Podcasts about mercury theater

Former independent repertory theatre company in New York City

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Best podcasts about mercury theater

Latest podcast episodes about mercury theater

Breaking Walls
BW - EP79: The Boy Wonder—Orson Welles' Early Career (1931 - 1941) [Rewind]

Breaking Walls

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2025 124:48


This episode was originally released on 5/1/2018. While new episodes of Breaking Walls are on hiatus I'll be going back and posting the older episodes beginning with this episode on the birth of radio. ___________ In Breaking Walls Episode 79, we present a detailed look at Orson Welles' radio career through the end of 1941. Highlights: • Beginnings in Illinois and China — How they helped shape Orson • The Todd Seminary School — His first exposure to theater and Radio • Connections and Early Breaks — How his mentor Roger Hill, Thornton Wilder, Alexander Woollcott, and Katharine Cornell helped Orson get to Broadway • Orson meets John Houseman and Archibald MacLeish, and first appears on the March of Time • 1935-1937 — From the March of Time to the Columbia Workshop, and how Irvin Reis taught Orson how to create for radio • How the US Government shaped the opportunity for Orson to write, direct, and star in Les Misérables on the Mutual Broadcasting System in 1937
 • The Shadow Knows! — Agnes Moorehead and Orson Welles' one season on The Shadow • The birth of the Mercury Theater on the Air as First Person singular. • How it's success led to the most infamous night in radio in October of 1938 • Mainstream success with Campbell's Soups • Orson goes to Hollywood, and signs the greatest autonomous film contract in history at 24 • Citizen Kane — How William Randolph Hearst and RKO shaped the film • Lady Esther Presents — Orson comes back to radio in the autumn of 1941 • Pearl Harbor Day and collaborating with Norman Corwin • Joseph Cotton introduces Orson to Rita Hayworth The WallBreakers: http://thewallbreakers.com Subscribe to Breaking Walls everywhere you get your podcasts. To support the show: http://patreon.com/TheWallBreakers The reading material used in today's episode was: • Citizen Welles: A Biography of Orson Welles by Frank Brady • This is Orson Welles by Welles and Peter Bogdanovich • The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio by John Dunning • Discovering Orson Welles by Jonathan Rosenbaum Other materials included: • http://www.wellesnet.com - an incredibly comprehensive website on Orson's career • Orson Welles on the Air, 1938-1946 at https://orsonwelles.indiana.edu • The Radio Preservation Task Force also has a great Facebook group headed by Josh Shepperd Selected Interviews in this episode were: • Orson Welles with Dick Cavett, Johnny Carson, and Huw Wheldon, • Agnes Moorehead and Alan Reed were with radio Hall of Fame Member Chuck Schaden, who interviewed over 200 members of the radio community during his 39 year career. Chuck's interviews can be streamed for free at SpeakingofRadio.com. • William Robson was with Dick Bertel and Ed Corcoran for WTIC's The Golden Age of Radio in January of 1976 and Kenny Delmare was with John Dunning in 1983. Those interviews can be found at the Old Time Radio Researcher's Group at Otrrlibrary.org • William Herz was with Walden Hughes and John and Larry Gassman in 2013 for their program on the Yesterday USA Radio Network, which you can visit at http://www.yesterdayusa.com.

Vintage Sand
Vintage Sand Episode 57: Alternative Oscars: 1940's Edition, Part I

Vintage Sand

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2025 88:40


Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. America and all ships at sea, and welcome to Episode 57 of Vintage Sand, our first of 2025. In this episode and the next one we return, for the penultimate time, to the source of some of our most popular episodes: Danny Peary's hard-to-find 1993 classic "Alternative Oscars". In the past, we have used Peary's model to approach every full decade in which the Academy has handed out Oscars except two: the 2010's, and the topic for this two-part episode, Alternate Oscars: The 1940's Edition. It's interesting that the 40's are considered to be the peak of Hollywood's Golden Age, yet many films that were beloved and honored back then have not well withstood the passage of time. The early part of the decade's most important development was the rise of the writer/director in Hollywood. Preston Sturges was the first, with his incredible run of films from 1940-1945, and he was followed quickly by the Billy Wilder/Charles Brackett team and, of course, that clever young fellow from the Mercury Theater. The 40's also marked the arrival of Hitchcock to these shores, and the rise to prominence of new directorial voices like Huston, Preminger, Zinnemann and Nicholas Ray. There were also many high points in the decade for well-established directors like Ford, Capra, Hawks, Lubitsch and Wyler. We have the incredible run of films between 1942 and 1946 made by Val Lewton's brilliant B-movie unit at RKO, and, of course, the birth of film noir, overseen predominantly by expats like Wilder, Lang, Preminger, Ulmer, Lewis and Siodmak. The latter half of the decade, which we will cover in Episode 58 in February, saw two major developments. The end of the war saw the return to strength of many European film industries as well as studio filmmaking in Japan. In France, in the wake of 1945's miraculous "Les Enfants du Paradis", directors as different as Cocteau, Clouzot and Bresson began or restarted their careers. This explosion of creativity was matched in the UK, with the arrival of Lean, Reed, and especially with the flowering of the Powell-Pressburger Archers team. Clearly, though, the most important such event was the rise of what today is called Italian Neo-Realism, as directors like Rossellini, De Sica, and to a lesser extent Visconti, created a brand new way to tell stories on film that is still influencing directors today. The second big change of the late 40's was really two changes in one: the landmark Paramount court case in 1948 that ended the vertical monopoly the studios had long held as owners of theater chains as well, and the mass arrival of television. Between 1948 and 1952, Hollywood lost nearly half of its audience, bringing down the curtain on that so-called “Golden Age” of Hollywood. In terms of the Oscars, the Academy made solid choices for Best Picture--they certainly picked better films than they did in the 1930's! These included enduring works like "The Best Years of Our Lives", "All the King's Men" and especially, "Casablanca". Who could argue with that? (Hint: us.) But there were plenty of head scratchers as well. Prestige choices like "How Green Was My Valley", "Mrs. Miniver" and Olivier's "Hamlet" look a little creaky these days. Hell, we might argue that "Rebecca" was not even Hitchcock's best film of 1940! And the less said about "Going My Way" and "Gentlemen's Agreement", the better. So kick back, round up the usual suspects, and help us make this podcast more important than the gas in that light…

