Orson Welles on performers working an audience (1979)

Wells theories on how performers win over an audience

[@LesterPruitt]

I am in total awe of this man. So brilliant with an unpretentious, down to earth quality.

[@swolltits3927]

That's funny because I would never use unpretentious to describe him. I acknowledge he was a man of contradictions and was many things to many different people. But I cant help but see him as pretentious in the best way.

[@kennethbrady]

Kids...THIS is what a titan looks like. LOVE you Orson.

[@michaeljayklein500]

"Your cake gets moist and all your troubles are over". I truly cannot think of anybody more fascinating, more outrageously witty, and more (sometimes painfully) insightful than Orson Welles (well, Groucho ranks up there too in my estimation). It makes me wish there were 20 million miles of his thoughts recorded on tape. Thanks for sharing this!

[@TheDisinterestedSpectator]

You might be interested in reading his published interviews with Peter Bogdanovich: _This is Orson Welles_ (Da Capo 1998).

[@spinoz2319]

Oscar Wilde?

[@Anna.Lippert]

@@spinoz2319 Indeed ― absolutely ― as well Oscar Wilde...

[@bobstevens3265]

@@TheDisinterestedSpectator unfortunately it includes Peter Bogdanovich

[@sandrashevey8252]

She was gobsmacked..could barely regain her composure!

[@ricarleite]

I could hear Orson Welles speak for hours

[@jebidiahkorn]

he speaks for four

[@ericad8616]

Sometimes the word "brilliant" tends to be overused when describing celebrities, but it's the perfect word to describe Orson Welles. He was a brilliant filmmaker, brilliant speaker, brilliant storyteller. The world is poorer and a little less interesting with him no longer in it.

[@lennyjackson7467]

Brilliant! Genius!! Greatest speaking voice of all time.

[@richardmcleod5967]

As usual, Orson Welles makes statements in this interview that will remain with you for the rest of your life. He was somewhat saddened by the changes happening in the World today, and that included Nations, cultures, cities all over the World that have lost or are losing their identity. He once stated that Madrid, Spain was one of the last cities on the face of the Earth to still have some of its' unique qualities. But, he later commented that sadly that unique quality even in Madrid was also losing its' identity. I don't think Orson Welles would be very happy with the World today because of the Internet and computer as they have aided heavily to this tremendous loss of identity with individuals and cultures today. It is all becoming the same, with fewer and fewer unique cultural qualities.

[@michaeljames4904]

Central Madrid even today is like stepping back into all the ancient European capitals that were wiped away by time, because Spain’s neutrality during WWII meant it was rare among all those most historic of cities not to have a large part of itself levelled to rubble from the air. You’re so right though, Welles’s remark decrying the moon landing was a case in point. He felt that our doing so had permanent robbed that celestial pale night orb of the mystery and enchantment it had held for all time for all of humanity.

[@richardmcleod5967]

@@michaeljames4904 I don't think Orson Welles would be very happy in this World we live in today. Even at the time of his death, there was a sadness he oftentimes expressed in his interviews expressing how he felt towards the fast changing World we find ourselves in today. Not necessarily that it is changing (as change of some sort always happens) but that it was all becoming the same. A World that is losing its' unique cultural qualities and even losing specific vocal qualities and certainly traditions that once defined one cultural group from another one. Maybe that is what the term "Globalism" really means? I guess it would be a good idea to visit Madrid Spain from what both you and Orson Welles have said about that now unique city amongst the Capitals and cultures of the World. For the others (even Madrid), they are now meshing together and all losing their individual identities with MacDonald's Restaurant seeming to be one of the most commonly seen sights around the World today. Some people would think that to be good, but to me it is a sad loss of the uniqueness in different places we once knew (and not so long ago) on this Planet we live. Previously there was a color and spice amongst the various cultures of the World whereas today the World is becoming colorless and lacking individual identities.

