode 2: Critics
Orson Welles made a six-episode television series for the BBC, which basically has him playing storyteller. Through the six episodes we see him sitting in a chair where that terrific voice of his just speaks to the viewer as if you were sitting right next to him. The subject changed throughout the series but all the stories center around Welles' life and for the visuals of television we're given sketches that the legendary filmmaker drew.
This episode has Welles talking about critics and how they always show up on opening night when he wishes it was possible for them to show up for the final performance instead. He then talks about the play Voodoo Macbeth and the negative review given them by critic Percy Hammond. He then tells the now infamous story how someone offered to put a voodoo curse on him that would kill him and sure enough hours later he dropped dead. Quite a morbid tell for sure but it's also perfect for Welles' storytelling ability and that terrific voice tells the story and the viewer is just glued to each word. Fans of Welles will love this format and we get a great story. How true the myth/legend is......
Episode: A
