Why Orson Welles still influences film, radio, and theater

Early influences - In 1926, he enrolled at the Todd Seminary for Boys, an independent preparatory school located in Woodstock, Illinois, noted for its creative educational environment that emphasized practical experience over traditional academics. Here, Welles (fourth from left) first began performing and staging theatrical experiments and productions.

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Debut - Welles made his stage debut in Ireland, this on October 13, 1931 at the Gate Theatre in Dublin.

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'Panic' (1935) - The burgeoning actor’s first starring role on a US stage was in 'Panic,' a 1935 verse play by Archibald Macleish, which was produced by John Houseman (1902–1988).

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Federal Theatre Project - Welles and Houseman enjoyed a productive collaboration as members of the Federal Theatre Project. Welles would go on to co-write and direct 'Horse Eats Hat' (1936).

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‘Horse Eats Hat’ (1936) - Written by Welles and poet Edwin Denby, 'Horse Eats Hat' was an adaptation of the 1851 French comedy 'The Italian Straw Hat.'

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The Mercury Theatre - In 1937, Welles and Houseman founded their own repertory company, which they called the Mercury Theatre.

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Impresario - Welles became the Mercury Theatre's executive producer, making him Broadway’s youngest impresario.

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'Caesar' (1937) - The Mercury Theatre opened in November 1937 with 'Caesar.' The play was an innovative modern-dress bare stage adaptation of Shakespeare's 'Julius Caesar,' and was a critical success. Arthur Anderson, who played the young role of Lucius (pictured), was the inspiration behind Robert Kaplow’s 2003 novel 'Me and Orson Welles,' as well as for its 2008 film adaptation.

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'Caesar' (1937) - In addition to adapting the text, Welles directed the production and performed the role of Marcus Brutus. The contemporary setting and its anti-fascist message set Broadway on its ear. 'Caesar' is regarded as Welles’ highest achievement in theater.

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Radio - Besides his work in theater, Welles worked in radio, where he was an actor, writer, director, and producer.

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'Les Misérables' (1937) -

His adaptation of 'Les Misérables' served as the Mercury Theatre's (pictured) radio debut. It also saw Welles effectively invent the use of narration in radio.

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'The War of the Worlds' (1938) - On October 30, 1938, 'The Mercury Theatre on the Air' broadcast aired 'The War of the Worlds.' Directed and narrated by Welles, the episode subsequently became notorious for causing widespread panic among its listening audience, who believed that a Martian invasion of Earth was taking place.

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'The War of the Worlds' (1938) - Radio Digest reprinted the script of 'The War of the Worlds' as a commentary on the nervous state of the US nation after the increased warmongering in Nazi Germany. It's prefaced by an editorial cartoon by Les Callan of the Toronto Star (February 1939).

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'The War of the Worlds' (1938) - The program’s news bulletin format detailing the alien "attack" was so realistic that during the days after the adaptation, considerable outrage was expressed against the radio industry for allowing it to happen. During a press conference (pictured), Welles said he had not anticipated the terror the broadcast would stir up.

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Hollywood beckons - The episode secured Welles’ fame as a dramatist. Soon afterwards, Hollywood was knocking on his door.

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'Citizen Kane' (1941) - Regularly cited as one of the greatest films ever made, 'Citizen Kane' was nominated for Academy Awards in nine categories.

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'Citizen Kane' (1941) - The film is especially praised for its cinematography, editing, music, and narrative structure, all of which have been considered innovative and precedent-setting.

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'Citizen Kane' (1941) - Kane ages convincingly in the film’s breakfast montage. The makeup technique is noted for its precision, creativity, and inventiveness.

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'Citizen Kane' (1941) - 'Citizen Kane' was Welles’ first feature film. Besides producing and directing the picture, he is also its co-screenwriter. And, of course, he stars in the movie as newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane. Pictured is Welles and cinematographer Gregg Toland.

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'Citizen Kane' (1941) - A promotional still from the film.

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'Citizen Kane' (1941) - The National Board of Review recognized both Welles and George Coulouris (who appeared as Mark Anthony in 'Caesar') for their performances in 'Citizen Kane,' which was also voted the year’s best film.

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'The Magnificent Ambersons' (1942) - Often cited as one of the best American films ever made—and an Orson Welles masterpiece—'The Magnificent Ambersons' saw the filmmaker behind the camera as the director. However, he provided the narration.

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'The Magnificent Ambersons' (1942) - In fact, the film is one of the earliest in movie history in which all the credits are spoken by an off-screen voice (Welles’) rather than printed onscreen. Welles also reads his own credit ("My name is Orson Welles").

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'The Lady from Shanghai' (1947) - Praised in Europe upon its release, 'The Lady from Shanghai' received a lukewarm critical reception in the US. However, the film has grown in stature over the years, with its set designs and camerawork particularly praised. Indeed, the final shootout in the hall of mirrors (pictured) is considered a film noir tour de force.

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'The Third Man' (1949) - One of Welles’ most iconic acting roles is that of the mysterious Harry Lime in Carol Reed’s celebrated film noir, set in post-WWII Vienna. Atmospheric black and white expressionist cinematography and a music score that features only a zither adds to the movie's status as one of the greatest British films of all time.

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'Touch of Evil' (1958) - Another memorable role is Welles’ corrupt police captain Hank Quinlan in 'Touch of Evil.' A classic of the film noir era, Welles co-stars with Charlton Heston and Janet Leigh.

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'Touch of Evil' (1958) - As the film's director, Welles again proved original and innovative: the opening sequence—a single uninterrupted tracking shot lasting three minutes and twenty second—is one of the finest long takes in cinema history.

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'Me and Orson Welles' (2008) -

Starring Christian McKay as Welles and Zac Efron as Richard Samuels (a character based on the real life 15-year-old Arthur Anderson), the film tells the story of a teenager hired to perform in Welles’ 1937 stage play 'Caesar.' A runaway critical success, the movie brought back to life the groundbreaking production of which nothing survives except for the design sketches and some still photographs.

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Getty Images

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Orson Welles (1915–1985) - Born George Orson Welles in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the young Welles initially pursued music as a career.

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