I first heard about Bogdanovich’s Welles book from a film professor who called it 'the closest thing to a Welles autobiography we’ll ever get.' That stuck with me. 'This is Orson Welles' isn’t your typical dry analysis—it’s alive with Welles’ voice, thanks to Bogdanovich’s interview format. The two had this mentor-protégé dynamic, and you can feel Bogdanovich’s reverence in every footnote. My favorite part? Welles ranting about how 'Citizen Kane' was overanalyzed ('People think it’s a damn crossword puzzle!'). It’s hilarious and heartbreaking in equal measure.
I’d argue the book also humanizes Bogdanovich. He’s not just an interviewer; he’s a fan wrestling with his hero’s contradictions. Like when Welles dismisses 'The Magnificent Ambersons' as a failure, and Bogdanovich gently pushes back—it’s this tender moment. For anyone who’s ever geeked out over film history, it’s like finding a secret masterclass.
Yep, Bogdanovich’s 'This is Orson Welles' is legendary. I adore how it blends gossip (Welles calling Hitchcock 'a technician, not an artist'), technical insights (that long take in 'Touch of Evil' was pure spite against the studio), and personal confessions. It’s messy, opinionated, and utterly absorbing—much like Welles himself. My dog-eared copy has sticky notes everywhere, especially near the 'F for Fake' rants. Pure gold.
Oh, this takes me back! Peter Bogdanovich absolutely did write about Orson Welles, and it's one of those deep-cut gems for cinephiles. The book is called 'This is Orson Welles,' and it's essentially a series of conversations between Bogdanovich and Welles himself, edited and annotated with incredible care. It feels less like a traditional biography and more like eavesdropping on two geniuses debating film over coffee. I stumbled on it years ago in a used bookstore, and the way Welles dissects his own work—like how he fought studio interference on 'Touch of Evil'—is just electrifying. Bogdanovich’s notes add this layer of intimacy, like he’s guiding you through Welles’ labyrinthine mind. If you love behind-the-scenes chaos or the mythos of Old Hollywood, this is a must-read.
What’s wild is how raw Welles comes across—self-deprecating, witty, but also haunted by projects he couldn’t finish. Bogdanovich captures that duality perfectly. I’ve loaned my copy to friends so often it’s practically falling apart. It’s not just a book; it’s a time machine to when films felt like they could change the world.
2026-04-04 23:51:57
14
View All Answers
Scan code to download App
Related Books
LORENZO, MY FATHER'S BEST FRIEND
C Pinky
8
13.9K
"You want to suck my cock?" He grabbed the base of his dick and gave it a stroke, "Is that what you want, little wolf?"
"Yes, Alpha," I didn't hesitate. My lips darted out to kiss the tip and his hips jerked involuntarily.
He grabbed a fistful of my hair, "Open your mouth for me, sweetheart. Let me feel those pretty lips around my cock."
***
My father’s best friend should be off limits.
Especially when he’s the Alpha of our pack.
But after walking in on my dad and my best friend in bed, I ran straight into Alpha Lorenzo’s arms… and into a temptation I can’t resist.
He’s older, and dangerous. And the one man I should never want.
Yet when he touches me, every rule slipped out the window.
Because the moment his lips claim mine, the truth hits hard.
The Moon Goddess didn’t make a mistake. Or did she?
Fresh out of college, Clara Stewart asked me to take on a $500,000 mortgage for her.
When I refused, she turned around and bought an $800,000 villa in full, for another guy.
Holding up the property deed, she told me:
"Jayden, the truth is, I'm actually rich. I've been pretending to be poor to test you. Unfortunately, you failed. I'm disappointed in you. Let's break up."
I simply smiled and walked away without a second thought.
The irony? I'm the son of the richest man in the country.
I was pretending to be broke, too.
Fast forward four years, we met again at the National Wealth Summit.
Clara had just barely made it into the top 50 on the list, clinging to the arm of Henry Brown as they entered.
She spotted me in simple clothes with no visible brand, holding a child in one arm and the keys to a Porsche Cayenne in the other.
Thinking I was someone's driver, she sneered:
"Jayden, you really went all out just to see me again? Let's be real, you're just a driver now, and I'm on the wealth list. We live in completely different worlds. Don't waste your time fantasizing."
I did not bother replying.
Honestly, I was only there because my billionaire dad insisted.
I had finally cleared a day to spend with my son and now I had to waste it on that.
I was an emergency physician.
After finishing a night shift, I had just walked out of the hospital entrance when a colleague from the hospital called me.
"Dr. Doherty, hurry back. A critically injured patient was just brought in. The chief wants you to return immediately and help with the resuscitation."
I turned around without thinking.
But then a stream of floating comments suddenly appeared in front of my eyes.
[Do not enter the operating room! Do not take part in this resuscitation!]
[The patient is already dead. If you go in, you will be taking the fall for the hospital director's daughter!]
[This patient's family is powerful. You will not only be sentenced to death, your parents will also be forced to jump to their deaths as well!]
My steps stopped cold.
A few seconds later, my heart tightened.
I decided to believe the comments.
I would gamble on it.
My eyes swept quickly across the ground.
I immediately locked onto an uncovered deep shaft on the road.
I gritted my teeth, shut my eyes, and threw myself straight into the opening.
I was the kind of girl everyone called hopelessly lovestruck.
