The Mercury Theatre on the Air
The Mercury Theatre on the Air is a radio series of live radio dramas created and hosted by Orson Welles. The weekly hour-long show presented classic literary works performed by Welles's celebrated Mercury Theatre repertory company, with music composed or arranged by Bernard Herrmann. The series began July 11, 1938, as a sustaining program on the CBS Radio network, airing Mondays at 9 pm ET. On September 11, the show moved to Sundays at 8 pm.
Orson Welles (July 1938)
The company rehearses "Treasure Island", the second program in The Mercury Theatre on the Air series, presented July 18, 1938.
Orson Welles, arms upraised, directs a rehearsal of CBS Radio's The Mercury Theatre on the Air. Bernard Hermann conducts the CBS Radio orchestra; actors at the microphone include Ray Collins and Richard Wilson.
George Orson Welles was an American director, actor, writer, producer, and magician who is remembered for his innovative work in film, radio, and theatre. He is considered to be among the greatest and most influential filmmakers of all time.
1937 portrait by Carl Van Vechten
Orson Welles at age three (1918)
Welles's birthplace in Kenosha, Wisconsin (2013)
Welles with his mother, Beatrice Ives Welles
