One of my favorite Orson Welles talk show appearances. Cavett does not press him to do card tricks or tell old Hollywood stories--he just let Welles read and talk. And what a complicated monologue for an actor of any age!
I've never been a massive Welles fan but what becomes very clear to me when watching this is that he was a master storyteller in every sense. And that's all that's required of a director/performer. He knew the moves. And I really like the mature way he handles the applause in the end.
Do a UA-cam search of Orson Welles James Stewart roast for a video about five minutes and forty one seconds. It's from the old Dean Martin Celebrity Roast, and Welles gives a tribute to Jimmy Stewart that is just incredible.
He was more self aware than the average. He knew how he was perceived and joked about himself in a self depreciating way. " I started at the top and worked my way down" which is pretty true. On the cover of TIME and a major radio star, consultant to the President all at 21, 22. What man of that age has the authority and power to do what he did? Incredible. But in the 70s, he was just an old guy who turned up on roasts and the Carson show.
Being a student of the bible, I have heard, and read this story many times, yet......... hearing it this time I was mesmerized by each word he spoke...... my heart was stirred as I saw the story more from Gods heart. This simple bible story taught to young kids around the word, was now holding the attention of adults of all faith, and I am sure even those without faith. An honor in deed to hear this man speak decades later.
Yeah man, I got absolutely lost. I usually listen to this stuff in the background, but I had to stop everything I was doing and mostly just focus on this
the orson welles episodes were the most pleasurable interviews i've ever come across. this is a interview, these days it all really resembles lesser forms of show and tells.
A few times in my life I have witnessed genius. Each time I realized I was blessed to see it in full display. This man had a burden. He had to know what he was capable of doing, but through his own fault, and the lack of charity by others, he had limits placed on his opportunities to display his full talent. Too bad, really we all lost out on so much that was possible. A waste.
What a voice! What an amazing story. God actually working out his feelings... in the beginning he's angry, but then he can let go of that anger to see the good in man..
"I thought for a while that maybe there'd been enough Shakespeare inflicted on talkshows." - DAMN MR WELLES sir, you're so lucky not to be alive in 2024!!!
Dear Mr Orson, in our times, the God must have loved you just as he did Noah ! How could he not ? The Supreme Father creates those like you only once in a lifetime. .......to remind us what we humans are actually capable of.
It is sad that most people under 40 will, perhaps, never experience the charm, grace and sheer genius of man like Orson Welles. I would highly recommend that they listen to the radio show he produced and narrated in 1938 on Mercury Theater, The War of the Worlds. It was broadcast on Halloween by CBS and through his powerful and convincing voice caused panic among the listeners because they actually believed that Martians had landed in New Jersey. He possessed a wonderful voice and had he been born much later, could have made millions just narrating audio books. The only other voice that is as universally recognized is James Earl Jones.
The monologue is a powerfull message about the danger of a nuclear war, and the possibility of destroying every living creature in this world "Only we can destroy it"
If he were still alive today I would hope that he would turn that offer down, because that's like selling out to the devil - and Jeff Bezos is worse than the devil.
The film (A Safe Place) was apparently pretty awful. But here Wells, in character as the old magician, is free to deliver his contribution without interference, and, as a standalone monologue, it is unexpectedly moving--partly because of his chosen text (the Rainbow Covenant from Genesis 9, the only unconditional covenant in the Tanakh, and only one that God makes with all life on earth, indeed with the earth itself) and partly because of what Welles does with it, humanizing the characters of both Noah and (strange to say) God himself, and drawing the inescapable implication at the end, that places the burden of continuing His creation, fully on the shoulders of humanity. Wonderful stuff.
He has such an amazing voice. Had he lived in the era of audiobooks he would have brought texts to life unlike any other. I have mixed feelings about audiobooks but when done by an actor who knows how to hit certain words and when to use a dramatic pause. Several audiobooks I have heard sound like HAL 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey. It puts me to sleep rather than engaging me in the narrative. I would love a recording of Welles reading Heart of Darkness. He adapted it twice for radio, failed to turn it into a film, but hearing him read the book would be amazing. The only other person I think could do it justice is Werner Herzog.
I always love Welles and I did enjoy this performance but when I was 5 I was sent to a Catholic school where the priests and nuns tried to intimidate me into accepting that every word in the Bible was true. Even at that young age, I knew enough about animals to know that the story of Noah was nothing but a ridiculous fairy tale. It made me sceptic at a young age and for that I am grateful,
i stopped breathing about a minute in and had to remind myself to start again. the man was pure genius when he took on a role. welles, freeman and james earl jones could read a prison sentence handed down in court and make it palatable. i could imagine them playing the 3 wise men heading to bethlehem.