Harold's Old Time Radio
Mercury Theater 38-10-30 (17) War of the Worlds

Harold's Old Time Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2024 57:15


Mercury Theater 38-10-30 (17) War of the Worlds

Auditory Anthology
Spooky Season: The War of the Worlds by Orson Welles & the Mercury Theater on the Air

Auditory Anthology

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2024 61:13


It's October, which means a couple of things: The weather is a little colder, everything is suddenly Pumpkin Spice-flavored and most importantly, it's “Spooky Season. So in addition to our normal science fiction stories, this month we're sharing some classic horror tales by Edgar Allen Poe to keep you up all night.For Spooky Season this week we have the “War of the Worlds” broadcast by Orson Welles from 1938.If you have a story you'd like to contribute to the series, you can visit https://submissions.soundconceptmedia.com/Curator: Keith Conrad linktr.ee/keithrconradNarrator: Darren Marlar https://darrenmarlar.com/Other shows hosted by Darren:Weird Darkness: https://weirddarkness.com/Paranormality Magazine: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/paranormalitymagMicro Terrors: Scary Stories for Kids: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/microterrorsRetro Radio – Old Time Radio In The Dark: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/retroradioChurch of the Undead: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/churchoftheundead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vintage Classic Radio
Sunday Night Playhouse - Halloween Special: Dracula (Bram Stoker, Orson Welles))

Vintage Classic Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2024 55:59


Join us for this week's "Sunday Night Playhouse" Halloween special on Vintage Classic Radio. We take you back to 1938, for a thrilling re-broadcast of the "Mercury Theater on the Air" adaptation of "Dracula". This spine-tingling episode was directed by and starred Orson Welles, in dual roles as both Dracula and Dr. Seward. The story, based on Bram Stoker's classic novel, follows the terrifying events as Count Dracula moves from Transylvania to England, spreading the dark curse of the undead among the innocent. The episode also features a stellar cast including Agnes Moorehead as Mina Harker, Geroge Coulouris as Van Helsing, Elizabeth Fuller as Lucy Westenra, Martin Gabel as Jonathan Harker, and Ray Collins as the Ship Captain. Together, they bring to life this chilling tale, enhanced by Bernard Hermann's eerie and atmospheric score, making it an unforgettable listening experience. Tune in to relive the horror and drama of this vintage broadcast.

WCPT 820 AM
Out Chicago August 04 2024

WCPT 820 AM

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2024 100:07


Jonathan Alsberry & Ira Antelis - Dance For Life Alexandra Billings & Honey West - Big Gay Cabaret at Mercury Theater

Typical Confusion Pod Cast Hosted by Jim  Holliday

Subscriber-only episodeAir Date October 30 1938Send us a Text Message.Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Paul Lisnek Behind the Curtain on WGN Plus
Chicago legends Alexandra Billings and Honey West together again! At Mercury Theater Chicago on August 9th and 10th

Paul Lisnek Behind the Curtain on WGN Plus

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2024


Chicago has produced some incredible talents, and ranking near the top are Alexandra Billings and Honey West. Known so well to Chicago audiences and legends in the LGBTQ+ community, these lifelong friends will create magic on the Mercury Theater Stage for two nights only. Alexandra Billings: starred in the Amazon TV series “The Peripheral,” and the trailblazing series […]

Paul Lisnek Behind the Curtain on WGN Plus
They're just too good to be true! The Jersey Boys is amazing at Mercury Theater Chicago through July 28th

Paul Lisnek Behind the Curtain on WGN Plus

Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2024


Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons created the soundtrack of a generation that still lives today. And Mercury theater Chicago makes the magic happen with its production of the Jersey Boys after a decade long wait for the rights to be released. Joining in the conversation are all four of the “boys:” Joining the conversation are Michael Metcalf […]

Steve Dale's Other World from WGN Plus
‘The Jersey Boys' extended until July at the Mercury Theater

Steve Dale's Other World from WGN Plus

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2024


Jersey Boys at the Mercury Theatre has been extended through July 28! Michael Metcalf as Frankie Valli and Adrien Aguilar join Steve to talk about the show, what it’s like to perform as legendary musicians, and the show’s extension.

Never Did It
2009: 3 Idiots and Me and Orson Welles

Never Did It

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2024 26:32


The year is 2009 and the movies are period pieces. First up it's '3 Idiots,' and the period examined is just a few years ago, when stars R. Madhavan and Sharman Joshi go to college and there meet Aamir Khan, a charismatic Mary Poppins type. Rajkumar's Hirani's film was a giant success in India, and we discuss some of its crossover appeal in light of other Bollywood (and Tollywood) imports. Then we move on to 'Me and Orson Welles,' Richard Linklater's look at the Mercury Theater in New York City in the 1930s. Zac Efron takes on Christian McKay's Welles in the battle for charismatic supremacy and the company of Claire Danes. Hosted by Brad Garoon & Jake Ziegler  Other movies discussed in this episode: Revanche (2008), Adventureland (2009), An Education (2009), A Serious Man (2009), Avatar (2009), Away We Go (2009), Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), The Hurt Locker (2009), I Love You Man (2009), The Informant! (2009), Inglourious Basterds (2009), Mary and Max (2009), Moon (2009), The Messenger (2009), Up (2009), Up in the Air (2009), Mank (2020), The Greatest Beer Run Ever (2022), and Ricky Stanicky (2024). 