[@michaeljames4904]

Richard McLeod It’s true that twenty years ago Dublin was much the same for identical reasons of wartime neutrality but its central skyline has since been robbed of its former authenticity by globomodernist architecture. I know just how the old raconteur felt, so very much, but as he died I think close to the arms of a model something like thirty years his junior I shan’t pity him too much. 😉

[@richardmcleod5967]

Orson Welles states in several of his many interviews that he was "Old-Fashioned" and liked "Old Fashioned" ideas and the way traditions and world views were in previous years.

[@michaeljames4904]

Juli Kidman I think this was Uncle’s view, no?

[@Flickchaser]

Nobody could maintain control in an interview with Orson Welles unless he allowed. He takes the lead from Dinah with precision and polish. A legendary powerhouse. With monumental talent and presence. When that bass baritone voice takes command, with his trained inflection and nuance your attention is captured and held in an dramatic embrace, awaiting the next spoken word while following the thought and feeling the deep vocal resonance of a master at work.

[@Billkwando]

Nobody can interrupt Orson Welles! He would make Howard Stern's head explode in an interview.

[@MikehMike01]

you writing a fanfic

[@davidbeddoe6670]

Cocaine is a powerful drug.

[@FormulaVase-kp3dc]

Orson was predicting the future of talk shows all the way back in 1979.

[@robertortiz-wilson1588]

Yep.

[@TheouAegis]

"Most of the people laughing on that box died long ago." That made me but out laughing. The good actors are all gone -- the charismatic voice is practically no more. RIP Master Welles.

[@jeffmotsinger8203]

He didn't talk about it, he demonstrated it!

[@jeffstone2136]

The most amazing thing about Welles was how modest he was. How polite. if anyone could afford to show off as little bit, it was him, but he never did.

[@waynej2608]

Very true. He was a real class act.

[@PabluchoViision]

He pulled off a contradiction not unlike the one he described Johnny Carson as managing so brilliantly (coming off as the smartest guy in the room, but also the modest boy next door). I think Orson's trick may have been to embody this emperor (his word for Sinatra) figure exuding an air of mastery and command, while at the same time, not perhaps the boy next door, but a kindly and beloved uncle.

[@CurtisWaltermire]

I've always been a fan of Orson since my youth, and love these old interviews. I've made my living for a long time entertaining LIVE audiences, and what he said back then is even truer now (if that's possible) than ever before. Genuine, LIVE audiences are a dying breed. Even for me, live audiences aren't what they used to be even back in the 1980s when I first started performing professionally. I've never really had to worry about "fake" audiences such as the TV studio audiences that he's describing, but live, paying audiences' expectations have changed drastically. Everything is compared to what people see on internet video, TV, etc., often without the slightest realization that such things are totally contrived. Reality TV isn't "REAL" at all (and I have been involved in TV enough over the years to know this to be true). I had a man say to me one time (he was being playful and fun, mind you, and not critical) "Who the hell do you think you are, David Blaine?" To which I replied "I was doing this stuff when David Blaine was a schoolboy." I love the challenge of a real, live, thinking audience and since the dynamic is ever-changing, it makes things still fresh and exciting for me even after 30 years in the business. TV fame and other fame comes and goes, but the performer who can engage and work live audiences well will always find gainful employment, regardless of how famous he may or may not be..

[@briant2140]

Orson delivers again. He had a way of getting to the essence of a subject and laying it bare for all to see.

[@AengusFallon]

I'd have given anything to meet with this man and hear his opinions on any subject. The cinema lost its greatest creative genius when he died.

[@darkangelzephyron]

2:57 "and you know that most of the people laughing on that box died long ago". PRICELESS!!

[@bernardguynunns5658]

Laughing out of the box from the grave, that's you now Orson!

[@JSTNtheWZRD]

Except for the mad assassin

[@csfan65]

Orson Welles was a genius, in every sense of the word.

[@lvolendrungl3362]

He looked and sounded so full of life yet died 5 years later, life is crazy.

