Orson Welles - Interview with Michael Parkinson (BBC 1974)

[@2ndAveScents]

Imagine an Orson Welles podcast today. Holy cow.

[@jasoncinema]

“Hello, my friends, and welcome back to this shared space of conversation.” Fuck, he’d be amazing. Goddamn, imagine the incredible films from him we never got to see.

[@mazukakai]

He'd be canceled in the middle of the first episode I imagine.

[@boosh90]

You'd subscribe for the ad reads alone

[@donaldmatthew4980]

Daniel my dear friend , imagine dear Orson having dinner with you and I, amazing.

[@userka8936]

BBBBAAAHHHAAA dollar shave club

[@LPJack02]

RIP Orson Welles (May 6, 1915 - October 10, 1985), aged 70 And RIP Sir Michael Parkinson (March 28, 1935 - August 16, 2023), aged 88 You both will be remembered as legends.

[@govinda102000]

Sir Michael well respected and a fine interview which Orson enjoyed.

[@brianbozo2447]

I used to think he was grandiose and pretentious but he is actually a really honest ,warm, funny, down to earth, charismatic , great conversationalist and story teller . A really exceptional man. And he knew Hemingway !

[@Bonkatsu12]

"Any form of entertainment only exists because it corresponds with a moment in time." God, this guy is a genius.

[@MetalSlugzMaster]

@Akash Akks He stated it eloquently, but it's actually very simple. It means all of us, both individually and collectively, are to a great extent products of our time - what we want, what we do, what we like, what we hate, what's popular, and what's not. Entertainment of the day naturally reflects this and becomes an enduring snapshot of that particular time.

[@The22on]

So true. If I lived a few of centuries ago, I would probably be very religious. There were be no credible alternative explanation for natural disasters, disease, etc. Back then, the answer that "God did it" would have been a good one to me.

[@mugsspongedice679]

Bonkatsu12 I saw Orson Welles filming the opening scenes of “Touch of Evil” on Windward Ave., Venice Beach, California. I was a wee lad. It put Welles deep in my subconscious. Tremendous energy, talent, focus. Sometime there will be another awesome talent emerge.

[@wymanstewart6118]

Size and intellect matters in all of history and the future.....I must not miss the opportunity to point out the void of intellect in our big dumb president

[@tristramcoffin926]

Hence, the greatest thing to be today is a KZbinr

[@Zizou23_zidane]

"99% of people wont read this ...... but have a fantastic day you 1%'ers !!"

[@robertvertacnik9989]

He was, and still is " The Most Interesting Man in the World ".

[@vincentsartain3061]

I occasionally find unfavorable comments and judgements about Welles, and maybe he HAD slipped up here and there to give himself a less than sterling reputation, but gosh darn it, WHO ON EARTH is without sin and wants to cast the first stone? Whatever else can be said of him, he was NEVER boring or banal, almost always full of informative insights.

[@ThrowerTimothy]

@@vincentsartain3061 Amen

[@andrewwilliams9599]

Stay interesting, my friends.

[@ritter1808]

XX

[@samsoncrosswood7259]

He is fascinating. As a kid, I had heard of him - he was that large and commanding guy with the Voice from the Paul Masson commercials, the host of that early 80s Nostradamus film and the narrator of History of the World. I knew of him. And then, in my early 20s, I saw Citizen Kane, by accident, on AMC I think, when it actually showed classic films.

[@Milestonemonger]

I cannot get enough of this fascinating man. This is when I truly appreciate KZbin

[@EugeneAxe]

So refreshing to see actual intellectualism on display. This interview was a joy.

[@Bellasie1]

Don't we all miss intelligent celebrities interviewed by well-spoken, elegant tv personalities? Don't we miss a higher level of entertainment like in the old days?

[@franceskirton7655]

At present, one of the pleasures in my life is re-watching some of Parky's old interviews, and this one is one of the best!

[@alanbobe-velez9716]

Sad to say, we are living in an age of mediocrity. When a no-talent bimbo such as Jennifer López is considered to be a superstar then you know this era is characterized by banality.

[@viciousdope66]

I am deeply disappointed in “modern society” and the lack of intelligence in media…It seems that the public at large would rather be entertained by ignorance and stupidity instead of using that most powerful muscle we know as the brain. I’m all for Democracy, but if we lived in a true democratic nation, we’d all be DOOMED. The common man is an IDIOT; and it’s those idiots who find fart jokes and genital-related humor to be the height of American Art and Entertainment…It’s those who would doom us all.

