Discover Orson Welles' impact on cinema through The Cat's Meow and his influence on Hollywood's Golden Age.
Orson Welles remains one of the most influential figures in the world of cinema, shaping not just film direction but the very way stories are told through the medium. His masterpiece Citizen Kane (1941) is often hailed as the pinnacle of cinematic achievement, and its impact on filmmaking is still felt today. The complexity of Welles’s character, both as an artist and a person, is revealed through his words, actions, and decisions, and few works encapsulate this as effectively as his interviews and conversations with filmmakers like Peter Bogdanovich. One of the most striking moments in their conversations came when Welles spoke about Citizen Kane's development and the choices he made during production, one of which is closely examined in the 2001 film The Cat’s Meow by Bogdanovich.
The film offers an intriguing look into a lesser-known part of Hollywood history, focusing on an event that reportedly played a crucial role in Welles's life, yet remained untouched in Citizen Kane. Welles, in an interview, referenced a scene in the original script of Citizen Kane that was based on a scandalous moment in the life of media mogul William Randolph Hearst. This scene, according to Welles, was ultimately cut because it would have been detrimental to the film’s integrity and the character of Kane, which Welles had carefully constructed. He claimed that had he kept it in, the world would have known the identity of the person it was based on, and Hearst would have been forced to admit it was about him, a confrontation Welles wished to avoid for the sake of the film’s artistic merit.
In his conversation with Bogdanovich, Welles is open about his decision to remove this controversial scene. He reflects on how his choice kept the narrative pure and focused on what he believed was essential to Citizen Kane's vision. In his words, if he had retained the scene, he would have "bought silence for [himself] forever," alluding to the idea that such a move could have silenced any further discourse or questions about the film. The unspoken truth about the Hollywood establishment at the time—the control powerful individuals like Hearst had over media and film production—adds a layer of intrigue to Welles's decision. In many ways, Welles's refusal to compromise for the sake of avoiding conflict became a defining characteristic of his career.
The events surrounding The Cat’s Meow, a film about the untimely death of silent film director Thomas Ince, explore a similar tension between art and industry, truth and fiction. Directed by Bogdanovich and adapted from Steven Peros's play, The Cat’s Meow dramatizes a mysterious incident aboard William Randolph Hearst’s yacht, where Ince died under suspicious circumstances. Although the film portrays the scandalous world of Hollywood’s elite, it remains a work of fiction, offering a lens through which viewers can examine the complex personalities involved in the real-life drama.
Bogdanovich’s decision to shoot the film in black-and-white was meant to capture the aesthetic and feel of the silent film era, a time when visual storytelling was often at its most bold and daring. However, studio heads were not supportive of the decision, so Bogdanovich compromised by using black-and-white scenes of Ince’s funeral to open and close the film, echoing the format of vintage newsreels. The rest of the film, however, was shot in color, but costume designer Caroline de Vivaise adhered to the director’s vision by ensuring that the costumes were mostly black and white, further emphasizing the connection to that bygone era. The creative choices made by both Bogdanovich and de Vivaise were integral to achieving the atmosphere that would bring this chapter of Hollywood history to life.
Bogdanovich’s involvement in The Cat’s Meow was not limited to his directorial duties. He had a personal connection to the material, and his long relationship with Orson Welles played a key role in how the film was conceived. In fact, The Cat’s Meow exists in part as a tribute to the filmmaking spirit that Welles embodied. In their final conversation before Welles’s death, Bogdanovich recalled a moment when he expressed his regret to Welles about the many mistakes he felt he had made in his career. Welles’s response was both candid and comforting, offering a perspective that speaks to the essence of creative pursuit. "It does seem difficult to go through life without making a great many of them," Welles replied, a reminder that mistakes are an inevitable part of life and art. This exchange serves as a poignant reflection of Welles's personality: driven, uncompromising, and self-reflective.
This final conversation was a significant moment for Bogdanovich, marking the end of a chapter in both their lives. It underscores the enduring relationship between the two filmmakers and the profound influence Welles had on Bogdanovich’s work. The making of The Cat’s Meow, with its exploration of Hollywood’s golden age and the complex personalities that shaped it, is a reflection of Welles’s own contributions to cinema. In many ways, the film serves as both a celebration of Welles’s legacy and an exploration of the turbulent world he inhabited, where truth and fiction often collided in dramatic and unexpected ways.
In some respects, Welles's approach to filmmaking mirrored the world he lived in. He understood the importance of maintaining control over his vision, often fighting against the constraints of the studio system that sought to dictate the terms of his work. This sense of artistic independence is most evident in Citizen Kane, where Welles defied the norms of filmmaking by using groundbreaking techniques like deep focus, non-linear storytelling, and innovative cinematography. These choices not only elevated the film but also challenged the conventions of Hollywood storytelling.
Despite the challenges Welles faced throughout his career, including battles with Hollywood moguls and financial difficulties, his legacy endures. His ability to blend truth with fiction, his talent for storytelling, and his willingness to challenge authority all contributed to his lasting influence on cinema. Welles’s impact on the film industry is immeasurable, and his work continues to inspire new generations of filmmakers and audiences alike.
The narrative of Citizen Kane and the story of Orson Welles’s career are intertwined with the history of Hollywood itself, shaped by power, politics, and the ever-present tension between artistic expression and commercial success. Welles’s decision to remove controversial elements from his work, like the scene involving Hearst, speaks to his commitment to maintaining the integrity of his films. It is this unwavering dedication to his craft, even in the face of adversity, that has cemented his place in the pantheon of great filmmakers. His legacy lives on in the stories he told, the risks he took, and the ways in which he redefined the art of cinema.
Bogdanovich’s The Cat’s Meow is more than just a film about a historical incident; it is a tribute to the spirit of innovation and rebellion that Welles embodied. The film invites viewers to consider the complexities of Hollywood’s golden age and the individuals who made it possible. Whether through Welles’s films or through the creative endeavors of others who were influenced by him, the legacy of Orson Welles remains an indelible part of the cinematic landscape. His career may have been filled with missteps and struggles, but it is precisely these elements that make his work so rich and compelling, leaving behind a body of work that continues to captivate and inspire.
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