[@bobstevens3265]

a lot happens in 5 years; one can go from young to middle aged, or from middle aged to old. And perhaps if u are lucky, in rare cases vice-versa, at least for a little while

[@vidiegoquam]

"Your cake gets moist and all your troubles are over!" Unknown aspects of brilliance from this man.

[@KennethConyers]

Hard to believe these two were less then a year apart in age.

[@Vingul]

whaat

[@SteVin89]

Listen to that voice, it's wonderful.

[@zmani4379]

Incredible, the way he outlines this topic - my head was spinning - the idea of what an audience really is - an independent entity waiting to be pleased - a beast out there in the dark waiting to pounce - and how the performer woos or dominates

[@james5460]

When Orson was going through those commercials, I was hoping that Dinah would chip in, "and like when someone says that they will serve no wine before its time!"

[@rickdynes]

sell

[@lindashelley3635]

This was fascinating and I would love to have heard more of Mr. Welles' theory.

[@sclogse1]

@Corvastus It was still her show...and she was always a pro. SHe simply knew she had a show to take care of at the same time.

[@moranih]

Absolute genius

[@Zopf-international]

Dinah is absolutely delightful. Orson is again the celestial Orson Welles.

[@fredgarvinMP]

This is awesome. As relevant today as in 1979. Dinah was getting a little uncomfortable when he was revealing the man behind the curtain and I'm sure the producers in the booth were losiing their shit.

[@allstarmark12345]

Damn straight! She’s cringing and trying to hustle this rant

[@DINOLOVER6717]

The only real audience by his account is the audience in comedy clubs. It’s true. You don’t hear any of the things he mentioned. We all know about canned laughter etc etc. I wish Orson was alive today; what a mind. I wish there were more talks of his available to us. Sheer brilliance

[@ER1CwC]

Audiences still exist in some places. For example, if you are performing at La Scala (the opera house in Milan) and the hard core fans don’t like you, they’ll let you have it. I was at a performance where they booed the tenor and the production team for a good ten-fifteen minutes. Likewise, British audiences can be icy. But audiences don’t exist in America anymore, since standing ovations are practically a reflex at this point. I would be interested in what he would have to say about that.

[@NextScamdemic]

What a fascinating opinion - and to think this was on mainstream TV. Today, he wouldn't have been allowed to keep talking that long-the host would have cut him off. And props to Shore for asking intelligent questions, eliciting more great thoughts from Welles.

[@truthiseverything9511]

Brilliant. Orson Wells was a true master.

[@dmontes133]

So brilliant and ahead of his time! Some who deserves the description of genius!

[@dougchatman821]

I'll never forget Orson Welles being on Merv's show and talking about the current music. He said something I would love to hear again, on how today's music was just a few words played on a short loop over and over again. Just a repetition of sound with no story telling. It was said in away that was so true , but I'd love to hear how he exactly said that , because it was so true.

[@CraigWeinstein]

I agree with you. She wasn't being blown over by any means-- she wanted to listen to what he had to say. And it is very good wisdom for any performer to hear. What he is talking about is something you have to OWN, pure and simple. From there you are only limited by your appearance and vocal cadence-- and even if you don't have a booming presence like Welles' you can still "own" or "seduce" in other ways. Welles was quite an amazing man.

[@solidmotion]

What an entertaining and thought provoking clip. Thanks for sharing!

[@MichaelSHartman]

An intelligent person who could perform so believablely, and direct so well that he could convince a nation into panic that an absurd possibility was happening all within a half hour.

[@martinhanley9524]

Genius

[@topnotch4564]

Preach Orson.

[@williameason5795]

Rosebudd. Rosebudd

[@donclark4685]

Such a Bright and Entertaining man. I miss him.

[@madelinethomasian9156]

No one like him anymore he's so articulate knowledgeable well versed I didnt know he was the voice of the SHADOW many Many years ago.

[@gopherstate777]

Because he was so many things and most people have trouble being anything!