[@alanbobe-velez9716]

@@viciousdope66 I agree with everything you said. Without a doubt, the common man is an idiot. Idiots put a dangerous buffoon in the White House in 2016. They are looking to do so again in 2024. Lord help us!

[@BombShot]

No. I don't know if you have realized this but people vote with their eyes. Orson Welles wasn't as popular back in his day as people look back and remember, he's spoken many times about how people didn't wish to hear or see what he had to say because they preferred to just be entertained. Nothing in that regard has changed, and now the intelligent people are found elsewhere, all you have to do is look for them. He received criticism.

[@chudmaverick6256]

"My father, who was a great hunter suddenly stopped hunting. He said I've killed enough animals, and I'm ashamed of myself."

[@andrewwilliams9599]

What a divinely sane and human(e) thing to say.

[@michellewelsh1322]

I absolutely love that he said that too. It endears one to them ~ u know?

[@crism3lo]

All hunters are psychos.

[@martinlopezpgara5treestart263]

Devine and human would have been the right thing instead of regret afterwards

[@playbackproductions1]

That means he wasn't eating the meat.

[@rowley555]

Orson Welles always communicated and expressed himself very clearly....never highfalutin....simply brilliant.

[@darklink1113]

The stories bout Hemingway are worth their weight in gold. Very enjoyable.

[@Mike95Watkins]

I love how, even at the size he got to, his face lights up and is so expressive when talking. Such an engaging man.

[@polkka7797]

He’s like Brian blessed

[@as7825]

Spectacular interview and Parky was told by Welles to tear up his notes and have a chat, and they did. Two geniuses at work.

[@zflynn2]

"I was hated and despised...I look back at those times [Hollywood's Golden Era] and I realized how many great people that town has destroyed since its earliest beginnings How almost everyone of merit was either destroyed or diminished. And how the few people were good survived and what a great minority they were..." Brilliantly honest. There was the heart of Orson Wells' genius. I can count on two hands the number of people throughout history I would break many years of sobriety to get drunk with. Orson is at the top of that very modest list.

[@lexietalionis]

What a waste that would be to get drunk with him when you could stay sober and present to really absorb what he had to say.

[@westrig180]

@@lexietalionis Depends on who's drinking the Paul Masson

[@erictheking97]

Certainly a guy you would love to be stuck in a lift with.

[@darrenwalshe8513]

A beautiful soul indeed ❤️

[@ricardocantoral7672]

Fritz Lang is an example. With the exception of two or three films, he never reached the highs of his early years when he started working in Hollywood.

[@pape37]

I recently watched "F for Fake" after hearing Robert Anton Wilson call it the greatest film of all time.(not "Kane") The part I most enjoyed was the supplemental documentary on Orson's later years. I'm not an actor, but in his unique way he was everything I aspire to be: a true cosmopolitan man. Wordly but spiritual. Powerful but sensitive. Learned but not arrogant. Serious yet playful. Sensual but full of love. And full of humor. That kind of nuanced character is a rare thing these days. Truly a man in the old style.

[@The22on]

I aspired to be like a "Renaissance Man", since my teens, and think I succeeded, at least by my standards. I travelled the world, read a lot, learned music, art, and science at the university level, and kept an open mind as I studied many subjects. I am now older and feel I have met almost all my goals. By the way, money was never a prime goal for me. What was important was living "a life of the mind". I can honestly say I am content and spend my time now with my favorite activity: learning. The internet is a blessing (even to an atheist like me). Believe it or not, one of my 'idols' was George Carlin. He faced the world with a healthy cynicism, but enjoyed its pleasures. In my fantasy, I would have dinner with Carlin, Hitchens, Sagan, Feynman, Hefner, some prominent women (not via Hefner lol), Epicurus, Tchaikovsky, Fermi, Carrey, and a few others. Bravo to your wanting to emulate Welles.

[@G-Mastah-Fash]

A true renaissance man.

[@wildkeith]

He grew up in an extremely rich family. His father didn't even have to work because of inheritance. Rich children of that generation were schooled in how to speak and act. It was called Transatlantic accent. It was a a made up culture used to separate classes of people. Most people in movies before WW2 and a little while later all were trained in this way of speaking. Most Americans didn't sound anything like that.

