Orson Welles
Orson Welles was an American filmmaker, actor, and theatrical director whose 1941 debut *Citizen Kane* is routinely cited as the greatest film ever made.
He directed and starred in other celebrated films including *The Magnificent Ambersons* and *Touch of Evil*.
His 1938 radio broadcast of *The War of the Worlds* famously caused panic among listeners who believed Martians had actually invaded.
In later years he became as known for his distinctive voice, imposing presence, and wine commercials as for his filmmaking.
Newspaper tycoon's rise and fall
- The Third Man1949 Vienna-set thriller
- RosebudUnopened flower of a thorny shrub
- long takeUninterrupted cinematic shot
- film noirStylish, shadowy crime drama
screenplay · cinematography · mise-en-scène · storyboard · editing · montage · casting · production
Mid-range male voice
- resonantDeeply vibrating with sound
- sonorousDeep and full-toned
- commandingExerting strong authority
- distinctiveReadily identifiable, set apart
narration · War of the Worlds · radio drama · broadcast · announcer · voiceover · documentary · commercials
Pictorial screen symbol
- geniusPerson of rare brilliance
- maverickIndependent-minded rule-breaker
- wunderkindRemarkably talented youngster
- prodigyGifted youth with rare talent
titan · controversial · uncompromising · tragic · embattled · exile · comeback · AFI
Clever, inventive humor
- storytellerOne who recounts tales
- anecdotesBrief amusing accounts
- talk showsInterview-based broadcast programs
- interviewsFormal evaluative conversations
bon vivant · cigar · cape · persona · charm · erudite · provocateur · dinner party
Venue for live drama
- stageRaised performance platform
- FalstaffComic knight, corpulent braggart
- character actorSpecialist in memorable sidekicks
- presenceState of being somewhere
commanding · larger-than-life · cameos · performance · dramatic · Shakespearean · method · ensemble
Citizen Kane
Newspaper tycoon's rise and fall
- The Third Man1949 Vienna-set thriller
- RosebudUnopened flower of a thorny shrub
- long takeUninterrupted cinematic shot
film noir · screenplay · cinematography · mise-en-scène · storyboard · editing · montage · casting · production · soundstage
baritone
Mid-range male voice
- resonantDeeply vibrating with sound
- sonorousDeep and full-toned
- commandingExerting strong authority
distinctive · narration · War of the Worlds · radio drama · broadcast · announcer · voiceover · documentary · commercials · frozen peas
icon
Pictorial screen symbol
- geniusPerson of rare brilliance
- maverickIndependent-minded rule-breaker
- wunderkindRemarkably talented youngster
prodigy · titan · controversial · uncompromising · tragic · embattled · exile · comeback · AFI · immortal
wit
Clever, inventive humor
- storytellerOne who recounts tales
- anecdotesBrief amusing accounts
- talk showsInterview-based broadcast programs
interviews · bon vivant · cigar · cape · persona · charm · erudite · provocateur · dinner party · Carson
theater
Venue for live drama
- stageRaised performance platform
- FalstaffComic knight, corpulent braggart
- character actorSpecialist in memorable sidekicks
presence · commanding · larger-than-life · cameos · performance · dramatic · Shakespearean · method · ensemble · troupe
- Radio EntertainersJack Benny, George Burns, Bob Hope, Mel Blanc, Rochester
- filmmakersSteven Spielberg, Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick, Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola
- Screen LegendsHumphrey Bogart, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn
- Film DirectorsAlfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick, Billy Wilder, John Ford, Federico Fellini
- 1940s CinemaCasablanca, Citizen Kane, The Maltese Falcon, Rebecca, Mildred Pierce
- Censored WritersBoris Pasternak, Salman Rushdie, Milan Kundera, Thomas Mann
Orson WellesMichael Bay
Steven Spielberg · Ron Howard · Clint Eastwood · James Cameron · industry insider