Thomas Paine Podcast
Mercury Theater -- War Of the Worlds

Thomas Paine Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2024 51:19


Paine ClassicsWe Cannot Say Much of the 'Really Good Stuff' on Here That's Why We Created Paine.tv YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE SHOW BY CLICKING THIS LINK -- *** DONATE HERE *** GET the Intel that's Too Hot For Anywhere Else at P A IN E. TV CONTRIBUTE TO THE SHOW BY CLICKING THIS LINK -- *** DONATE HERE *** ...

Chicago Broadcasting Network
Episode 16: Jersey Boys Review - Mercury Theater Chicago

Chicago Broadcasting Network

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2024 11:55


Jersey Boys currently on stage in Chicago features 30 musical numbers while walking us through the life and times of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons a New Jersey based rock and roll quartet that appealed largely to blue collar teens nationwide in the 1960s with songs like “Sherry” and “Walk Like A Man.”  Podcast theater review by Reno Lovison includes a short excerpt of an interview by Rikki Lee Travolta with co-directors Walter Stearns and Brenda Didier commenting on their love of the show and some specifics about actors Michael Metcalf and Adrian Aguilar. Jersey Boys is at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago, through May 19, 2024.  For tickets and information visit mercurytheaterchicago.com or call (773) 360-7365.

Vintage Classic Radio
Friday Night Noir - Suspense (Banquo's Chair) & The Black Museum (A Letter)

Vintage Classic Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2024 54:08


This Friday, tune into Vintage Classic Radio for an enthralling "Friday Night Noir" double feature. Our evening of mystery and suspense kicks off with the gripping "Suspense" radio show episode titled "Banquo's Chair," originally aired on June 1st, 1943. In this chilling tale, a retired detective employs an unusual tactic to catch a murderer. He organizes a dinner party, inviting the suspect, and uses a gimmick inspired by Shakespeare's "Macbeth" — the ghostly presence of Banquo's chair. The tension mounts as guests and suspect alike are drawn into a clever psychological trap, leading to an unexpected and eerie conclusion. The cast features celebrated actors of the era, including John Loder, who brings the ingenious detective to life, with support from Ian Wolfe, Hans Conried, and Lurene Tuttle among others. Their performances under the masterful direction of William Spier ensure a truly suspenseful experience. Following "Suspense," we delve into the darker corners of crime with "The Black Museum" radio series, featuring the episode "A Letter." Hosted and narrated by the legendary Orson Welles, this episode, like all in the series, draws from the true-life cases of Scotland Yard. In "A Letter," listeners are guided through a haunting tale spun around an innocuous piece of evidence — a letter that becomes key to unraveling a chilling murder. Welles, with his distinctive voice, sets the scene from the grim confines of The Black Museum, introducing the episode against the atmospheric chimes of Big Ben, drawing listeners into a narrative woven with suspense and the macabre. The show was produced by Harry Alan Towers, with scripts by Ira Marion and music by Sidney Torch, creating an immersive experience that epitomizes classic radio noir. Each episode of "The Black Museum" begins uniquely, yet follows a captivating format as Welles introduces the episode's central evidence item, leading into a dramatic retelling of the case it's associated with. Throughout "A Letter," Welles provides narration, adding depth and context to the story, ultimately closing the episode with his signature sign-off, remaining "obediently yours," a nod to his days with the Mercury Theater of the Air. Don't miss this double feature of mystery and suspense, a perfect homage to the golden age of radio noir. Join us this Friday on Vintage Classic Radio for "Friday Night Noir," and immerse yourself in the intrigue and drama of "Banquo's Chair" and "A Letter."

Chicago's Afternoon News with Steve Bertrand
The Mercury Theater presents Jersey Boys!

Chicago's Afternoon News with Steve Bertrand

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2023


Executive Director of Mercury Theater Chicago Water Stearns and actor Andrew MacNaughton join Paul Lisenk, in for Lisa Dent, to discuss the shows coming and going to The Mercury Theater on Southport in Lakeview. Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein will be at the theater till December 31st and winner of Best Musical at both the Tony […]

Paul Lisnek Behind the Curtain on WGN Plus
Young Frankenstein has them rollin' in the aisles at Mercury Theater through December 31st              

Paul Lisnek Behind the Curtain on WGN Plus

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2023


In this new podcast, Paul goes behind the curtain with cast members of “Young Frankenstein,” a Mel Brooks classic. Joining the conversation are Sean Fortunato (Dr. Frederick Frankenstein), Andrew MacNaughton (The Monster) and Mary Robin Roth (Frau Blucher). The classic Frankenstein story picks up a generation later when Frankenstein Grandson believes that his grandfather never […]

The Complete Orson Welles
Mercury Theater on the Air | Heart of Darkness, Life with Father (Orson Welles); 1938

The Complete Orson Welles

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2023 60:39


Mercury Theater on the Air | Heart of Darkness, Life with Father | Broadcast date: November 3, 1938Heart of Darkness: an exciting adventure of danger and madness in the Belgian Congo (written by: Joseph Conrad)Life with Father: a series of well-done vignettes from the famous novel (written by: Clarence)Featuring: William Alland; Arthur Anderson; Ray Collins; Alice Frost; Mildred Natwick; Frank Readick; Alfred Shirley; Anna Stafford; Orson Welles; Mary Wickes: : : : :My other podcast channels include: MYSTERY x SUSPENSE -- DRAMA X THEATER -- SCI FI x HORROR -- COMEDY x FUNNY HA HA -- VARIETY X ARMED FORCES.Subscribing is free and you'll receive new post notifications. Also, if you have a moment, please give a 4-5 star rating and/or write a 1-2 sentence positive review on your preferred service -- that would help me a lot.Thank you for your support.https://otr.duane.media | Instagram @duane.otr