[@ScottlandShaffner0423]

@@The22on,great comment. I very much relate, but need a lot more on the traveling side... to the future! Soo fascinating, this Orson character.

[@lmc2664]

pape37 your comment inspired me which movie I should select to watch today. Thanks!

[@anthonychrisbradley]

Probably the most handsome fat dude ever.

[@reavesmo8060]

There's an interview with him a week before he died where he looked even healthier than he does here and he was a 70 year old obese man on death's door.

[@pikppa]

ACB Films Which interview?

[@NxDoyle]

ACB Films Probably one of the greatest 'fat dudes' ever. Greater than many of the more lithe dudes, too.

[@jsheekey1]

So True, he's gorgeous 😍

[@tamaratucker3399]

ACB Films l

[@oldschoolm8]

Fantastic interview. You wouldn't see this on Jonathan Ross! This was an era of intellectually stimulating guests.........And Emu.

[@allybally0021]

Exactly. Parkinson's interview focussed on the guest. Jonathan Ross's interviews are more showcases for himself. The Emu interview is emblazoned on my mind from originally seeing it in the 70s.

[@holymoses1744]

Ross wouldn't want to interview Welles, as he could almost pronounce the name correctly.

[@BjørjaBear]

Jez Creed It was also an era where they did broadcast these types of interviews. These days it is just a bunch of informercials with Paradise Hotel and what-not. Brilliant interview.

[@boosh90]

and of course emu

[@donaldmatthew4980]

The best grasp of English ever. Wholly entertaining, simply because of his fine eloquence, not many people have this, poor those.

[@albaproductions9602]

Orson's intelligence is way above many who Parky interviewed.

[@Edward1312]

Orson's intelligence is way above Parkinson's.

[@glamdolly30]

Tony - you beat me to it, Parky is exposed as the bumbling buffoon he is in this interview!

[@scottinbristol]

@@Edward1312 Not many whose aren't

[@scottinbristol]

@@glamdolly30 I go against the grain, I know, but I always hated Parky as an interviewer. We would sit as a family on a Saturday night and watch, with everyone loving him, but I thought he was sycophantic and really dim.

[@glamdolly30]

@@scottinbristol I've worked with Mr P at the BBC and I agree with your assessment of him!

[@aryehfinklestein9041]

Orson Welles seems to me to be the American equivalent of England's Peter Ustinov - aristocratic background, world traveler acquainted with many countries and cultures, intimate of the great, gifted raconteur, theatrical genius.

[@technodroog]

Welles was a marvelous interviewee...here's someone who actually lived up to the "Most Interesting Man In the World" moniker

[@margaretcronin5581]

Culprit LA try peter ustinov

[@lindashelley3635]

Margaret Cronin Another great raconteur. Just imagine the two of them together in conversation, that really would be riveting television.

[@fandorjuve9129]

Welles says, "Was I not living second hand..." watching bullfighters. Interesting comment. Aren't we all living "second hand" watching movies, the "news". sporting events, cable television, ect. LIFE needs to be lived, in the NOW, day by day. Orson Welles would agree.

[@garystafford9514]

Agreed. I believe that the word to properly sum it up is 'vicariously'.

[@reekies9952]

This man is a beautiful human being. I've watched all there is to watch about Orson Welles (Each interview 200 times) and he's class always come through

[@james5460]

I love Orson. His intellect is scattershot, but when he trains his guns he gets way, way more hits than anyone else in the arts. He's uttered more truly profound comments than the rest of Hollywood combined throughout history.

[@spactick]

Scattershot? how so? I think he was capable of just about anything if he put his mind to it. Except maybe getting $$$$$ to make his films and getting along with the people who financed his projects

[@s.t.martin7939]

He was A Genius Director/Actor/Writer/Artist!! “Citizen Kane,” was a True Masterpiece!! He was Truly a Man Ahead of his time, in So Many Ways!!

[@jackroberts416]

Agreed. But to utter more profound things than the rest of Hollywood isn't exactly hard to do. Hollywood isn't exactly made up of intelligent people or philosophers. It is just a bunch of people playing make believe who think they are better than everybody else because people know who they are and they have a lot of money.

[@pamshewan9181]

Truth!

