This Is Orson Welles

This Is Orson Welles consists of extensive conversations between filmmakers Orson Welles and Peter Bogdanovich, recorded from 1969 onward. The book emerged from numerous drafts and audio recordings, with Welles himself rewriting much of the dialogue before his death. The volume includes over 300 pages of interviews covering Welles's career in theater, radio, and film, plus his perspectives on other artists' work. Film scholar Jonathan Rosenbaum edited the manuscript and added an annotated chronology of Welles's career, along with detailed notes for each chapter. A 1998 second edition features Bogdanovich's new introduction and includes Welles's previously unpublished 58-page memo about the editing of Touch of Evil. The audiobook version received a Grammy nomination for Best Spoken Word or Non-Musical Album. The book stands as a vital document of 20th-century cinema, revealing the artistic philosophy and creative process of one of America's most significant filmmakers. Through direct dialogue and personal reflection, it captures the complexities of both creating art and building a career in Hollywood's studio system.

Readers describe the book as an extended conversation that reveals Welles's personality and perspectives through his discussions with Peter Bogdanovich. Many note it provides insights into Welles's creative process and his views on Hollywood. What readers liked: - The casual, conversational tone that captures Welles's voice - Behind-the-scenes details about his films and theater work - Welles's candid commentary about other Hollywood figures - Editor Jonathan Rosenbaum's footnotes that fact-check and provide context What readers disliked: - Some found Welles evasive on certain topics - The interview format can feel scattered and unfocused - A few readers noted Bogdanovich's questions could be leading Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (50+ reviews) Reader quote: "Like sitting in a room with Welles as he tells stories from his life. The footnotes help separate fact from his occasional embellishments." - Goodreads reviewer

My Autobiography by Charlie Chaplin The parallel life story of another film auteur who revolutionized cinema during its formative years, fought against studio control, and experienced both triumph and exile.

Conversations with Wilder by Cameron Crowe A series of in-depth interviews with filmmaker Billy Wilder reveals the methods, philosophies, and experiences of a director who worked during the same Hollywood era as Welles.

The Name Above the Title by Frank Capra A firsthand account from a contemporary of Welles chronicles the transition from silent films to talkies and the golden age of Hollywood through a director's perspective.

Memo from David O. Selznick by David O. Selznick The collected notes and correspondence of a powerful Hollywood producer provide insight into the same studio system that Welles battled throughout his career.

A Life by Elia Kazan A director's memoir that examines the intersection of art, politics, and Hollywood power structures during the same period when Welles worked in the industry.

🎬 The interviews took place across multiple continents, from Yugoslavia to Beverly Hills, often conducted while Welles was working on various film projects 📻 Before his film career, Welles was a radio prodigy who directed and starred in over 100 shows by age 20, including the infamous "War of the Worlds" broadcast 🎭 Peter Bogdanovich, who conducted the interviews, began as a film critic and later became an acclaimed director himself, creating classics like "The Last Picture Show" 📝 Welles spent years revising the interview transcripts, sometimes significantly altering his original responses to better reflect how he wished to be remembered 🎥 The book includes Welles's detailed accounts of making "Citizen Kane," which he claims was not based on William Randolph Hearst, despite popular belief