Orson Welles Sketchbook - Episode 4: Houdini/John Barrymore/Voodoo Story/The People I Missed

This is the fourth episode of "Orson Welles' Sketchbook" in which he discusses line-prompting in film and television as well as Harry Houdini and John Barrymore. Originally Aired: June 05, 1955.

[@123abcdef3]

His voice was one in a hundred years kind of voice. It draws you in and compels you to believe everything it says. What a legend!

[@scottnapier943]

'Harry Houdini gave me my first magic lesson when i was a boy!' I'll just let that sink in a bit!! Lol What a Legend!

[@tomservo5007]

Orson is a good storyteller and doesn't let the facts get in the way.

[@joshmay2944]

@@tomservo5007 he probably is referring to the times he got to see Houdini perform on Vaudeville growing up, which I've heard him refer to several of Houdinis performances with plenty of factual detail in the past. He always spoke very highly of Houdini as a performer.

[@jayhache5609]

@@tomservo5007 I believe you’re implying that Mr Welles is stretching the truth here, but if the houdinifile website is to be believed, "Houdini was indeed Orson Welles' first live teacher of magic”. They had two meetings, both at Chicago’s Princess Theater, the first in March of 1926.

[@jamescatneyarbuckle5390]

Welles was a true original. He's mesmerizing; I could listen to him for hours.

[@avisjohnson35]

Aq

[@johnprovince5304]

Orson was the greatest storyteller and raconteur ofthe 2oth century. He is a mesmerizing indiviual.

[@wsjacksonjr]

My favorite Orson Welles blooper on youtube---> kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3WZhZaweJV2psk

[@spockboy]

AND the 21st Century (so far at least)

[@richardsiciliano7117]

This man could discuss any topic of the world, and I'd be enthralled.

[@stardresser1]

That VOICE. Nothing like it. Thanks for this!!!

[@sharrigarvin3348]

Cartoon Pinky and the Brain. The creator is a fan

[@martinhanley9524]

Class act ! They don't make actors like this anymore , never mind directors or geniuses - beautiful tribute to John Barrymore ! Great artists all of them . ❤️👍🕊

[@theprisonerofzenda2862]

Great, Great, Great. Thank God I saw your movies.

[@Brace67]

A remarkable and gifted story teller in his own right, Orson Wells knew a litany of famous people throughout his life and had numerous and fascinating stories to relate about many of them.

[@voicegirl555]

Happy Happy Birthday Orson! You were so very talented! You should have been born sooner so that you would come along in the 70s. You would have owned Hollywood.

[@michaelknapp8961]

Every time I listen to Orson Wells I learn something more about him. What an amazing life!!! You know in the late 20s he was in Germany and was asked if he wanted to go on a hike in the mountains. A young Adolf Hitler came along. He actually met Hitler. It’s amazing he knew Harry Houdini. He seemed to have met everyone back in the day.

[@OysterPir8]

I swear, I could listen to him all day long.

[@arricammarques1955]

Orson at St. Peter's gate. Orson: Luckily, I can sneak you in. He didn't give me the list! LOL

[@N3V3RSAYD13]

theese episodes are some of the best things i have ever found on youtube.

[@Claytone-Records]

That was truly wonderful. RIP sweet prince.

[@cinexeon]

puts tears in my eyes and smile on my face at the same time....

[@kennethbrady]

He is magical.

[@KeithDec25]

Many, many thanks for this posting! I had an audio tape of his Houdini story (from an old Dick Cavett show?) Tape finally wore out Welles's ability to conjure up two great charlatans of the last century staring each other down: Rasputin and Houdini Masterful and magic storytelling...The HAMLET portion he spoke of Barrymore could be applied to Welles as well "... Good night sweet prince..."

[@ZacharyRTaylor]

Orson Welles talking about Houdini. I think that after seeing this video, I might die happy.

[@mvies77]

Simply wonderful. Thank you Mr Welles.

[@niamhryan9677]

I love this amazing man

[@scottmckague7526]

He was amazing with a full amazing life . He did fight the system and did not always win . he’s right up those with Steinbeck and Hemingway talent wish

[@jefolson6989]

The most interesting man and the ideal talk- show guest in History. And the greatest radio actor of ALL TIME. (Mutiny on the Bounty-Cambell playhouse here on KZbin is a good example)

[@MrHEC381991]

to Houdinis credit, he'd have practiced every trick in the book by then lol Awesome Welles

[@ronaldszudy8184]

Magnificent.

[@13loomisst]

Typically delightful. Thanks very much.

[@heavymetal4497]

This should be trending

[@HoudiniWild]

Sensational. Thanks.

[@PlayIt4MeAgainSam]

Brilliant upload. Many thanks for this.

[@dstuart2918]

Amazing you found this--thanks!!! KZbin--one of the miracles of technology.

[@None-zc5vg]

Those clips could have been recorded yesterday: Welles holds your attention even when he's talking about something that you'd normally have no time for.

[@dantan55]

Incredible

[@wilmetteentwistle9242]

I wish they would make a biographical movie about Mr. Welles

[@None-zc5vg]

It'd be hard to get an actor who could recreate Welles' charisma.

[@iamasickman]

I'm just shocked that there was a time when you could have someone write something in the sky for only 75 bucks.

[@squibbly_mcgrink7689]

Probably closer to $1000 today

[@k.mcc.5878]

Omg. Amazing.

[@meg2231]

isn't it weird how Orson Welles personality is almost modern

[@paulbacchus1015]

Exquisit, love it💝💝💝 Paul Bacchus esq

[@carlosandre1992]

Orson Welles actor legendary 🎭 Theatre 🎭 🚬☕🥃 Hollywood Classic 👁🎥 John Barrymore actor legendary best 🎭 Theatre 🎭 🚬🥃☕

[@edoedo8686]

Hahahahaha so funnny I never tire9 of this!!!!

