Orson Welles' Sketch Book (1955)
Season 1 Episode 4: Houdini/John Barrymore
Orson Welles made a six-episode television series for the BBC, which basically has him playing storyteller. Through the six episodes we see him sitting in a chair where that terrific voice of his just speaks to the viewer as if you were sitting right next to him. The subject changed throughout the series but all the stories center around Welles' life and for the visuals of television we're given sketches that the legendary filmmaker drew.
Episode four takes a look at a story Welles' likes to tell about Harry Houdini and a magic trick involving a plane and some writing in the clouds. He also tells a story of a time he was sitting in The Brown Derby with John Barrymore and others. In the story, Barrymore is drunk and telling a rather obscene story and a husband rejected to his wife hearing it. I won't ruin the story but it is quite funny. Once again this is basically Welles playing storyteller and there's no question that both stories are quite good but that the Barrymore one is just classic. That wonderful voice certainly sells the story and if you're a fan of Barrymore you can't help but picture this event and laugh.
Episode: A
Season 1 Episode 4: Houdini/John Barrymore
Orson Welles made a six-episode television series for the BBC, which basically has him playing storyteller. Through the six episodes we see him sitting in a chair where that terrific voice of his just speaks to the viewer as if you were sitting right next to him. The subject changed throughout the series but all the stories center around Welles' life and for the visuals of television we're given sketches that the legendary filmmaker drew.
Episode four takes a look at a story Welles' likes to tell about Harry Houdini and a magic trick involving a plane and some writing in the clouds. He also tells a story of a time he was sitting in The Brown Derby with John Barrymore and others. In the story, Barrymore is drunk and telling a rather obscene story and a husband rejected to his wife hearing it. I won't ruin the story but it is quite funny. Once again this is basically Welles playing storyteller and there's no question that both stories are quite good but that the Barrymore one is just classic. That wonderful voice certainly sells the story and if you're a fan of Barrymore you can't help but picture this event and laugh.
Episode: A