[@CruisinBen]

Scattershot is not the right word lol

[@johnm.515]

A time when the interviewer was an artist of listening.

[@johnking5174]

And a time when an interview lasts more than 10 minutes, as modern so called talk shows don't let the guest talk much and concentrate more on the host and sketches

[@TheMiist]

@Back Track you're all wrong. These things have just transitioned to podcasts.

[@simeonorive145]

When they had someone worth listening to.

[@BenWillock]

Yes, the public's attention span isn't long enough to handle long-form interviews like this, now it's all the same cookie-cutter pre-scripted charade. Guest comes on, a few light questions are asked, guest goes into a scripted anecdote that may or may not actually be all that entertaining or funny but heavens know the interviewer will act like its the best thing he's ever heard. Plug upcoming project, then that's a wrap. In and out in 10 minutes, as John said.

[@andeace23]

I love the way he talked

[@bubble2643]

They styled Brain's speech (from Pinky and the Brain) on it.

[@xWINfinity]

True WASP style

[@nickkuhl3426]

What is a WASP style??

[@thiggs93]

Trans atlantic

[@tristramcoffin926]

Similar to Vin Scully Welles could read listings out of a phone book and somehow it would be interesting.

[@bluecolor1600]

I love him!! What an absolutely brilliant man he was! "Tomorrow is forever" is one of my all-time favourite films, because of this genius! No one will ever come close to the exceptional Orson Welles!

[@russellcampbell9198]

Parky was lucky to be an interviewer at a time when there was a lot of people worth interviewing.

[@mugsspongedice679]

I saw Orson Welles filming the opening scenes of “Touch of Evil” on Windward Ave., Venice Beach, California. I was a wee lad. It put Welles deep in my subconscious. Tremendous energy, talent, focus. Sometime there will be another awesome talent emerge.

[@watermelon520b]

TBH it's rare I've ever come across anyone who I am just in awe of. I've never encountered such a radiant person and Orson Welles is more than just a 'presence' or 'charismatic'. He's so human.

[@francesca3731]

I could not agree more.

[@Rnyargd]

When I was in my 20’s I rewatched “The Muppet Movie” and when Orson appeared on screen towards the end of the film, I legit started to tear up because his mere presence was awe inspiring. He was some kind of a man.

[@poetcomic1]

WOW! What exquisitely relaxed and delicious and yet profound conversation. Another era.

[@DaGleese]

Agreed, these days the presenter would rudely interrupt him and rush every point out of him. His opinions on Churchill and bull fighting would have the twitter SJW's going mental, there would have been 3 ad breaks during this clip. I hate the way things are now.

[@jimborama1124]

@@DaGleese you are so right. I too was thinking how many commercials would have interrupted this.

[@roc7880]

scoundrel and the quote is from Swift

[@DaGleese]

@Alan Smithee look up what straw men means. You are using it wrong.

[@giovanna722]

@@DaGleeseHis opinion on bullfighting was nuanced and humane. He said he loved the bull more than the man, but that it had been a journey to realize that. I don't see anyone finding that objectionable.

[@carolynkingsley4421]

I love to listen to Wells. I remain spellbound by him. He is irreplaceable.

[@delryn256]

Is that the cane from Citizen Kane?

[@docdave15]

Wait a minute.. there was no cane in Citizen Kane!

[@docdave15]

it's also a joke from a Simpsons episode. That's what I'm referring to.

[@delryn256]

johnhamilton08 I actually think there was a cane in Citizen Kane. I wonder if this is that very same cane...

[@othyization]

delryn256 Yeah the cane called Bose Rud :p

[@LazlosPlane]

johnhamilton08 No, no, no!!! Kane is a person! It's the cane from "The Caine Mutiny"!!!

[@_Ozka]

If this dude was around today, the joe rogan podcast would last 6 hours

[@jgvtc559]

If people like this were around people like joe Rogan wouldn't be gathering audiences for anything

[@EyeShotFirst]

@@jgvtc559 I don't understand the Rogan bashing. Sure, not every guest may be your cup of tea, but I think overall, his show has given us an intimate look into the lives and minds of the guests he has featured.

[@tracytayag3989]

Ha ha! YES! Truly! And the every second of that six hour show would have me on the edge of my seat, hanging on every word. Orson had a superhuman talent with the gift of speech.