[@elijahjohn401]

This is like a 50s podcast

[@Johnconno]

What a human can be if it isn't torn out of them.

[@dante224real1]

HE STOLE MY WHEAT!!!!

[@Setare.hezarshab]

❤❤❤

[@irish66]

Have you heard the Barrymore story, where for some reason, he decided to urinate in the women's toilet? A female walked in before he had completed the call of nature, and said "This is for ladies." Barrymore turned around with little Johnny or perhaps Little Big Johnny fully exposed and said "So Madam, is this."

[@QuadMochaMatti]

He had a real potty mouth. Not a pretty mouth. Wonder if he ever dropped his pants and squealed like a pig?

[@JSB1882]

That was really sweet. I doubt very much that Welles knew Barrymore - but that was a great story.

[@JSB1882]

***** I hope it's true. That's funny, but probably not because Flynn made up most of the book as a gag.

[@mwilliamshs]

They were definitely acquainted. Orson performed with John's older brother Lionel and they traveled together.

[@Marckymarc71]

It's a known fact that Barrymore and Welles were friends. Quite a few great stories from both sides on their escapades in the theatre and Hollywood years together.

[@mvies77]

Welles knew everyone of any renown and non. If you knew the details of his life you could not have made that statement. He was a child prodigy and traveled as a child throughout the world with his father and then as his fathers caretaker due to his drinking. Just a tidbit of info about this brilliant, creative, intriguing, magnificent man.

[@robo-catproductions9422]

I was hoping for the story used in "Its All True".....

[@istein8415]

♥️

[@sleepingbanshee_]

LMAO THAT INTRO SPEECH HAHAHAHHA

[@shaunf7433]

He was a genius, and con man way before he made Citizen Kane.

[@jogglethattoggle4232]

8:33 - For a second, a split second I thought the story REALLY went off the rails.

[@rosannavitale9922]

Canto artis et Orson

[@Billkwando]

Why is "Voodoo Story/The People I Missed" part of the title? Typo? It's just Houdini and Barrymore.

[@paulcarter2907]

...Flights of angels singing thee to thy rest...familiar, recently..King Charles III eulogy to mother Queen Elizabeth II...

[@johnclark4593]

Looks like Vincent D'Onofrio, sounds like Kelsey Grammer.

[@None-zc5vg]

'D'Onofrio' is right! I'd always thought he looked somewhat Wellesian with that bulk.

[@vicmclaglen1631]

I'd not really thought much of the difference in male vs female reaction to "magic" tricks, but he's certainly right. The man tends to think, "well that's interesting how'd you do it", while the woman tends to get irritated and say, "that's trash stop wasting my time".

[@OhYeah729]

At what point does he speak on voodoo?

[@sclogse1]

Rats...this freezes up after about 20 seconds...

[@SenorZorrozzz]

Why wasn’t Orson drafted in WWII?

[@jf7393]

My understanding was because he was a radio personality. He was actually conscripted in a way to do quite a bit of war correspondence and media reporting on the war effort and such. He talks about the war years quite a bit in several interviews you can watch on KZbin. I think the BBC interviews.

[@joshmay2944]

I heard it was because he had flat feet and a bad back.

[@Isaacbyrne1978]

Bad back, flat feet, and asthma.

[@casedinlight]

He's a babe. I bet he was dull as a brick in relationships, but damn he's mesmerizing on KZbin.

[@AnnaLVajda]

He doesn't seem dull at all. He would likely be the diva of the relationship though you would have to just play opposite to him in public and let him shine if he wantex is my guess. He has quite a sense of humour too. I really like him he's so entertaining.

[@AA-sn9lz]

Why do you think he must be dull as a brick?

[@casedinlight]

@@AA-sn9lz Maybe not, who really knows, but he seems way too analytical and proper to let loose and have fun. He did have three wives and a few "partners" as they say, so he must have done something right for a while with the women. Hell, I would have gone for him.

[@lauradohrtv]

Only great people recognize great others, Orson also was destroyed by less talented and addiction like Barrymore

[@BezoRazo]

Girls don't like magic? News to me!

[@raginald7mars408]

Nietzsche called this Supeer Human Über Mensch Über Natürlich

[@fenderstratADHD]

Orson is one of my favorite actors besides Liam Neeson and Denzel Washington who are successors to Orson Welles and I think are very much like Orson. Rest in Paradise Orson. :(

[@fudgemccallister3178]

JHProductions211 You bring offense to Orson's very name by comparing his acting capabilities to that of Liam Neeson and Denzel Washington, both of whom have solidified their careers primarily with action films. Maybe you should watch more cinema. I don't mean to be so sour, but I hold Orson Welles to a higher standard, if not a completely different standard of talent.

[@ormocrelief4105]

JHProductions211 One must respect another's opinion yet those two actors-whom I like as well, or any other for that matter- do not belong to Orson Welles single category where 70 years later, film schools still teach the creative use of lights and camera shown in Citizen Kane. Not only his acting, but his talent as a director, writer and story teller put him in the category of those giants who no longer exist.

[@chriscooper3117]

671JH That's like comparing two rubber bands on a shoebox to a hand-carved violin.

[@spactick]

Sounds like poor ol' Orson lived a boring, isolated life. I feel so sorry for him. Houdini, Hitler, FDR, Churchill, if he could have only come out of his introverted life and met interesting people he would have been so much more interesting to us. Oh well

[@ferabra8939]

Some of his mannerisms remind a lot of Jack Black...Or rather the other way round. When he goes into irony mode, or certain naughty boy faces.

[@alilruthlessify]

This is awfully boring.

[@mjm5081]

❤