The Medium and the Magician: Orson Welles, the Radio Years, 1934-1952 (Critical Media Studies: Institutions, Politics, and Culture) [Hardcover]

Paul Heyer (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 074253796X | ISBN-13: 978-0742537965 | Publication Date: January 28, 2005

Few twentieth-century artists are renowned in such a variety of media as Orson Welles. Well known for his work in film and theater as director, actor, and writer, Welles's influence in the field of radio has often been overlooked for the more glamorous entertainment of his movies. The Medium and the Magician is a comprehensive review of Welles's radio career, devoted to assessing his radio artistry and influence in the field. Paul Heyer offers a new look at the infamous War of the Worlds panic broadcast and a discussion of how Welles's use of sound in radio influenced his motion pictures.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A very insightful window into a creative period that was all too short. (Communication Booknotes Quarterly )

Heyer's brilliance in developing this book is based on formidable research into Welles' creative output, interviews, books, papers, studies, and transcripts of every aspect or person that entered Welles's career.... Impressive (Anne Leighton H-Net Reviews )

At last Orson Welles's radio work gets the attention it deserves! Paul Heyer makes the compelling case that Welles should be regarded as a formidable creative force in radio as much as he is in film and theater, backing it up with impressive research and a lively, engaging writing style. This fascinating study sheds light not just on Welles's work generally, but on U.S. radio history and the emergence of sound as an art form. (Michele Hilmes )

About the Author

Paul Heyer is professor of communication studies at Wilfrid Laurier University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (January 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 074253796X
• ISBN-13: 978-0742537965
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,155,265 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Researched, but dull, October 5, 2010

By 

John C. Mucci (Wilton, CT USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Medium and the Magician: Orson Welles, the Radio Years, 1934-1952 (Critical Media Studies: Institutions, Politics, and Culture) (Paperback)

There is so much about Orson Welles that continues to astound us, not the least of which was his precocious, almost manic production in radio, that this book is rather pale. The sheer zest and joie de vivre you hear almost every moment in Welles' (almost totally preserved) radio work doesn't shine through in this book, which is a great pity. There were times I wasn't sure whether the author had listened to the radio shows at all, and if so, whether we heard the same thing. We certainly didn't interpret the work or the implication of it similarly. why people insist on pigeonholing Welles as the creator of the War of the Worlds and Citizen Kane and nothing else is the biggest fallacy going. He produced, wrote, directed, acted in so much, (and so much simultaneously), that the whole corpus of the radio plays needs to have a better treatment than this.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Orson Welles and Magic, July 1, 2007

By 

Martin Grams, Jr. "cowboyrider" (United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Medium and the Magician: Orson Welles, the Radio Years, 1934-1952 (Critical Media Studies: Institutions, Politics, and Culture) (Paperback)

I have always been a fan of Orson Welles on radio and television. Having collected a ton of radio broadcasts on CD and audio cassette and having watched most of his movies, I appreciate the genius of his work. I picked up a copy of this book recently and am amazed at the amount of research put into it. An aspect of Welles rarely discussed is his magic career. At the Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention this September in Aberdeen, Maryland, I plan to attend the presentation about Orson Welles and his magic career so I can watch rare footage and films with Welles, and get an even deeper insight to his trickery. Book comes recommended.