[@MrHEC381991]

Spot on.

[@LenHummelChannel]

Orson was actually lamenting the passage [or 'virtual extinction'] of the critical REAL and demanding audience. ... and he was, of course, right. he was a genius at his craft. and a very honest man, ... even when he was lying or embellishing every word.

[@NakedTongues]

come on you all Dinah was a class act Burt was a fool to give her up for Lonnie whatshername

[@fredgarvinMP]

She's prettier than Loni Anderson too.

[@MrRazorblade999]

That charisma. He eats up everything in a room with his presence. I'm surprised the audience had air to breath at all.

[@JimMarshall57]

The Great GREAT Awesome Wells!

[@clintcalvert9250]

It’s why preachers seem so fake. They’re not themselves. They’re trying to get something from an audience. You must give a gift to the audience.

[@alfandeddie]

What an erudite cat!

[@bh5606]

Great....

[@mightyxo]

BRAVO, sir! So wonderfully observed and explained.

[@sumofann1713]

awesome to watch a master. thanks for posting.

[@baronzaebos8888]

I would say the most charismatic man of the 20th century.

[@guinnesstrail]

Pound for pound, America's greatest dictor.

[@gopherstate777]

Ounce per ounce a spelling whiz!

[@theflorgeormix]

U love Orson. Great voice...very Hollywood. He always shared his heart

[@dtzjones7632]

The great man's right 🤗

[@mattkprovideo]

He didnt let Dinah get a word in edgewise

[@kiwitrainguy]

I found her interruptions annoying.

[@choatelodge]

Look at Dinah, forcing that smile and doing exactly what Orson is talking about... and he knows it as he speaks! She obviously didn't know how far Orson intended to go with his allusion and the more uncomfortable and out of her control the situation, the bigger the strained leer she pastes onto her mug. Then Welles calms the waters as he proceeds with the interview at HIS pace, so that she never resents nor seems to realize she has become the sidekick on her own show. Orson the master.

[@johnheart6890]

Such insightful comments. No doubt these comments are still essentially true. Actors have to know about this relationship with an audience or they lose or fail. Still, the internet has altered the audience even further- audiences are so different now compared to the days of Dinah’s show. I wonder what Orson would think of KZbin? To be honest, I kind of miss the kind of show business that Dinah and Orson performed. There was more dignity for the artists in those days than there is now. Ah, time…..

[@LorenzoCarbonaramusic]

I love this man!

[@TheJabberwock]

Did you see how that lady lit up when he said he word "raped"?

[@Jude107c]

This guy is a GENIUS! PURE GENIUS!

[@darrencarter]

Fantastic!

[@vicmclaglen1631]

I tend to get in a lot of trouble now for speaking the truth in such a way as this.

[@bobstevens3265]

It was ever thus. No doubt u get accused of being "opinionated". But isn't everyone?

[@CinemaDave]

Welcome to cyberspace, I'm lost in the fog everything's digital I'm still analog when something goes wrong I don't have a clue sign on with high speed you don't have to wait sit there for days and vegetate I access my email, read all my spam, I'm an analog man. the whole world's living in a digital dream it's not really there it's all on the screen makes me forget who I am by Joe Walsh

[@RedcoatsReturn]

Profound and deep thinking to the end!

[@krod1369]

2:55 gives me chilles every time!

[@glennorange]

Every theatre person should watch this!

[@monsieurhassan]

He;s absolutely right, . .. sincerity is engendered in the people when they actually pay for something . . . they take it more seriously then

[@bandiit17]

Orson Welles was never interviewed.

[@RaphaelAnthony]

I think he was referring to the world of vaudeville, but boy wild love to hear his take on what TikTok is. Strangers getting attention from other strangers

[@thehouseofcm]

So ahead of his Time we are living in the moment that the audience is disappearing with some exceptions (Movies and performances on a stage seem 2 be immune). What a brilliant man his peers must have hated him so much that was sabotaged from making movies.

