Soundcloud 1939 Frozen Peas Commercial Orson Welles 1970

Heirloom Radio

This is a short story... first an introduction to the situation that was the cause of the story... and then the audio file will play. Orson Welles...if you are or are not an old time radio fan... have most likely at least heard of him. He was a brilliant actor, director, and producer in the field of radio starting when he was 23 with the 1938 "War of the Worlds." He is remembered and considered to be among the greatest and most influential filmakers of all time -" Citizen Kane", "The Stranger", "A Man for All Seasons", "Jane Eyre"... and many more. His voice was almost unbelievable... rich, deep, baratone voice... perfect for Mercury Theatre on the Air. When he got into his late 50's he started to do a lot of television and radio commercials...mostly for wines... but in 1970 he was hired by a British TV Company to star in a few commercials... one for Frozen Peas and another for some fish company. He was a perfectionist and demanded that of the people he worked with. There was a time when he lost it... the Frozen Pea commercial. This track is a recording of the recording session for that commercial. Welles knew so much more about directing, writing, producing... that he literally walks out on this crew... If you think he was in the wrong... just keep in mind that he had so many years of perfecting his skills and talent... what he tells the directors is true... the way it should have been done... part of recording radio/tv history. The loud "Smack" that you hear is the slap of wood hitting the Clapper that they use to start recordings of film.