Orson Welles Quotes

A collection of quotes by Orson Welles.

Orson Welles (1915-1985) was an American actor, filmmaker, and theatre director who remains one of the most influential figures in the history of cinema. He was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and began his career as a prodigious talent in the arts from an early age. At 23, Welles made theatrical history with his groundbreaking adaptation of Shakespeare's "Macbeth," a project that established his reputation as a theatrical genius.

In 1938, he caused a sensation with his radio adaptation of H.G. Wells' "The War of the Worlds," which famously was reported to have panicked listeners who believed it to be a real alien invasion. This incident propelled Welles to national fame and led to his signing with RKO Pictures, producing and directing his first feature film, "Citizen Kane", considered one of the greatest films of all time. Welles's innovative style of using deep focus shots, layered narratives, and unconventional storytelling techniques revolutionized filmmaking.

Throughout his career, Welles was known for his versatility, directing and acting in numerous films, including "The Magnificent Ambersons," "Touch of Evil," and "The Trial." However, financial troubles and creative clashes with studios often resulted in compromised projects. Despite these challenges, his legacy as a visionary filmmaker and his unique contributions to the art of cinema continued to inspire generations of filmmakers.

Orson Welles's impact extended beyond cinema, as he left an indelible mark on the theatre, radio, and television industry. His masterful storytelling techniques, unparalleled creativity, and willingness to push artistic boundaries remain an enduring testament to his artistic genius.

If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on wher

If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story.

My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four.

My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four. Unless there are three other people.

I have a great love and respect for religion, great love and

I have a great love and respect for religion, great love and respect for atheism. What I hate is agnosticism, people who do not choose.

A film is never really good unless the camera is an eye in t

A film is never really good unless the camera is an eye in the head of a poet.

I don't pray because I don't want to bore God.

I don't pray because I don't want to bore God.

Now I'm an old Christmas tree, the roots of which have died.

Now I'm an old Christmas tree, the roots of which have died. They just come along and while the little needles fall off me replace them with medallions.

The enemy of society is middle class and the enemy of life i

The enemy of society is middle class and the enemy of life is middle age.

If there hadn't been women we'd still be squatting in a cave

If there hadn't been women we'd still be squatting in a cave eating raw meat, because we made civilization in order to impress our girlfriends.

I have the terrible feeling that, because I am wearing a whi

I have the terrible feeling that, because I am wearing a white beard and am sitting in the back of the theatre, you expect me to tell you the truth about something. These are the cheap seats, not Mount Sinai.

Did you ever stop to think why cops are always famous for be

Did you ever stop to think why cops are always famous for being dumb? Simple. Because they don't have to be anything else.

The ideal American type is perfectly expressed by the Protes

The ideal American type is perfectly expressed by the Protestant, individualist, anti-conformist, and this is the type that is in the process of disappearing. In reality there are few left.

A film is never really any good unless the camera is an eye

A film is never really any good unless the camera is an eye in the head of a poet.

Film / Filmmaking / Movies

I think we're a kind of desperation. We're sort of a maddeni

I think we're a kind of desperation. We're sort of a maddening luxury. The basic and essential human is the woman, and all that we're doing is trying to brighten up the place. That's why all the birds who belong to our sex have prettier feathers -- because males have got to try and justify their existence.

The laws and the stage, both are a form of exhibitionism.

The laws and the stage, both are a form of exhibitionism.

When you are down and out something always turns up -- and i

When you are down and out something always turns up -- and it is usually the noses of your friends.

The essential is to excite the spectators. If that means pla

The essential is to excite the spectators. If that means playing Hamlet on a flying trapeze or in an aquarium, you do it.

Hollywood is the only industry, even taking in soup companie

Hollywood is the only industry, even taking in soup companies, which does not have laboratories for the purpose of experimentation.

I hate it when people pray on the screen. It's not because I

I hate it when people pray on the screen. It's not because I hate praying, but whenever I see an actor fold his hands and look up in the spotlight, I'm lost. There's only one other thing in the movies I hate as much, and that's sex. You just can't get in bed or pray to God and convince me on the screen.

Every actor in his heart believes everything bad that's prin

Every actor in his heart believes everything bad that's printed about him.

Only very intelligent people don't wish they were in politic

Only very intelligent people don't wish they were in politics, and I'm dumb enough to want to be in there.