More than 40 years (and sevÂen presÂiÂdenÂtial adminÂisÂtraÂtions) have passed since Orson Welles narÂratÂed FreeÂdom RivÂer. And although the aniÂmaÂtion shows some age, the paraÂble, a comÂmenÂtary on the role of wealth and race in AmerÂiÂca, still resÂonates today. Or, at least I susÂpect many viewÂers will think so.
The backÂstoÂry behind the film deserves a litÂtle menÂtion. AccordÂing to Joseph CavelÂla, a writer for the film:
For sevÂerÂal years, BosusÂtow ProÂducÂtions had asked Orson Welles, then livÂing in Paris, to narÂrate one of their films. He nevÂer respondÂed. When I finÂished the FreeÂdom RivÂer script, we sent it to him togethÂer with a portable reel to reel tape recorder and a sizÂable check and crossed our finÂgers. He was either desÂperÂate for monÂey or (I would rather believe) someÂthing in it touched him because two weeks latÂer we got the reel back with the narÂraÂtion word for word and we were on our way.
And now anothÂer Orson Welles bonus. Tonight, we stumÂbled upon Welles’ 1937 radio dramaÂtiÂzaÂtion of VicÂtor Hugo’s clasÂsic novÂel, Les MisÂĂ©rables. You can stream/download recordÂings at the InterÂnet Archive, or find it listÂed in our Free Audio Books colÂlecÂtion. A preÂviÂous Open CulÂture post points you to othÂer vinÂtage Welles radio recordÂings (includÂing his famous 1938 “War of the Worlds” broadÂcast) right here.
For more free films, visÂit our mega list of Free Movies Online.
FolÂlow Open CulÂture on FaceÂbook and TwitÂter and share intelÂliÂgent media with your friends. Or betÂter yet, sign up for our daiÂly email and get a daiÂly dose of Open CulÂture in your inbox. And if you want to make sure that our posts defÂiÂniteÂly appear in your FaceÂbook newsÂfeed, just folÂlow these simÂple steps.
RelatÂed ConÂtent
Orson Welles Names His 10 Favorite Films: From Chaplin’s City Lights to Ford’s StageÂcoach
Watch Orson Welles’ The Stranger Free Online, Where 1940s Film Noir Meets Real HorÂrors of WWII
Orson Welles Explains Why IgnoÂrance Was His Major “Gift” to CitÂiÂzen Kane