That day was no different from any other. I clung to my boyfriend’s arm, leaned in close, and shamelessly asked for a kiss like I always did.
However, right before my lips touched his, a line of glowing comments drifted across my vision. They floated in the air like a livestream chat.
[Can this side character wake up already? Can she not see the male lead avoided her the entire time? He hated clingy relationships like this.]
[The kind of person who really suits him is the female lead. Someone gentle, patient, and understanding.]
[Once the real female lead shows up, this annoying clingy girlfriend is definitely getting dumped.]
My body froze.
I slowly loosened my arms from around his neck.
In the next second, he suddenly looked up at me.
“Why’d you stop?”
It was raining very heavily on the day my parents got divorced.
There are two copies of the agreements on the table. One declares that the signee will stay with Dad, who's a gambling addict and has already racked up a huge debt, in the old town.
The other declares that the signee will follow Mom, who will marry a rich businessman, and move to a coastal town.
In the previous life, my younger sister, Tamara Browning, kicked up a fuss because she wanted to stay with Mom. So, I packed up my luggage quietly and went with Dad.
Soon after, Dad quit gambling and received the compensation due to our house being demolished in a governmental project. Since then, he showered me with love and affection.
Meanwhile, Tamara wasn't allowed to even leave the house. On top of that, she was neglected by everyone, so she died from depression.
Now that we're given a second chance in life, Tamara snatches the cigarette out of Dad's fingers before hugging him, refusing to let him go at all.
"Tiana, my heart aches for Dad's situation. You should live a good life with Mom. I'll give that chance to you."
I deign to say anything at all. Instead, I just pick up the train ticket that'll take me to the coastal town.
But what Tamara doesn't know is the reason behind Dad's decision to quit gambling in the previous life. At that time, I had overexhausted myself from paying off his debt, and I began vomiting blood due to my brain cancer. I practically had to risk my life just to get him to quit gambling once and for all.
After a huge fall out with a beta reader, The renowned author, Alyssa Waters, watched her career go down the drain.
After stubbornly holding her last book signing event even though she was cancelled, a billionaire approaches her with an amazing offer to write a biography for him.
The only reason she even held the last book signing shamelessly was because she needed to tend to her nanny's hospital bills.
When this unexpected offer fell on her lap, she grabbed it with her full might.
Luke Lexington, a billionaire, diagnosed with brain tumor and at the brink of death, hires a cancelled former famous writer to write his biography.
Secrets, secrets, secrets. There are many writers he would have used so why did he pick out a cancelled one of all?
Soon, they flung professionalism aggressively and begin to explore each other's body.
Read on and enjoy this steamy ride.
Peter Bogdanovich was this brilliant filmmaker who also had a knack for writing about the craft in a way that felt both academic and deeply personal. One of his most famous books is 'The Cinema of Orson Welles,' where he dives into Welles' techniques and legacy with the kind of detail only a true cinephile could muster. He didn’t just analyze; he celebrated Welles' genius, making it a must-read for anyone obsessed with film history.
Another gem is 'Who the Devil Made It,' a collection of interviews with legendary directors like Hitchcock and Ford. Bogdanovich’s conversations are so lively and insightful, you almost feel like you’re sitting in the room with them. His ability to draw out their stories and philosophies is unmatched. If you’re into filmmaking, these books are like gold—full of wisdom and nostalgia for a bygone era of cinema.
Peter Bogdanovich is one of those rare filmmakers who also left a significant mark in the literary world. From what I've gathered over the years, he published around 15 books, blending his love for cinema with sharp critical analysis. His works like 'Who the Devil Made It' and 'This is Orson Welles' are deep dives into Hollywood's golden age, packed with interviews and behind-the-scenes stories.
What fascinates me is how his writing mirrors his films—full of nostalgia and reverence for classic storytelling. He didn’t just write about movies; he wrote like someone who lived them. If you’re into film history, his books are like sitting down with a grumpy but brilliant uncle who knows all the gossip.
I’ve been hunting for Peter Bogdanovich’s books for ages, and let me tell you, the online options are pretty solid. Amazon’s usually my first stop—they’ve got everything from his film critiques like 'Who the Devil Made It' to his director-focused works. The used copies are often a steal, especially if you don’t mind some shelf wear.
For rarer finds, I swear by AbeBooks. It’s like digging through a global library; I once snagged a first edition of 'This Is Orson Welles' there for half the price I’d seen elsewhere. Book Depository’s another gem, especially if you want free shipping worldwide. Just be patient—their delivery times can be unpredictable.
Peter Bogdanovich is a treasure trove for anyone obsessed with cinema history. His book 'Who the Devil Made It' is an absolute must-read—it's a collection of interviews with legendary directors like Hitchcock, Ford, and Hawks. Bogdanovich’s deep reverence for these filmmakers shines through, and his questions are so insightful that you feel like you’re eavesdropping on masterclasses. The way he draws out their techniques and philosophies is just magical.
Then there’s 'This Is Orson Welles,' which is basically the definitive work on Welles’ genius. Bogdanovich’s friendship with Welles adds a personal layer, making it feel like you’re getting insider gossip mixed with scholarly analysis. If you’ve ever geeked out over 'Citizen Kane' or 'Touch of Evil,' this book will ruin you for all lesser film criticism. It’s that good.