[@PatrickLeeRyan]

Spellbinding. As always. Brilliant.

[@HS22181]

Oh ya, I'm all about the happy ending. Love me long time please.

[@RH3D]

he is awesome.

[@pendafen7405]

the shaaaaaaade at Sinatra I love it King

[@eslubin]

@doctornoooo surely you jest. loni was the best

[@yb1711]

What a total badass

[@pandaeyes42]

AAAH, THE PERFORMERS!!!

[@emmanuelgilliot6128]

A genius ! The only one !

[@drewpowers7236]

As he was mid talking about the audience being a beast and you need to seduce it or it needs to be tamed or raped etc...her eyes lit up and she was about to exclaim "how exciting!" At that moment Orsen could of taken her right there on live TV. Legend!!!

[@gopherstate777]

I love this comment!

[@michaelboyce9373]

What a shame Hearst did his career in!

[@chrisstone6078]

so true! hard facts!

[@SnowGiant.9]

Brilliant 🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺

[@TheDisinterestedSpectator]

2:59-3:06 - Priceless.

[@robertortiz-wilson1588]

This guy is so awesome!

[@musicom67]

@Flickchaser Unless you're Paul Masson - wine, that is!

[@scorsese1]

Genius

[@Igor-ps5cd]

Brilliant mind

[@ricarleite]

GENIUS

[@napndash]

Dinah who?

[@sclogse1]

Jaqueline Bisset..man...that gal is so fine. That of course, means, that Orson and she got to say hello. She showed up in my neighborhood..here in S.F. on 16th St. at the Roxie theatre...took some shots outside. And orson, was always a fan of the world.

[@LitchAustin]

I suspect that part of why stand-up comics have been such particular centers of creative brilliance over the last few decades is because they were one of the few performers who regularly faced a Welles "Audience". However even that ethic of audience is fading, fairly often even a bad comic will be treated politely these days. In fact one of the few place we see real occasional hostile audiences is right here. KZbin is the last flower of critical audiences, not just a handful of people scattered all across the country, but handfuls on handfuls, tiered up together on line to jeer and throw vitual brickbats and rotten fruit.

[@EricFontenot]

This is a great share. Thank you, R. Michael Litchfield. I do agree with ***** to a point. A lot of the KZbin audience really are yelling at each other. It's more like an out of control Jerry Springer episode where one member stands up to make a point and the rest of the group pounces on them to illustrate how terribly they utilize the word "the" in their synopsis of the situation presented to them.

[@ericvalenzuela4708]

+R. Michael Litchfield You're not a bad philosopher of media. Are you familiar with Marshal McLuhan?

[@LitchAustin]

Thank you, I have read some of his stuff, but I think he's gotten kind of dated.

[@brettrosenberg]

he really blew some minds here

[@mvies77]

Correction on comment below. Stupid iPhone spell check! It is supposed to say, Orson was a genius and knew it!

[@eslubin]

visionary words by welles. there is no audience today, we're all on stage here on youtube

[@krackheadkola]

@choatelodge this is exactly , the replica of my thoughts during the clip. nicely writen

[@eslubin]

@choatelodge maybe if he didn't do that his career would have flourished

[@PabluchoViision]

What a joy, the only rain cloud being brevity. Welles is a commanding presence, fascinating, insightful, witty, and entertaining. Dinah is absolutely lovely (can't get enough of her little old fashioned Southernisms, when Orson says something outrageous, she'll give a little "Good heavens!" or some such), not just beautiful but smart, perceptive, with a lovely demeanor. Enchanting!

[@clydenolet736]

I really like the tenor approach. Like vaudville strongman acts.. You made sure to have fat handles or unique objects to keep any spectator from having his moment.

[@justbeyondthecornerproduct3540]

Is it just me or does the laugh after the line "most of the people that laughed died long ago" sound.... Really old? Sounds like a joke from the editors to me 😂