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The Early Days

The Early Days

Episode number: 1

Overview: Welles discusses a timely earthquake, first-night audiences at the Gate Theatre in Dublin, and how he came to be an actor.

Critics

Critics

Episode number: 2

Overview: Welles talks about a Boston performance of Five Kings, the consequences of Percy Hammond's negative review of the Voodoo Macbeth, and a curse placed on the film It's All True.

The Police

The Police

Episode number: 3

Overview: Welles relates the story of Isaac Woodard, a decorated black World War II veteran who was blinded in a brutal 1946 beating by South Carolina police.

Houdini/John Barrymore/Voodoo Story/The People I Missed

Houdini/John Barrymore/Voodoo Story/The People I Missed

Episode number: 4

Overview: Prompts used by actors and others; remembering Harry Houdini; observations on gender differences in the appreciation of magic tricks; John Barrymore.

The War Of The Worlds

The War Of The Worlds

Episode number: 5

Overview: The famous 1938 Mercury Theatre broadcast mistaken by many listeners for a real Martian invasion, and the consequent skepticism during the presentation of Norman Corwin's Between Americans on December 7, 1941; and the opening night of the Mercury stage flop, Danton's Death.

Bullfighting

Bullfighting

Episode number: 6

Overview: Welles tells the true story of Bonito the bull. Robert Flaherty's story was partially filmed in 1942 for Welles's unfinished film, It's All True.

Postscript

Postscript

Episode number: 7