[@DarkKar]

At first I thought Joe doesn't deserve him, which is true in some ways.......... but then I imagined all the cigar smoke.

[@marklentine8793]

Welles would be a fan

[@theezlife6056]

According to James Earl Jones, Orson Welles was considered for the voice of Darth Vader for the original film, but ultimately decides against it since he would have been too recognizable. Can you imagine the Dark Lord of the Sith being voiced by this legend?

[@NikSwiftDigs]

Man, the age of the great interviewee has passed, just as the age of the great opera singers and movie stars has.

[@MeanderingSlacker]

The age of the great television interview has dulled, but great podcast, internet, youtube, and other new medium interviews can still shine great.

[@dtzjones7632]

I think it's more like there are no more good actor's/actresses directors interesting or interlectuals to interview anymore

[@Badchi]

Nikolaus Cox Half the interview they are being nostalgic about good old days and the golden age and whatnot. And here we are doing the same about time period they are at on the video here. And none of us are wrong, at the same time. Maybe we are degrading as a species?..

[@scottnapier943]

Mr Welles often spoke of great Actors 'Displacing air' I watch this interview and the man displaces time itself. Genius.

[@philiphalpenny2945]

Welles's appraisal of the peerless james Cagney could almost have been adopted as an epitaph.

[@thomasd2444]

07:14 - Will you define what a communist is ... I want to answer your question, honestly. _________ How can I answer your question if you don't tell me what you mean [by communist] ? 07:32 - Well, I guess it's where whatever you make goes to the GOVT. 07:37 - I said, I'm 86% communist. The rest is capitalist ... Income tax

[@FilmCardStars]

It is rare to find an interview of a film star where they talk openly about acting or their favorite actors. This was excellent Thank You

[@EgbertWilliams]

FilmCard Star Take a look at the book of lunch conversations between Welles and Henry Jaglom. He gives unfiltered opinions about everything. He dislikes or diminishes so much and so many, that when he offers praise, you really take notice. And he's not blithely dismissive. He gives very cogent, salient reasons for his derision.

[@garethburch6015]

Mr Wells wasn’t just a great filmmaker, but a great actor as well.

[@clubedanarrativa5603]

He was a great director, writer, actor, narrator, magician and more

[@johnwallen438]

Parkinson like a 15 year old boy interviewing the school's head prefect.

[@flanplan5903]

In all fairness, who WOULDN’T be intimidated interviewing Orson Welles?

[@kraken138]

What makes me upset is when I think about Spielberg, Lucas, Coppola, Scorsese, etc..all claimed Orson Welles was a hero to them, but none of them ever gave him a dime to do a movie His way, like they did for Kurosawa.

[@JonCombo]

Spielberg and Lucas couldn't have done too much until closer to his death.

[@JorgeVelezMusic]

Ehhh...not true. Welles died in the '80s. SS and Lucas were multimillionaires by then.

[@TPQ1980]

Talk is cheap. Financing a movie is not.

[@dystopia47]

He would have been demonized had he lived today

[@dtzjones7632]

Agreed

[@MarkGloverMasterson]

He was the man -- true Original. Set the standards no doubt! Giant? A colossus!

[@MarkGloverMasterson]

Yeah but brains/creativity over looks any day, daddyo. Looks fade... Stoopid sticks around! : /

[@MarkGloverMasterson]

+Andrew Johnson. Yeah... I do have one. Thx broster.

[@FuzzyDlop]

+Mark Glover Masterson Actually he didn't. There were many before him who did that.

[@MarkGloverMasterson]

If there were "many" who set-up original, ground breaking shots that are used and all-out copied in narrative cinema today, and fucked w/linear storytelling that's also used and all-out copied today, and starred in, produced, directed, wrote, obsessed over and bet all a man has on a single film -- "many" seems like a laughing stock my feeble amigo. But good damn try...

[@pix046]

+Mark Glover Masterson And a suitably massive cigar. In those days it was "Do you mind if I don't smoke?"

[@davideckersall5477]

The great and tragic Orson Welles. What a great interview he was! There is no one remotely as interesting in movies today.

[@DEADPOOL9AND]

There will be people worse than him, maybe better than him, but no one will ever be like Orson Welles.

[@francesca3731]

I agree so very much with every word of your comment.

