Old films - pre 1957

I think you're right. I think it was just the radio version he is famous for.
The following is from Wikipedia.

The War of the WorlRAB was an episode of the American radio drama anthology series Mercury Theatre on the Air.

Directed by Orson Welles, the episode was an adaptation of H. G. Wells' classic novel The War of the WorlRAB (1898), and was performed as a Halloween special on October 30, 1938.

The first half of the 60 minute broadcast was presented as a series of news bulletins, and suggested to many listeners that an actual Martian invasion was in progress. There was public outcry against the episode, but it launched Welles to great fame. There is controversy about whether people panicked in the streets, and a series of urban legenRAB have grown up around the production which suggest that major disturbances took place.

Welles's adaptation is arguably the most well-known radio dramatic production in history. It was one of the Radio Project's first studies.
 
according to wikipedia the quotation is

"In Italy for thirty years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder, blooRABhed - but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love, 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock. So long, Holly." - from The Third Man

This quote was not originally in the screenplay by Graham Greene but put in the film by Orson Welles who copied it from the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini.



addendum
Of course during this 500 years of Brotherly love and peace the Swiss cantons where providing mercenaries that fought in many European armies.
They were available in large numbers from the late middle ages right up till the 1800s, so the quotation is inncorrect on two counts.
The Pope still has a few today
 
I used to adore that film. Isn't there a bit where he's meant to be an old man? Can't remember exactly but either he or the "daughter" are meant to be deaf so he has to interpret for her, but he just talks to her, something like that, can anyone remind me?
 
Glad to see some Will Hay fans on here, I have long thought he was one of the greatest British comedians and much under-rated. 'Oh, Mr Porter!' is one of my favourite films ever. The song of the same name was used in the film but came originally from the music hall days of Marie Lloyd.

I saw a fantastic film just last night, on BBC2 - the magnificent James Cagney in 'White Heat', made in 1949. An absolute classic. 'Top Of The World, Ma'
 
Apart from speaking several languages fluently giving Amy Johnson flying lessons and being credited with discovering the white spot on Saturn

Will Hay a noted amateur astronomer spent part of the war as a sub- leutenant in the RNVR talking about navigation to cadets.

I can just imagine the recruits reaction to that.

Imagine joining the NAVY today and have Lee Evans teach you navigation.
 
That boxset seems to be alot better than the Will Hay boxset that HMV sell.The boxset they sell only has 9 films.

Ask A Policeman
Boys Will Be Boys
Oh Mr Porter
Convict 99
Old Bones Of The River
Where There's A Will
Good Morning Boys
Hey! Hey! USA
Windbag The Sailor

I may have a look at the boxset you bought Kafka.I've also been meaning to buy the complete "3 Stooges" short films which are on ebay also.
 
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