The Steffan Tubbs Show Podcast
The Steffan Tubbs Show 10.31.2023 hr1

The Steffan Tubbs Show Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2023 47:14


Happy Halloween! Our little radio gift to you: from October 30, 1938, the classic "The War of the Worlds." A 23-year-old Orson Welles and the Mercury Theater deliver one of the greatest radio programs ever. Enjoy!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Orson Welles On The Air
The War Of The Worlds by The Mercury Theater On The Air

Orson Welles On The Air

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2023


This episode of Orson Welles On The Air revisits his classic broadcast from October 30, 1938, The War Of The Worlds, from The Mercury Theater On The Air. Listen to more from The Mercury Theater https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/archive.org/download/rr22023/owota285.mp3 Download owota285 | Subscribe | Support

The Steffan Tubbs Show Podcast
The Steffan Tubbs Show 10.30.2023 hr1

The Steffan Tubbs Show Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2023 42:34


We begin our final week! RIP to actor Matthew Perry, who died over the weekend at 54. Denver In Decay: audio of officer-involved shootings released. "Madam X" back in CO and court tomorrow. Today marks the 85th anniversary of one of the greatest radio broadcasts of all-time: the Mercury Theater's "War of the Worlds" from 1938. Our Farewell Tour continues with our friend from the 4th Judicial District DA Michael Allen. We wrap with a nod to "The War of the Worlds" - what kind of candy-giver are you?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thomas Paine Podcast
Mercury Theater -- Dracula

Thomas Paine Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2023 55:47


Paine Radio ClassicsWe Cannot Say Much of the 'Really Good Stuff' on Here That's Why We Created Paine.tv YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE SHOW BY CLICKING THIS LINK -- *** DONATE HERE *** GET the Intel that's Too Hot For Anywhere Else at P A IN E. TV CONTRIBUTE TO THE SHOW BY CLICKING THIS LINK -- *** DONATE HERE *** ...This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5788750/advertisement

Thomas Paine Podcast
Mercury Theater -- Abraham Lincoln

Thomas Paine Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2023 59:51


Paine Radio ClassicsWe Cannot Say Much of the 'Really Good Stuff' on Here That's Why We Created Paine.tv YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE SHOW BY CLICKING THIS LINK -- *** DONATE HERE *** GET the Intel that's Too Hot For Anywhere Else at P A IN E. TV CONTRIBUTE TO THE SHOW BY CLICKING THIS LINK -- *** DONATE HERE *** ...This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5788750/advertisement

Thomas Paine Podcast
Mercury Theater -- Thirty Nine Steps

Thomas Paine Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2023 61:07


Paine Radio ClassicsWe Cannot Say Much of the 'Really Good Stuff' on Here That's Why We Created Paine.tv YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE SHOW BY CLICKING THIS LINK -- *** DONATE HERE *** GET the Intel that's Too Hot For Anywhere Else at P A IN E. TV CONTRIBUTE TO THE SHOW BY CLICKING THIS LINK -- *** DONATE HERE *** ...This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5788750/advertisement

Thomas Paine Podcast
Radio Classics: Part 1 -- Mercury Theater -- War of Worlds

Thomas Paine Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2023 24:52


Radio Classics: Part 1 -- Mercury Theater -- War of WorldsWe Cannot Say Much of the 'Really Good Stuff' on Here That's Why We Created Paine.tv YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE SHOW BY CLICKING THIS LINK -- *** DONATE HERE *** GET the Intel that's Too Hot For Anywhere Else at P A IN E. TV CONTRIBUTE TO THE SHOW BY CLICKING THIS LINK -- *** DONATE HERE *** ...This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5788750/advertisement

Thomas Paine Podcast
Radio Classics: Part 2 -- Mercury Theater -- War of Worlds

Thomas Paine Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2023 26:27


Radio Classics: Part 2 -- Mercury Theater -- War of WorldsWe Cannot Say Much of the 'Really Good Stuff' on Here That's Why We Created Paine.tv YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE SHOW BY CLICKING THIS LINK -- *** DONATE HERE *** GET the Intel that's Too Hot For Anywhere Else at P A IN E. TV CONTRIBUTE TO THE SHOW BY CLICKING THIS LINK -- *** DONATE HERE *** ...This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5788750/advertisement

Breaking Walls
BW - EP141—002: Orson Welles In Europe—Harry Alan Towers And Harry Lime