[@AndrewMarcFarkasSAFELY]

Nolan, Scorsese, and the Wakowskis

[@charlynegezze8536]

Now they're all selling a new movie or book.

[@vincentsartain3061]

@@charlynegezze8536 in a lot of cases, the popular actors, writers, etc., are bound by contract with the studios and publishers to do their bit in plugging their product, which in a way is no different now than it was in the Old Hollywood days of the almighty film studio contracts era, where actors were obligated to make public promotional appearances.

[@renemanneveld7362]

He was a great actor much better than Marlon Brando !.

[@cameron1975williams]

One of the most charismatic men cinema ever saw...and that's saying something. They just don't make 'em like that anymore.

[@gulleyjimson]

According to Parkinson, Welles insisted on being paid in cash. They also had to take out their regular guest chair and install a supersize one for him.

[@davidomahony6559]

I need to listen to people like Orson every now and again. He is a genius in the colloquial sense of the word, as he is extremely intelligent and thoughtful and listening to him is such a pleasure and also a lesson in how an intelligent person thinks and speaks. Can't wait for his final film to be released next year, 2015.

[@winstonsmith11]

@Kirk Landau Really?

[@jollyrodgers7272]

David, you must realize Orson was one of the most eloquent Liars of all time - war o' the worlds hoax to 'F For Fake' he was a lying gas bag!

[@kylethedalek]

@@jollyrodgers7272 Have never heard that before?

[@garysmith9389]

@@jollyrodgers7272 Yes. Good point. The incomparable genius he is and the hero he is to me we must always remember he is like he is always saying the rest of us are. Actors.

[@SuperStrik9]

Y'know that old if you could have dinner with x amount of people alive or dead who would they be question? Orson Welles would definitely be one of my picks.

[@giovanna722]

You'd have to be sure he paid for it, cause it would be a bi-i-i-ig dinner :)

[@WintersWar]

This guy has you the second he begins talking.

[@johnalcorn8079]

A very talented man great actor and director.Plus what his knowledge is endless.Sadly missed

[@kevindavies4536]

hes right about cagney,absolutely fantastic actor

[@thephilosopherofculture4559]

(7m) I use exactly the same trick with Trump supporters, Republican Party nuts and assorted moronic Americans who have been exposed to misinformation campaigns all of their lives. When they accuse me of being a socialist I always ask to define what they mean and they never do for they can't. Same for "liberal". They have no idea what they are talking about. It is just a propaganda ploy to keep America divided and subdued to huge financial interests who happen to sponsor the Republican Party, like health insurance companies. You see, paying $120 a month for health insurance with free hospital and free specialist useage is portrayed as "socialist" and that is bad, but paying over $1000 a month and then STILL having to mortgage your house to pay a hospital bill of $20000 is considered 'good' by the Republicans. It reeks of '1984' by Orson Welles. "War is peace." "Poverty is happiness." And stuff like that. America is in bad shape while it thinks it is in excellent shape because of their military and their economy.

[@garyford3533]

Government, bringing many things under its control, many industrys, steel, transport,coal,post office and many more,the true detention of socialism, it's about power and control, all ways ask an English person, I am a trump supporter.

[@hayleyava7398]

I adore this man! So charismatic, intelligent, immensely talented and a real movie star/actor.🌹

[@Alexibanezzz]

Orson Welles, what a man. Tremendous charisma, personality, wit, and charm. An old fashioned institution which isn’t with us anymore.

[@inigorodriguez8299]

"Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel" This man was way ahead of his time

[@aidan9218]

Inigo Rodriguez he was quoting Samuel Johnson I think

[@Tom-V]

Also quoted in Paths of Glory

[@philiphalpenny9761]

Often the first refuge of the scoundrel also...

[@garryferrington811]

Sam Johnson

[@tykotate9346]

A truly interesting human being, a rarity indeed in 2020.

[@TravelingTal]

As a Lover of all things Orson Wells, He was a Fascinating figure then and his wisdom still holds true to this day.

[@voicegirl555]

35 years gone today and still the leader of the pack! Orson there was no one like you! You are still so very missed and was one of the most interesting human beings on this planet! We don't have anymore interesting people anymore. A pity!!! Glad we had you!!!!

[@barbararicciuto1841]

Politicians are actors…. What would be think of the current crop of politicians?