God's preeminent vessel for vocal expression. Orson Welles could do a commercial for wart removal. Making it seem like a black tie affair!! I love how he takes that glorious voice and injects a Jewish accent into it for authenticities sake. No Actor or Narrator measured his words for impact like Orson Welles. Like a Gourmet Cooks perfect recipe. Each pinch of this and dab of that are precisely what's required. All rendered with an Aw Shucks modesty that makes it that much more endearing. Imagine had Welles done voice overs for books. GREEN EGGS AND HAM WOULD SOUND LIKE GONE WITH THE WIND!! What Marlon Brando did for Method Acting, Orson Welles did for Shakespearean style Performances. The pure, undistilled beauty of the human voice. Exactly what The ALMIGHTY intended when he endowed man with vocal cords.
He could read the telephone book and it would sound like a Shakespearean sonnet.
No one could hold an audience like Wells..........a PIN drop, you could hear during his reading......AMAZING
Yep
Goodness gracious... when he transforms into character... it took me by surprise. He was a master!
It's crazy
There's a reason Hollywood rejected this man: his intention and his ability was to elevate our culture.
One of my favorite Orson Welles talk show appearances. Cavett does not press him to do card tricks or tell old Hollywood stories--he just let Welles read and talk. And what a complicated monologue for an actor of any age!
Genius.....was there ever a better story teller....an orator of unbelievable skill
My late father said many a time as an Orator he was as great as the Greek Classicists and foremost should be regarded as an Orator
The greatest speaking voice I ever heard.
He is great. John Huston is another guy I could listen to all day.
James earl Jones as well.
Richard Burton
When he got into character, I swore I was hearing my Great Grandfather again after nearly 30 years. Absolutely amazing, absolutely amazing.
Absolutely. He wasn't Orsin. He was that old man. THAT'S acting.
I've never been a massive Welles fan but what becomes very clear to me when watching this is that he was a master storyteller in every sense. And that's all that's required of a director/performer. He knew the moves. And I really like the mature way he handles the applause in the end.
Do a UA-cam search of Orson Welles James Stewart roast for a video about five minutes and forty one seconds. It's from the old Dean Martin Celebrity Roast, and Welles gives a tribute to Jimmy Stewart that is just incredible.
I would love to hear Orson Wells read anything. His voice was amazing and he read like he was acting out a character.
He was acting out a character, a Jewish chess champion
Amazing talent- the late, great Orson Welles
He was more self aware than the average. He knew how he was perceived and joked about himself in a self depreciating way. " I started at the top and worked my way down" which is pretty true. On the cover of TIME and a major radio star, consultant to the President all at 21, 22. What man of that age has the authority and power to do what he did? Incredible. But in the 70s, he was just an old guy who turned up on roasts and the Carson show.
Amazing. Absolutely amazing. A master performer being allowed to do his thing by a master interviewer. It's a delight to watch.
Orson Welles was the embodiment of all the good things of the human spirit. Bravo.
Nice said, and enormous/overwhelming when is addressed to only one simple man ,
Being a student of the bible, I have heard, and read this story many times, yet......... hearing it this time I was mesmerized by each word he spoke...... my heart was stirred as I saw the story more from Gods heart. This simple bible story taught to young kids around the word, was now holding the attention of adults of all faith, and I am sure even those without faith. An honor in deed to hear this man speak decades later.
Yeah man, I got absolutely lost. I usually listen to this stuff in the background, but I had to stop everything I was doing and mostly just focus on this
Hearing this reading touched my heart deeply.
And yet he was a non believer. Amazing storyteller and intellectual Mr Wells was. RIP
Remarkable since Welles was agnostic later in life and the story is totally unhistorical (and is refuted by simple geology).
Wow, you are lost. Good luck living in fairy tale land, there is no other life and you have wasted at least part of yours on the bible.
I read the comments, and I'm really happy to see the return to the research on real cultural values, and Orson, whit no comments is one of its.
Just crazy great.
Can you imagine having Orson as a father or grandfather telling you bedtime stories? How awesome that would have been?
What an extraordinary talent.. A masterclass for actors!!
the orson welles episodes were the most pleasurable interviews i've ever come across. this is a interview, these days it all really resembles lesser forms of show and tells.
If you like this check out "Stories from a life in
film. " at least 2 hours, with film clips. Was Melvin Bragg I think.
Wonderful. That's not just a story. That is an important message to be heard.
There will never be another like him.
