Orson Welles: The Untold Truth Behind a Hollywood Genius

Orson Welles, renowned for his groundbreaking film Citizen Kane, is often seen as one of the greatest filmmakers in cinema history. However, his career, filled with remarkable achievements and deep personal struggles, paints a picture of a man caught between artistic brilliance and Hollywood’s relentless forces. For decades, Welles was misunderstood, his genius overshadowed by his clashes with the film industry and political entities. Recently, his daughter, Beatrice Wells, uncovered a trove of private documents revealing startling truths about her father’s life, providing a new perspective on the man behind the legend.

Early Life and Struggles

Born on May 6, 1915, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Orson Welles came from a family that, despite financial success, was filled with emotional turbulence. His father, Richard, was an inventor who gained wealth through creating a bicycle lamp, while his mother, Beatrice, was a talented pianist with a deep love for music. Welles’ early years, however, were marked by hardship. His older brother, Dicky, had learning difficulties and was institutionalized, making young Orson the center of attention, which created a pressure he would carry throughout his life.

When Orson was six, his parents separated, and he moved with his mother to Chicago, where he was introduced to the world of art, music, and theater. A family friend, Dr. Maurice Bernstein, became an important figure in Orson’s life, though rumors about his relationship with Beatrice lingered. Tragically, at the age of nine, Orson lost his mother to hepatitis, a loss that deeply affected him. The void left by her death would be a constant presence throughout his life, influencing much of his work and his views on memory and loss.

A Gifted but Tragic Childhood

After his mother’s death, Orson lived with his father and Dr. Bernstein, but his father’s alcoholism and deteriorating health made life difficult. At just 15, Orson’s father passed away, and Orson carried the guilt of refusing to see him during his final days, unless he quit drinking. The tragedy of this event would haunt him for years.

Despite these personal hardships, Welles showed remarkable talent. He was musically inclined, excelling in piano and violin, and also had a passion for drawing. But his true love was acting. At just 16, he traveled to Dublin, Ireland, where he landed his first big acting role after boldly claiming to be a Broadway actor. His time in Dublin and later travels through Europe, Morocco, and Spain, shaped his artistic vision and prepared him for the groundbreaking work that would follow.

The Birth of an Icon

In 1936, at the age of 20, Orson Welles staged a legendary production of Macbeth, set in the Caribbean and featuring an all-Black cast. The play, titled Voodoo Macbeth, was a massive success and ran for 10 weeks in Harlem. It was a significant cultural achievement, highlighting African-American talent in a way that had never been seen before in mainstream theater.

By 1937, Welles co-founded the Mercury Theater with John Houseman, where his innovative approach to theater continued to push boundaries. His direction of Julius Caesar was a radical reimagining, set in fascist Italy, which made powerful political statements about the rise of fascism. It was a critical success and established Welles as a force to be reckoned with in theater.

Radio Fame and the War of the Worlds

In 1938, Welles made radio history with The War of the Worlds, a live broadcast that caused widespread panic among listeners who believed the fictional alien invasion to be real. The broadcast’s realism was so convincing that it led to public outcry, but it also solidified Welles’ status as a master storyteller.

Hollywood: Triumph and Tragedy

At just 24, Welles signed an unprecedented contract with RKO Pictures, which gave him complete creative control over his films. This level of autonomy was unheard of in Hollywood at the time, but it was also a double-edged sword. Welles was able to direct, write, produce, and act in his films, starting with Citizen Kane in 1941. Though the film received only modest box office success initially, it would eventually be regarded as the greatest film ever made, thanks to its innovative cinematography, narrative structure, and themes of power and corruption.

But Hollywood did not embrace Welles. The film Citizen Kane was widely believed to be based on media mogul William Randolph Hearst, leading to a bitter feud between the two men. Hearst used his influence to suppress the film’s release, pressuring theaters not to show it, and even offering to pay RKO to destroy all copies. The controversy surrounding Citizen Kane was just the beginning of Welles’ ongoing battles with the film industry.

The Battle with the Studios

Despite the success of Citizen Kane, Welles’ subsequent projects were marred by interference from Hollywood studios. His second film, The Magnificent Ambersons, was drastically altered by the studio, which cut over 40 minutes and changed the ending. Welles, devastated by this betrayal, later said, “They destroyed Ambersons, and it’s all true, they destroyed me.” This marked the beginning of a long period of frustration for Welles, as studios continued to take control of his projects.

Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Welles was often caught in a cycle of starting films that were either abandoned or heavily edited. The Lady from Shanghai (1947) and Touch of Evil (1958) are two prime examples of films that were tampered with by studios. Yet, even with these setbacks, Welles remained determined to create films on his own terms, moving to Europe in the 1950s to escape the Hollywood system.

The FBI and Political Persecution

Orson Welles’ political beliefs also contributed to his downfall in Hollywood. His outspoken support for civil rights and his radio dramas on social issues made him a target during the Red Scare. The FBI began investigating him in 1941, and for 15 years, they monitored his every move, compiling a file over 200 pages long. Welles was accused of having communist sympathies, though no real evidence ever substantiated these claims. The government’s surveillance of Welles severely damaged his reputation and played a role in his decision to leave Hollywood for Europe in 1948.

Later Years and Final Works

In Europe, Welles continued to act and direct, but the financial struggles that had plagued him in Hollywood followed him. Despite this, he completed several noteworthy films, including Chimes at Midnight (1965), which he considered his greatest work. However, many of his projects, like Don Quixote and The Other Side of the Wind, remained unfinished due to legal and financial issues.

Even as he aged, Welles continued to pursue his vision, working on numerous projects, some of which he knew would never be completed. His ability to adapt, innovate, and continue working, despite constant adversity, is a testament to his resilience as an artist.

Legacy

Orson Welles’ life was filled with drama, both on and off-screen. His early marriage to Virginia Nicholson ended in divorce, followed by tumultuous relationships with actresses Rita Hayworth and Paola Mori. But despite these personal challenges and the constant interference from the Hollywood system, Welles left behind an unparalleled legacy in cinema.

His films, particularly Citizen Kane, continue to inspire filmmakers and film lovers around the world. Welles was a true pioneer, a filmmaker who refused to compromise his vision, even when the world around him seemed determined to tear him down. His life, as dramatic and tragic as it was, cemented his place as one of the most brilliant and unconventional minds in film history.