[@jpandyaraja]

which modern Hollywood plastic 2 penny actor could match Orson...? he was a profound Genius....never sentimental always lucid

[@glamdolly30]

He is quite right about Jimmy Cagney, a wonderful actor.

[@philiphalpenny9761]

Agreed, he once claimed that Cagney was "always unreal, yet always true," which is the essence of theatre.

[@Classictv90s]

The chair that Orson Welles sits in during his interview with Michael Parkinson was borrowed from the office of the (then) BBC head of light entertainment Sir Bill Cotton.

[@dragonma69]

Wow. This interview was from 1974. If you think of what today's stars are going through, no one ever really learned from the great Mr. Welles. Much respect to this OG.

[@wally1452]

Thank you for posting such a treasure...amidst much that is not worth seeing or hearing we at times get a gem as this...thank you very much...wl

[@danielcliment8251]

God, this man was amazing.... incredible funny and humble.

[@philiphalpenny3783]

Peter Bogdanovich maintains that Orson was even more entertaining & wickedly indiscreet when the mics were switched off!

[@philiphalpenny2945]

The tragedy of Welles is that, even if he had of had the support of an infinitely wealthy patron , his films would have sunk at the box office .As an iconoclast he was romantically doomed at the outset. Orson had foreknowlege of what happened to Von Stroheim, Buster Keaton et. al. This apparent " failure " was not theirs but ours. too esoteric for mass consumption.

[@vincentsartain3061]

Keaton had few failures before MGM hogtied and hamstrung him.

[@QuadMochaMatti]

@@vincentsartain3061 that was my understanding about Keaton as well; far more successful as an independent, but once he became yet another cog in the vast corporate machine, it was never the same as before. Sell your soul for security, and watch your spirit wither away.

[@vincentsartain3061]

@@QuadMochaMatti As for Von Stroheim, he was brilliant but had no scruples about going exponentially over budget. Should have followed Chaplin's lead and built his own studio, thus becoming his own boss and not having to answer to the likes Mayer & Thalberg.

[@philiphalpenny9761]

@@vincentsartain3061 True...

[@ResistanceQuest]

What an unbelievably brilliant, kind, and articulate human being

[@Mabus16]

Interesting that he talks about "The Other Side of the Wind" as if it were just months away from release, in fact he would die ten years later having not finished it.

[@pix046]

11:09 It is hilarious the way we have to wait for him to light a huge cigar before he expounds on a point.

[@mugsspongedice679]

I saw Welles filming the opening of Touch of Evil on Windward Ave, Venice, Ca 1958. I was there. Wide eyed and in wonder of life.

[@FilmKunstKanal]

WOW! Tell us more, please… You know, that is one of the greatest shots ever…! In one interview Welles said, that they hardly managed to finish the take before sunrise...

[@Bertiesghost]

Lucky bugger

[@giavannira]

Drunk or sober it DOSENT take away the fact that he's a genius a BRILLANT talent !!!!! So sad the trash we have today !!!

[@Syklonus]

What? Who said anything about him being drunk in this video?

[@odaydrums]

He is not drunk are u?🥴

[@kenneththompson8933]

Muppet your pissed

[@timcross9815]

You are exactly correct!

[@musicfunlax1224]

Must have had quite a fatty liver at that time. You can seen it actually. Ten years later he was gone.

[@jameshutchins8965]

Orson Welles a true American progressive. I think he would have very critical opinions about both American political parties.

[@juanitolopez9731]

A wonderful raconteur, humorist, magician, writer, actor and director. A real Renaissance artist. Had Orson not lived, someone would have to invent him.

[@calho7297]

- if anyone would have had the intellect to invent Orson Welles ;D

[@raginald7mars408]

The War of the Worlds (radio drama): he was 22 years old. Haunts me since my Highschool encounter in 1970 until today....

[@johnrodgers5470]

this clip only looks dated due to Parkys suit, Orson looks stylish now, even after 40 years. Wish I knew were he got that jacket from ?

[@lindashelley3635]

John Rodgers Also because it shows two people just sitting and having an intelligent and interesting conversation. This also is an era that has passed.

[@ZachRose88]

Not to denigrate the man, but he would have been able to play a great santa claus at this point in his life.

[@lizzychrome7630]

He'd be the most badass Santa ever!

[@Retroscoop]

Always funny those sentences that start with a firm intention not to do something, and then immediately goes on doing exactly that.