Breaking Walls

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2023 45:04


In 1948 author Graham Greene was in Vienna getting a tour of the city, its back alleys, less-reputable nightclubs, and even its sewers. He was also introduced by actress Elizabeth Montagu to Peter Smolka, the central European correspondent for The Times. Greene was working on a novella that would become a screenplay called The Third Man. Greene sold the film rights to producers Alexander Korda and David O'Selznick. In the story a man named Holly Martins comes to Vienna to accept a job with his friend Harry Lime, only to learn that Lime has died. Martins is a writer. He's told Lime was killed by a car while crossing the street. ​​At Lime's funeral, Martins meets two British Royal Military Police: Sergeant Paine, a fan of Martins' books, and Major Calloway. Martins thinks the death is suspicious, so he stays in Vienna to investigate the matter. Orson Welles was cast as Lime with longtime Mercury Theater friend Joseph Cotton cast as Martins. Principal photography began in Vienna in early November of 1948 and lasted for six weeks. The rest was done around London and completed by March of 1949. Then-unknown composer Anton Karas was hired to create the musical score, performing it on a zither. The film was released in the UK in September of 1949, quickly becoming that year's most popular. When released in the U.S. audiences loved it. Time wrote that the film was "crammed with cinematic plums that would do Hitchcock proud—ingenious twists and turns of plot, subtle detail, full-bodied bit characters, atmospheric backgrounds that become an intrinsic part of the story, a deft commingling of the sinister with the ludicrous, the casual with the bizarre.” At the 1951 Academy Awards, the film took home the award for Best Black and White Cinematography, while at the British equivalent, it won for Best British Film. In the meantime Welles and Tyrone Power made The Black Rose in 1950, directed by Henry Hathaway. Welles played Mongolian warrior Bayan of the Hundred Eyes. Hathaway, who liked Welles, later said the casting was poor, with Welles purposely outwitting people during shooting. While in England making The Third Man, Orson Welles became acquainted with Harry Alan Towers. Towers was a thirty-year-old radio producer whose company, Towers of London, was heavily into syndicated productions in British, American, Australian, and Canadian markets. His anthology series Secrets of Scotland Yard had proven that there was a lucrative market for high-end entertainment and, in Welles, he saw a personality and a talent that could quickly make his production company a leading one. Towers and Greene had the same literary agent. Finding out that Greene hadn't sold Harry Lime's character rights when he sold the screenplay, Towers quickly bought the rights to the character with plans to put a syndicated radio series into production. Welles signed with Towers to produce The Adventures of Harry Lime. They were prequel stories showcasing some of the more good-hearted things Harry Lime was supposed to have done. Only sixteen of the episodes were acquired and broadcast by the BBC. It was the first time that the BBC broadcast episodes of a dramatic series that it did not produce. The full fifty-five episodes were syndicated to radio stations in the U.S. Welles is credited as the author of ten scripts, including the first episode, “Too Many Crooks” which aired on August 3rd, 1951. The fifth episode was called, “Voodoo,” something Orson Welles had a lot of experience with, dating back to his time in South America during World War II.

Paul Lisnek Behind the Curtain on WGN Plus
Lady Day at Emerson Bar & Grill: An unforgettable evening of Billie Holiday at Venus Cabaret through March 26th

Paul Lisnek Behind the Curtain on WGN Plus

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2023


In this new podcast, Paul goes Behind the Curtain with the star of “Lady Day at Emerson Bar & Grill,” Alexis J. Roston, to discuss her incredible one-woman performance as Billie Holiday appearing now at the Venus Cabaret at the Mercury Theater (3745 N. Southport in Chicago) through March 26th. Turn back the clock to […]

Flame ON!
The Speculative Pleasure of 2023

Flame ON!

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2023 100:36


Like Miss Jackson (cuz we're nasty) said, it is the pleasure principle, oh oh, and that's what you're getting in this episode! Whether it's upcoming superhero movies and television, music, or some good old-fashioned live theater, these pop culture moments are tickling the fancy of our fancy-footed hosts!The ball has dropped, the new year's resolutions have been made (and some have most likely been dropped), and the boys are back at the round table for their first discussion of 2023! As a counter-conversation to their last discussion as a group in 2022, the boys are making some predictions about the year in pop culture choosing their top five picks for content that they believe will give them pleasure (not pleasure them... get your mind out of the gutter!) and will hopefully make their year-end best-of lists! Bryan brings a mixture of live music along with the Dune nerdiness that you've come to expect while BeeJay is ready to ring in the new year with M3GAN shenanigans, video games, and of course The Marvels. On the other side of the table, Erik crosses his Bridgerton into the woods where he finds a Cocaine Bear and hopes that it's not The Last Of Us during his rounds. Well, of course, there's more, but that was the best sentence we could come up with and we hope you enjoyed it! Pat also talks music, his excitement for deep friends of the pod The Golden Gals (Ginger Minj, Gidget Galore, Divine Grace, and MRMS Adrien) and their month-long residency at The Mercury Theater in Chicago (get your tickets here), and much more! This year is shaping up to be full of amazing pop culture, so check out what the boys are looking forward to and share your picks in the comments!Sit back and get ready to FLAME ON!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/flameon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

GSMC Classics: The Mercury Theatre on the Air
GSMC Classics: The Mercury Theatre on the Air Episode 23 HG Wells Meets Orsen Wells

GSMC Classics: The Mercury Theatre on the Air

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2023 9:18


First aired on CBS radio network, in 1938, The Mercury Theater on the Air was an dramatic radio program, created and hosted by Orson Welles. The weekly hour-long show presented classic literary works performed by Welles's celebrated Mercury Theatre repertory company, with music composed or arranged by Bernard Herrmann. GSMC Classics presents some of the greatest classic radio broadcasts, classic novels, dramas, comedies, mysteries, and theatrical presentations from a bygone era. The GSMC Classics collection is the embodiment of the best of the golden age of radio. Let Golden State Media Concepts take you on a ride through the classic age of radio, with this compiled collection of episodes from a wide variety of old programs. ***PLEASE NOTE*** GSMC Podcast Network presents these shows as historical content and have brought them to you unedited. Remember that times have changed and some shows might not reflect the standards of today's politically correct society. The shows do not necessarily reflect the views, standards, or beliefs of Golden State Media Concepts or the GSMC Podcast Network. Our goal is to entertain, educate, and give you a glimpse into the past.

GSMC Classics: The Mercury Theatre on the Air
GSMC Classics: The Mercury Theatre on the Air Episode 22 The Pickwick Papers

GSMC Classics: The Mercury Theatre on the Air

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2022 63:07


First aired on CBS radio network, in 1938, The Mercury Theater on the Air was an dramatic radio program, created and hosted by Orson Welles. The weekly hour-long show presented classic literary works performed by Welles's celebrated Mercury Theatre repertory company, with music composed or arranged by Bernard Herrmann. GSMC Classics presents some of the greatest classic radio broadcasts, classic novels, dramas, comedies, mysteries, and theatrical presentations from a bygone era. The GSMC Classics collection is the embodiment of the best of the golden age of radio. Let Golden State Media Concepts take you on a ride through the classic age of radio, with this compiled collection of episodes from a wide variety of old programs. ***PLEASE NOTE*** GSMC Podcast Network presents these shows as historical content and have brought them to you unedited. Remember that times have changed and some shows might not reflect the standards of today's politically correct society. The shows do not necessarily reflect the views, standards, or beliefs of Golden State Media Concepts or the GSMC Podcast Network. Our goal is to entertain, educate, and give you a glimpse into the past.

