He had many plans for films; none of them would fall within Hollywood’s remit. He was now, in effect, an independent film-maker, a very exposed position in 1942. His passion to communicate was undimmed; he was brimming with ideas about society and about life. In particular, he was full of what he had seen and understood of South America, and was as eager as ever to make his contribution to hemispheric unity. But first there was the small matter of making a living. For this he naturally turned to his first big source of income, radio – the medium of which he had unquestioned mastery and for which he commanded substantial fees. Although he was under financial pressure, his idealism as usual came to the fore. He had made two highly praised broadcasts from Brazil, the first called Pan-American Day, the second a celebration of President Vargas’s birthday, both of which had been enthusiastically received in North America. This was the vein – informative, celebratory, progressive – that he sought to mine in the work on which he embarked on his return, although the very first programme was a somewhat uninspired remake of The Hitch-Hiker, one of his big successes on the Lady Esther programme.
What do You think about Orson Welles: Hello Americans?