[@ZachRose88]

Benoit Vanhees That doesn't apply to my sentence, idiot. Referring to him as Santa Clause wasn't meant to be an insult, hence my opening remark, which was meant literally. You know what's "always funny"? People who embarrass themselves online trying to sound "smart". Actually it's quite sad, I feel bad for you.

[@Retroscoop]

Zachary Rose You have an excellent knowledge of yourself, I couldn't have formulated that better. Idiots who call others idiots, quite pathetic.

[@ZachRose88]

Benoit Vanhees Oh my goodness, hahaha. That literally makes no sense. Just quit while you're behind. For my part, I'll stop picking on you. You're stupid enough to deserve only pity.

[@welshpete12]

What a wonderful intellect. I have to deal with people who have such narrow horizons each and everyday. Its a pleasure to hear someone, of his outstanding experience, and knowledge . I could listen to him all day ! And thank you Mister Parkinson , to have the skill to just let him talk !

[@TalkernateHistory]

Considering Mr Welles' regrets regarding his films, I wonder how he would feel about the phenomenon of directors altering their films years later with digital effects.

[@None-zc5vg]

Talkernate History The composer Bruckner was persuaded to revamp some of his early symphonies years after he'd written them, and the changes he made often spoiled things.

[@gordonm7038]

Welles gave us great art. From Kane to F for Fake he created magnificently. A true maverick!

[@charlottebuchanan3193]

Nothing sexier than an intelligent man!

[@philiphalpenny9761]

Not what Kathleen Turner says to William Hurt in Body Heat(1981) "you're not too smart. I like that in a man". Lol!

[@theophrastusbombastus1359]

And nothing more ugly than a know-it-all

[@silverdragon710]

Orson Welles is one of my favorite people.

[@UKtoUSABrit]

Could listen to Orson Welles for a long time. A true "one-of-a-kind".

[@paulbadoo9326]

Why not a President Welles in 1980? He was 4 years younger than Reagan, made much better movies (an understatement), and was way more intelligent (the understatement of the century).

[@stevedave8283]

When you're this enlightened how can you not drink yourself to death...

[@philiphalpenny9761]

Emotional isolation may have been at the root of his depressive bouts.

[@codyjames9376]

There's no glory and no excuse for drinking yourself to death. It's an ugly way to die and it hurts everyone around you. Alcohol is a thief

[@SlayerOfCunts]

"Ahhhhhhrrrgggghhh, the french champaaaaaagnie"

[@JamesClark1991]

megalol

[@boosh90]

MAH HAAAAHHHHHH THE FRENNNNCCCCHHHHHHH

[@playbackproductions1]

Finally! Hahaha

[@robbbie85]

I love when he talks about Jimmy Cagney not coming to do an interview; he did a few years later in 1982 :)

[@xfiler-gl7nc]

Lol today they would throw water on him for lighting that cigar. Or there would be protests. My how times have changed. Great interview. Wish interviews today were like this.

[@terrytay1774]

Great interview! U can't help but love the man!

[@ih302]

What in the world would he think of and say about the last four years...

[@Rhythmattica]

What a amazing interview..... Simply, Orsome.

[@StevePhillips]

Most staggering interview ever, Orson Welles was awsome. What any actor could learn from this, so interlectual, witty and interesting.

[@ruzziasht349]

intellectual

[@dwightropp3014]

However, check out his 1960 interview in Paris (produced by Ross MacLean); it may be even better than this one, if that is possible.

[@RedShirt230]

I love listening to all the old stars. They actually had something interesting to say. Not like the losers that run around wagging their finger at everything proving they are better than the rest.

[@niklar55]

I use subtitles, because of my defective hearing, and the auto-caption read ''Awesome Welles'' instead of Orson Welles, which is sort of Freudianley correct! .

[@underrsiegee6255]

Interviews sure were different back then. A lot more sophisticated and real.

[@JuanHernandez-ry9dr]

I wonder what orson would say about Trump lack of intelligence and lack of character.

[@shawngraupmann4358]

Same as he might say about Joe

[@jinig4833]

"Most politicians are actors". SO TRUE! :D

[@philiphalpenny9761]

All of us are actors Jinig. Some are professional, that's all...

[@EugeneAxe]

"Actors in the white house, mortgage on my life." --CCR