Paul Lisnek Behind the Curtain on WGN Plus
‘CLUE' has audiences laughing all night at the Mercury Theater Chicago

Paul Lisnek Behind the Curtain on WGN Plus

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2022


On this podcast, Paul goes behind the curtain with the director and two of the stars of CLUE, currently playing at the Mercury Theater Chicago.  Mercury Theater's Executive Director and Director of CLUE, L. Walter Stearns is joined by cast members Mark David Kaplan (who plays Wadsworth) and Jonah D. Winston (who plays Colonel Mustard). […]

The Jacked Up Review Show Podcast
Retro Halloween Month Leftovers- Whacky Slasher Franchises Shit-Talk Special (with Mercury Theatre Podcast's John & Nathan)

The Jacked Up Review Show Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2022 66:13


The comedic minds and talents from the Mercury Theater group join me to discuss the pretentious, franchise-heavy and outrageously amusing slashers they've seen, heard of, saw shitty VHS/DVD covers of and other bizarre encounters with the subgenre of hack n' slashing!    What are ones they morbidly want to see but just can't bother to rent based on how awful the title is? What's one that they want to know the name of but it sounds like every other film they saw? What's another "funny" installment they're surprised they didn't see more rip-offs/sequels of? And more amusing chit-chat!                 MAIN LINKS:  LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/JURSPodcast Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/JackedUpReviewShow/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JackedUpReview  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacked_up_podcast/          SHOW LINKS: YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCIyMawFPgvOpOUhKcQo4eQQ   iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-jacked-up-review-show-59422651/   Podbean: https://jackedupreviewshow.podbean.com   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Eg8w0DNympD6SQXSj1X3M   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jacked-up-review-show-podcast/id1494236218   RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/the-jacked-up-review-show-We4VjE   Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1494236218/the-jacked-up-review-show-podcast   Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9hNDYyOTdjL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz   Anchor:  https://anchor.fm/s/a46297c/podcast/rss   PocketCasts: https://pca.st/0ncd5qp4   CastBox:  https://castbox.fm/channel/The-Jacked-Up-Review-Show-Podcast-id2591222      

Friends Talking Nerdy
Bonus Episode: Mercury Theater on the Air Presents The War of the Worlds

Friends Talking Nerdy

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2022 60:05


On this bonus episode of Friends Talking Nerdy, travel back in time with Orson Welles and the Mercury Theater on the Air as they present "The War of the Worlds". Make Abortion SAFER (saferinitiative.org) With everything going on in the world, please consider helping The Trevor Project if you can. They are currently looking for a trained remote Crisis Support Counselor. Consider supporting the ACLU as well. The attack on the Trans community will end up in court rooms around the country. Supporting the ACLU in any way helps give voice to the voiceless. Consider supporting The Brigid Alliance. Attacks on abortion are at an all time high. The Brigid Alliance helps people arrange funds and support for people looking to have an abortion. As always, we wish to thank Christopher Lazarek for his wonderful theme song. Head to his website for information on how to purchase his EP, Here's To You, which is available on all digital platforms. Head to our website for more information about the show. We welcome the newest show to the Friends Talking Nerdy Podcast Network, Excelsior Journeys with George Sirois is available at this link. Follow us on TikTok. Follow Friends Talking Nerdy on Instagram. Check out Season One of The TnT Review at this link. Follow Their Voices on Twitter @TheirVoices_Pod Check out their podcast at this link. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ftnerdy/message

Wow! I Didn't Know That! (or maybe I just forgot)
Oct 30th - Be Experimental - w/Orson Welles

Wow! I Didn't Know That! (or maybe I just forgot)

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2022 2:42


Fred discusses the radio production of War of the Worlds, presented by Orson Welles and the Mercury Theater. Those tuning in late to the broadcast missed the disclaimer that this was only a play. This led to may believing that the Earth was actually under attack by visitor from Mars on this day in 1938. www.rockysealemusic.com https://rockysealemusic.com/wow-i-didn-t-know-that-or-maybe-i-just-forgot https://www.facebook.com/150wordspodcast --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rocky-seale7/message

The Horror! (Old Time Radio)
Dracula by The Mercury Theater On The Air

The Horror! (Old Time Radio)

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2022


This week's episode of The Horror features an adaptation of Bram Stoker's novel, Dracula. This episode, the first of The Mercury Theater On The Air, originally aired July 11, 1938. More from The Mercury Theater https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/archive.org/download/rr12022/TheHorror1095.mp3 Download TheHorror1095 Your support makes this show possible. If you'd like to help, visit Donate.RelicRadio.com for more information. [...]

Mystery Theater Old Time Radio
Mystery Theater Best Old Time Radio Shows – Special 3 Hour Episode - #135

Mystery Theater Old Time Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2022 180:00