What an amazing storyteller Orson was.
I loved every second of seeing Orson Welles ! He was a unique genius.
Extraordinary. Welles' brilliance knows no bounds.
You could hear a pin drop in that place while he was reading that. Audience was transfixed!
There is neither the actor nor an audience as skilled, listened or of great respect today, as to you Sir, I salute!
First you have to Listen ...than you try to understand. Than you fell in love. Orson Welles is a Genius. Everything He does is pure entertainment.
A few times in my life I have witnessed genius. Each time I realized I was blessed to see it in full display. This man had a burden. He had to know what he was capable of doing, but through his own fault, and the lack of charity by others, he had limits placed on his opportunities to display his full talent. Too bad, really we all lost out on so much that was possible. A waste.
The greatest and most dramatic narrator of all time.
He also did some great great Directing and acting too. A true genius of cinema and drama.
He knew this by heart.
His memory was flawless. He starts off on book, and within a couple minutes he has the whole speech up and running
Orson you were EXTRAORDINARY
A most worthy presentation
Bravissimo!!
Lots of preachers would kill for that ability to hold an audience.
Welles could have made a fortune as a preacher. Instead, he applied his life to truth and art.
Eleven minutes well spent. My gratitude for Mr. Welles.
this show aired on my 10th birthday .. how much has changed
Remarkable reading. I never saw this and I have seen Orson Welles. Amazing!
Fun fact: This man was a candidate for the voice of Darth Vader.
You are correct
I don't think they could have gotten him to play the part. Orson Welles was too big for the part.
@@frusciante3499 George Lucas decided not to go ahead and ask Orson Welles to voice Vader as he believed Welles’s voice was too recognizable.
@@frusciante3499 James Earl Jones was never the man in the Vader suit he only did the voice 🤙
@@YimmyYames513 I think he meant too big as in too famous, important, like the movie would have seemed beneath him. idk.
What a brilliant reading. Spellbound.
I literally forgot what I was doing and just stopped everything and stood silent listening to this
Could you imagine any show today allowing an actor to perform a nearly 9min monologue?
This was amazing in every possible way.
Somehow, a thumbs up doesn’t seem like enough.
The only time a thumbs up is ever enuf is if it gets one a ride
EPIC delivery.
That was an exceptional monologue
This is so good. I adore this dude very much.
So much talent. The Best.
Wow wow that voice he could read anything and make it sound great.. What an interesting man bravo orson!!!! Never be anyone like that anymore.
The master hath spoken!
What a voice!
What an amazing story. God actually working out his feelings... in the beginning he's angry, but then he can let go of that anger to see the good in man..
He is mesmerising
A true renaissance man
Brilliant, extraordinary talent.
"I thought for a while that maybe there'd been enough Shakespeare inflicted on talkshows." - DAMN MR WELLES sir, you're so lucky not to be alive in 2024!!!
The film ended up being named "A Safe Place" (1971). Also has a relatively young Jack Nicholson in it. It is currently available on UA-cam 🙂
Very powerful and very moving!
Marvelous.
Liev Schreiber speaks beautifully as well.
That .... Was amazing.
The greatest genius in motion picture history and that’s that
I stood up like Citizen Kane clapping.
When Orson delivers the monologue he sounds uncannily like Czech director Milos Forman...
Dear Mr Orson,
in our times, the God must have loved you just as he did Noah !
How could he not ? The Supreme Father creates those like you only once in a lifetime. .......to remind us what we humans are actually capable of.
That was amazing!
Amazing performance!..
The ancient greeks who heard Homer sing his poems most have felt something similar to what we get to feel from seeing this masterful performance.
Effing Spectacular!
It is sad that most people under 40 will, perhaps, never experience the charm, grace and sheer genius of man like Orson Welles. I would highly recommend that they listen to the radio show he produced and narrated in 1938 on Mercury Theater, The War of the Worlds. It was broadcast on Halloween by CBS and through his powerful and convincing voice caused panic among the listeners because they actually believed that Martians had landed in New Jersey. He possessed a wonderful voice and had he been born much later, could have made millions just narrating audio books. The only other voice that is as universally recognized is James Earl Jones.
I'm from the town in NJ (Grover's Mill) where the Martians supposedly landed. Every Halloween reporters would come and write stories about it.
I'm 37 and a Welles fan. British at that. Been watching his films etc for over 10 years. His sketchbook series hooked me.
Imagine just going through the few channels around back in 1970 and hitting on this.
Dunno about you, but I'd stop dead and watch. No context needed.
