The video for A Touch of Evil is anti censorship propaganda. Referring to the censors rules as a touch of evil controlling the art of Heavy Metal. But when Judas Priest front man Rob Halford was asked about the song he explained that the references to demonic possession were actually metaphor for the effects that a woman can have on a man. The "touch of evil" is her vigi... Oh Touch of Evil, the classic film by Orson Welles? The one were the lighting tells so much of the story that you can probably watch it without sound and still be locked in suspense.
The version of the film that we watched in class contains what some Welles experts assume is how he wanted to movie edited, based on his 58 page memo to the studio, that he wrote after seeing their version of the film. Wanting to know exactly what it is like to be berated by Orson Welles after pooing all over his beautiful art, I went in search of the memo. When I found it I was disappointed to know that Welles is a consummate professional. He appreciated the studio giving him the opportunity to make the film, apologized for how long it was taking him to edit the film, and tried his best to help them get the most out of the film without costing anymore money on re-shoots. In fact, he is so detailed in his instruction that his genius shines through his humility, and by the end of the memo you feel like you just had a one on one session in a film class taught by Professor Welles. This is my favorite part;
"It would be the greatest mistake to cut out the references to the smell of reefers."
If you wanted to read the memo for yourself, you can find it on wellesnet.com, it sheds a lot of light on what Welles really wanted, hard light, with a lot of shadows.
Kevin Washington
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Kevin,
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting assertion. I definitely agree that Welles was a highly censored Director, in general, as well as cost studios lots of money and time over his laborious, perfectionist efforts. But I definitely think it pays off here as well as in Citizen Kane, his other masterpiece. You did some great research here, and followed your interest which I definitely like, however what's missing is a discussion of setting and lighting specifically. For these journals, make sure to focus on the issue looked at that period, so that you are prepared for the discussion, armed with your own interpretations of the specific element or elements.....
Stacy