Understanding the Bible Made Easy Book- https://amzn.to/3ItWpoFClick the link to receive two free audiobooks from Audible: https://amzn.to/3uoIVVoFollow and Connect: https://linktr.ee/mysterytheaterIn a special Halloween treat for the whole family, OTR's spookiest old-time radio shows are highlighted. The Life of Riley and Abbott & Costello both deal with the frights and franticness of haunted houses; suspense is on the air with two spooky tales of ghost trains and alien takeovers, and our Feature Presentation rebroadcasts Orson Welles' fright-inspiring "War of the Worlds" from the eve of All Hallows Eve 1938. Enjoy great fun and laughs with these comedic shows.Hour 1: Fun and Laughs - Genres: Comedy, Variety, Situation ComedyFull Episode 1- The Life of Riley (Episode 42) Halloween Haunted House (10/29/44)Intermission--- Intermission music from Matty Malneck and his Orchestra (edit) (1948)Full Episode 2- Abbott and Costello (Episode 200) Bella Lugosi's Haunted House (05/05/48)Intermission--- Vintage Commercial: Kellogg's Raisin Bran (1952)Hour 2: Thrilling Drama - Genres: Suspense, Horror, Ghost Stories, Science FictionFull Episode 3- Suspense (Episode 672) The Signalman (11/04/56)Intermission--- Vintage Commercial: Anacin (1951)Full Episode 4- Suspense (Episode 834) Ray Bradbury's "Zero Hour" (01/03/60)Intermission--- Vintage Commercial: RCA Victor 19" Television Console (1951)Intermission--- Vintage Short: Tales of the Frightened (ca 1963) (ep 01) The Man In The RaincoatHour 3: ** OUR FEATURE PRESENTATION ** - Genres: 1-hour Drama, Science FictionFull Episode 5- Mercury Theater on the Air (Episode 17) The War of the Worlds (10/30/38)This program was originally produced by J.G.O. Brunet and released under a Creative Commons License (CC 2014 BY-ND 2.5).Mystery Theater Old Time Radio PodcastWe bring you the best radio plays and programs of mystery, intrigue, and comedy from the Golden Age of Radio. And along the way, we will share some history and information about the programs, cast, writers, and more.*Support the channel**Merch:*Social media:*Follow me on Instagram:*Follow me on Facebook:https://linktr.ee/mysterytheaterSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mystery-theater-old-time-radio-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Yesteryear Ballyhoo Revue
Ep. 80: Radio Revue- First Person Singular or ‘Orson V. Dracula: Dawn of Mercury Theater’

Yesteryear Ballyhoo Revue

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2022


The Bally-Boo presses on through the hallowed halls of horror into one of its most terrifying rooms, the one whereContinue readingEp. 80: Radio Revue- First Person Singular or ‘Orson V. Dracula: Dawn of Mercury Theater'

Madison On The Air
Bonus Feature - War of the Worlds: Truth about the Panic

Madison On The Air

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2022 10:16


Since the news splashed across the headlines following Orson Welles and the Mercury Theater's broadcast of "War of the Worlds," we've all been told the radio play caused widespread mayhem and panic. Are you ready to learn the actual facts of what happened? Karim Kronfli joins Madison to shed the truth on the story that is still being told today. Find us on the web: MadisonOnTheAir.com

Madison On The Air
Ep. 24 - War of the Worlds

Madison On The Air

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2022 42:17


On October 30th, 1938, Orson Welles and the Mercury Theater re-envisioned the 1897 H.G. Wells’ classic “War of the Worlds” as a Halloween treat and created a global sensation. Adapted from Orson Welles’ adaptation, Madison embarks upon her own journey through the infamous Martian invasion in her hometown of Los Angeles across landmarks like the Griffith Park Observatory, Hollywood Boulevard and the La Brea Tar Pits. It’s Madison vs. Martians… who will survive the invasion? TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE: MadisonOnTheAir.com

Most Notorious! A True Crime History Podcast
264: The 1938 War of the Worlds Radio Broadcast w/ A. Brad Schwartz

Most Notorious! A True Crime History Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2022 99:48


A. Brad Schwartz, who entertained us with Eliot Ness stories in back-to-back episodes earlier this year, returns to talk about the notorious October 30, 1938 radio broadcast of War of the Worlds, directed by Orson Wells. The young and up-and-coming Orson Wells shocked and frightened listeners who tuned in late to his radio adaptation of H.G. Wells' science fiction novel, which tells the story of an invasion of Earth by tentacled aliens. The broadcast was delivered in a news story style so realistic that those who weren't aware it was a Mercury Theater production panicked. The extent and nature of the panic, however, is disputed, and my guest sets the record straight (as best as primary sources allow) about what really happened. His book is called "Broadcast Hysteria: Orson Welles's War of the Worlds and the Art of Fake News", and more information about his work can be found here: https://abradschwartz.com/

Breaking Walls
BW - EP131—012: Orson Welles Is The Shadow—Looking Ahead To Halloween With Mutual Broadcasting

Breaking Walls

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2022 4:33


In the fall of 1938 as Orson Welles was launching The Mercury Theater of The Air, radio character actor Bill Johnstone became The Shadow. Johnstone held the role until March 21st, 1943, when Brett Morison took over. Morison had the title role for most of the rest of the radio run. The Shadow would air until December 26th, 1954. We're going to stop here. I've covered Welles from his birth through Pearl Harbor in episode 79 and from there to the early 1950s in episode 104. While we're wrapping up our coverage of The Shadow, we're staying with The Mutual Broadcasting System in October and getting into the Halloween spirit. Next time on Breaking Walls, we'll spend Halloween with Mutual Broadcasting mystery shows of the 1940s.

Breaking Walls
BW - EP131—011: Orson Welles Is The Shadow—Orson In The Fall Of 1938

Breaking Walls

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2022 7:48


In late June 1938, Orson Welles was approached by CBS. He was offered a one-hour, network sustained time slot on Mondays at 9PM. William Paley's concept: A Mercury Theater of the air for a nine-week trial run. Unlike Welles and Houseman's theater productions which had several weeks of rehearsal, the show would begin in just two, on July 11th. Houseman was nervous. He'd never done radio. Welles would direct, narrate, and star. The Mercury theater troupe would support. Bernard Hermann would be musical director and Davidson Taylor supervisor. Welles called the show First Person Singular. A take on Bram Stoker's Dracula was selected for the first episode. Welles and Houseman had total creative control. The premiere set the tone. Over the next nine weeks, listeners heard adaptations of classics like Treasure Island, A Tale of Two Cities, The 39 Steps, The Man Who Was Thursday, The Affairs of Anatole, and The Count of Monte Cristo, for which, Welles simulated the sound of a dungeon by having the actors play their scene from the floor of the CBS restroom. He placed two dynamic microphones against the bases of the toilet seat in order to achieve realistic subterranean reverberations. After September 5th, 1938, CBS renewed the series under a new name: The Mercury Theater of The Air, moving it to Sundays at 8PM, opposite NBC's highest-rated show: Edgar Bergen's Chase and Sanborn Hour. It set the stage for a series of events which would forever alter the course of Orson Welles' life.