Ladies and gentlemen mr. Welles was truly the most interesting man in the world. We will sell no wine before it’s time
He and Ustinov the kings of story telling and character.
Dam he as good!
The monologue is a powerfull message about the danger of a nuclear war, and the possibility of destroying every living creature in this world "Only we can destroy it"
He was awesome
Amazon would give him millions and stock options, to narrate audiobooks.
If he were still alive today I would hope that he would turn that offer down, because that's like selling out to the devil - and Jeff Bezos is worse than the devil.
He did, in fact, narrate a handful. I believe The Secret Sharer can be found on youtube
Amazin'!
The film (A Safe Place) was apparently pretty awful. But here Wells, in character as the old magician, is free to deliver his contribution without interference, and, as a standalone monologue, it is unexpectedly moving--partly because of his chosen text (the Rainbow Covenant from Genesis 9, the only unconditional covenant in the Tanakh, and only one that God makes with all life on earth, indeed with the earth itself) and partly because of what Welles does with it, humanizing the characters of both Noah and (strange to say) God himself, and drawing the inescapable implication at the end, that places the burden of continuing His creation, fully on the shoulders of humanity. Wonderful stuff.
he is an actors / ACTOR.
Now that's a quiet audience
A master of story telling
The greatest!
Wow, fantastic
He has such an amazing voice. Had he lived in the era of audiobooks he would have brought texts to life unlike any other. I have mixed feelings about audiobooks but when done by an actor who knows how to hit certain words and when to use a dramatic pause. Several audiobooks I have heard sound like HAL 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey. It puts me to sleep rather than engaging me in the narrative. I would love a recording of Welles reading Heart of Darkness. He adapted it twice for radio, failed to turn it into a film, but hearing him read the book would be amazing. The only other person I think could do it justice is Werner Herzog.
True talent and genius.
I would have given a lot to see Orson Welles to play Brando's role in The Godfather.
Brilliant !!
Marvelous !
Only we can destroy it.
***No one can or will.***
*What an arrogant statement. Only we can destroy it. No, but thats the arrogance that will do its damned well best to try*
@@MJAP123 if you wish to believe that your family, friends and loved ones are a virus go ahead, but that is certainly what I think.
Brilliance
...only we...can destroy it.
Words to live by.
Best to all,
Mr. Brown
Wonderful.
Was this guy Robin Masters on Magnum P.I?
No
@@bobkohl6779 I'm pretty sure he was.
The voice of Robin Masters, heard only in five episodes, was provided by Orson Welles.
@@TT_1221 So I'm right...as usual.
I think this is case for Columbo.
I always love Welles and I did enjoy this performance but when I was 5 I was sent to a Catholic school where the priests and nuns tried to intimidate me into accepting that every word in the Bible was true. Even at that young age, I knew enough about animals to know that the story of Noah was nothing but a ridiculous fairy tale. It made me sceptic at a young age and for that I am grateful,
i stopped breathing about a minute in and had to remind myself to start again. the man was pure genius when he took on a role. welles, freeman and james earl jones could read a prison sentence handed down in court and make it palatable. i could imagine them playing the 3 wise men heading to bethlehem.
Two Balthasars then? 😃
OW was an epic talent
Damn, he does a spot on Eastern European accent.
God's preeminent vessel for vocal expression. Orson Welles could do a commercial for wart removal. Making it seem like a black tie affair!! I love how he takes that glorious voice and injects a Jewish accent into it for authenticities sake. No Actor or Narrator measured his words for impact like Orson Welles. Like a Gourmet Cooks perfect recipe. Each pinch of this and dab of that are precisely what's required. All rendered with an Aw Shucks modesty that makes it that much more endearing. Imagine had Welles done voice overs for books. GREEN EGGS AND HAM WOULD SOUND LIKE GONE WITH THE WIND!! What Marlon Brando did for Method Acting, Orson Welles did for Shakespearean style Performances. The pure, undistilled beauty of the human voice. Exactly what The ALMIGHTY intended when he endowed man with vocal cords.
Genius, genius.
0:38 He's talking about A Safe Place with Tuesday Weld and Jack Nicholson.
Truth.
The man was a genius!
I felt as though Jesus swept through the torrent of his words to reach my soul and warn me of the ongoing Martian invasion
Imagine getting to sit down and have a glass of scotch with man. Through the night running through a bottle.
Seriously though...and despite his correct disdain for modernity...he would have shined in the long form podcast format.
Does anyone know the name of the film this was supposed to be in? I am looking up "Orson Welles chess player" and getting nothing. Was it unfinished?
A Safe Place
@@SubRosaUSA Thank you!