Orson Welles - Interview with Michael Parkinson (BBC 1974)

Imagine an Orson Welles podcast today. Holy cow.

"Any form of entertainment only exists because it corresponds with a moment in time." God, this guy is a genius.

RIP Orson Welles (May 6, 1915 – October 10, 1985), aged 70 And RIP Sir Michael Parkinson (March 28, 1935 – August 16, 2023), aged 88 You both will be remembered as legends.

I used to think he was grandiose and pretentious but he is actually a really honest ,warm, funny, down to earth, charismatic , great conversationalist and story teller . A really exceptional man. And he knew Hemingway !

I cannot get enough of this fascinating man. This is when I truly appreciate YouTube

He was, and still is " The Most Interesting Man in the World ".

So refreshing to see actual intellectualism on display. This interview was a joy.

The stories bout Hemingway are worth their weight in gold. Very enjoyable.

I love to listen to Wells. I remain spellbound by him. He is irreplaceable.

"I was hated and despised...I look back at those times [Hollywood's Golden Era] and I realized how many great people that town has destroyed since its earliest beginnings How almost everyone of merit was either destroyed or diminished. And how the few people were good survived and what a great minority they were..." Brilliantly honest. There was the heart of Orson Wells' genius. I can count on two hands the number of people throughout history I would break many years of sobriety to get drunk with. Orson is at the top of that very modest list.

I recently watched "F for Fake" after hearing Robert Anton Wilson call it the greatest film of all time.(not "Kane") The part I most enjoyed was the supplemental documentary on Orson's later years. I'm not an actor, but in his unique way he was everything I aspire to be: a true cosmopolitan man. Wordly but spiritual. Powerful but sensitive. Learned but not arrogant. Serious yet playful. Sensual but full of love. And full of humor. That kind of nuanced character is a rare thing these days. Truly a man in the old style.

I love Orson. His intellect is scattershot, but when he trains his guns he gets way, way more hits than anyone else in the arts. He's uttered more truly profound comments than the rest of Hollywood combined throughout history.

I love the way he talked

Orson Welles always communicated and expressed himself very clearly....never highfalutin....simply brilliant.

I love how, even at the size he got to, his face lights up and is so expressive when talking. Such an engaging man.

The best grasp of English ever. Wholly entertaining, simply because of his fine eloquence, not many people have this, poor those.

Don't we all miss intelligent celebrities interviewed by well-spoken, elegant tv personalities? Don't we miss a higher level of entertainment like in the old days?

Spectacular interview and Parky was told by Welles to tear up his notes and have a chat, and they did. Two geniuses at work.

TBH it's rare I've ever come across anyone who I am just in awe of. I've never encountered such a radiant person and Orson Welles is more than just a 'presence' or 'charismatic'. He's so human.

Parky was lucky to be an interviewer at a time when there was a lot of people worth interviewing.