Madison On The Air
War of the Worlds Ep. 24 - Trailer

Madison On The Air

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2022 1:00


PREMIERES OCTOBER 1st! On October 30th, 1938, Orson Welles and the Mercury Theater re-envisioned the 1897 H.G. Wells' classic "War of the Worlds" as a Halloween treat and created a global sensation. Adapted from Orson Welles' adaptation, Madison embarks upon her own journey through the infamous Martian invasion in her hometown of Los Angeles across landmarks like the Griffith Park Observatory, Hollywood Boulevard and the La Brea Tar Pits. It's Madison vs. Martians... who will survive the invasion? Find us on the web: MadisonOnTheAir.com

Breaking Walls
BW - EP131—010: Orson Welles Is The Shadow—The Mercury Theater Leaves The Shadow

Breaking Walls

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2022 5:00


The success of The Shadow was shared by Blue Coal. Billboard reported that twelve months after the premiere their sales were up nearly eleven percent. Blue Coal was selling for as much as two dollars per ton more than their competitors. In February of 1938 Orson Welles opined that “radio's future big-wigs will be college graduates.” By then more than ninety colleges offered courses in radio speech, while radio writing was taught at fifty-seven colleges, and fifty-three colleges were teaching radio acting. Both radio music and radio law were also becoming class offerings. The last episode of The Shadow's autumn run aired on March 20th, 1938. Although everyone knew who played Lamont, for the first time on air, Orson Welles was given credit for his role. Welles was contracted to produce twenty-six more episodes for a syndicated summer run. They co-starred Margot Stevenson as Margot Lane. Ironically, the character was named for Miss Stevenson who was originally supposed to play the role that fall. Goodrich Tires would sponsor the summer run, with Blue Coal immediately signing on for another season in the fall. Agnes Moorehead would again play Margot, but Welles would be leaving for CBS that summer and taking the Mercury Theater troupe with him. Welles was contracted to produce twenty-six more episodes for a syndicated summer run. They co-starred Margot Stevenson as Margot Lane. Ironically, the character was named for Miss Stevenson who was originally supposed to play the role that fall. Goodrich Tires would sponsor the summer run, with Blue Coal immediately signing on for another season in the fall. Agnes Moorehead would again play Margot, but Welles would be leaving for CBS that summer and taking the Mercury Theater troupe with him.

Breaking Walls
BW - EP131—005: Orson Welles Is The Shadow—The Shadow Launches With Orson Welles

Breaking Walls

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2022 5:28


In the fall of 1937, Orson Welles was busy readying for a Mercury Theater broadway production of Julius Caesar. The agency Ruthrauff and Ryan approached Welles about the possibility of starring in a weekly radio series. His signing was announced in The New York Times on August 29th, 1937. Welles' contract allowed him to miss rehearsals and readings. He was paid seventy-five dollars per week, or roughly fifteen hundred today, for one-half hour of weekly work. On Sunday September 26th, at 5:30PM the new version of The Shadow debuted. The program's announcer was Ken Roberts. Opposite Welles as Margot Lane was Agnes Moorhead, along with many of the Mercury Theater players. The Shadow was Lamont Cranston, a wealthy man about town. He had the ability to cloak himself with invisibility and to read minds. They were tools of Mesmer, learned through years of study in the orient and India. Walter Gibson's involvement in the radio series was minimal. Clark Andrews directed the first few broadcasts with Martin Gabel becoming the de facto director thereafter.

SciFi OTR
Science Fiction OTR-Mercury Theater-381030-War Of The World

SciFi OTR

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2022 58:34


Science Fiction OTR-Mercury Theater-381030-War Of The World http://oldtimeradiodvd.com  or Nostalgia USA PRIME Roku Channel

Breaking Walls
BW - EP131—001: Orson Welles Is The Shadow—Orson's Early Radio Career

Breaking Walls

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2022 16:44


In the spring of 1935, nineteen year-old Orson Welles was living in New York, appearing on stage in Katharine Cornell's stock company and workin on CBS' American School of the Air and The March of Time. The next year, Welles was on the debut episode of CBS's Columbia Workshop. The program's creator Irving Reiss recognized Orson's talent, while Welles studied the creative risks The Workshop took. He began to assemble his Mercury Theater troupe just as FDR launched the Federal Theater Project. John Houseman invited Welles to be part of an African-American theater unit in Harlem. Their first co-production was an adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth. Welles changed the setting to a mythical island. Voodoo took the place of Scottish witchcraft. The play opened on April 14th, 1936, at the Lafayette Theater in Harlem. It received incredible reviews. By that autumn, Welles was traveling between Chicago and New York, appearing on Mutual Broadcasting's Wonder Show, and on The Columbia Workshop. On Sunday April 11th, 1937 The Workshop broadcast a verse-play written especially for radio by Archibald MacLeish. It was called The Fall of the City. It was an allegory on the rise of fascism. The broadcast took place at the massive Seventh regiment armory on 67th street and Park avenue in New York. Reiss used over one-hundred fifty extras, and entrusted Welles to be the narrator. To get proper sonic differentiation, they built radio's first narration booth. The Fall of The City was selected by The New York Times as one of the outstanding broadcasts of 1937. Time magazine noted that it proved to listeners radio was science's gift to poetry and poetic drama. The Fall of the City made Orson Welles a star. Mutual Broadcasting was about to give him the opportunity of a lifetime.