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''The Orson Welles Almanac'' (also known as ''Radio Almanac'' and ''The Orson Welles Comedy Show'') is a 1944 CBS Radio series directed and hosted by Orson Welles. Broadcast live on the Columbia Pacific Network, the 30-minute variety program was heard Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. ET January 26–July 19, 1944. The series was sponsored by Mobilgas and Mobiloil. Many of the shows originated from U.S. military camps, where Welles and his repertory company and guests entertained the troops with a reduced version of ''The Mercury Wonder Show''. The performances of the all-star jazz band that Welles brought together for the show were an important force in the revival of traditional New Orleans jazz in the 1940s. ==Production== "''The Orson Welles Almanac'' was a format that intrigued Welles throughout the early 1940s," wrote radio historian John Dunning. "It consisted of everything from odd facts to jazz."〔 The idea of doing such a variety show occurred to Welles after his success as substitute host of ''The Jack Benny Program'', radio's most popular show. When Jack Benny contracted pneumonia on a performance tour of military bases, Welles hosted four consecutive programs (March 14–April 4, 1943) and was Benny's first guest when he returned to the show April 11, 1943.〔〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=The Jack Benny Program for Grape-Nuts and Grape-Nuts Flakes )〕 Orson Welles's variety show was auditioned in New York December 2, 1943, with the Compton advertising agency representing Mobilgas. The cast included Welles (host) and Duke Ellington (music), with guest spots by Rita Hayworth and Jimmy Durante on an audition record. ''Billboard'' reported that plans were under way for scheduling the show.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Orson Welles and Duke Ellington Try to Sell Mobilgas )〕 The 30-minute program was heard Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. ET January 26–July 19, 1944.〔Hickerson, Jay, ''The Ultimate History of Network Radio Programming and Guide to All Circulating Shows''. Hamden, Connecticut, second edition December 1992〕 The wartime variety show presented readings from classic works, drama, music, sketch comedy, magic, mindreading and personal commentary by Welles. Many of the shows originated from U.S. military camps where Welles and his repertory company and guests entertained the troops with a reduced version of ''The Mercury Wonder Show''. The program aired on the Columbia Pacific Network, heard in California and neighboring states,〔''Orson Welles on the Air: The Radio Years.'' New York: The Museum of Broadcasting, catalogue for exhibition October 28–December 3, 1988, page 64〕 but no further east than Denver.〔 "Originating in Los Angeles, the program was only aired regionally, not at all in New York," wrote Welles biographer Bret Wood. "Had it been a major network presentation, there might have been enough publicity to build a successful program, for the content and production are both of a quality far above the norm."〔Wood, Bret, ''Orson Welles: A Bio-Bibliography''. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1990 ISBN 0-313-26538-0〕 Welles had an ongoing battle with the program's sponsor, Mobil, which shortened the life of the series.〔Dunning, John, ''On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio''. New York: Oxford University Press, Inc., 1998 ISBN 978-0-19-507678-3 hardcover; revised edition of ''Tune In Yesterday'' (1976)〕 For example, Welles bristled at a suggestion that if Duke Ellington appeared on the show he should play the role of Welles's servant.〔Leaming, Barbara, ''Orson Welles, A Biography''. New York: Viking, 1985 ISBN 0-670-52895-1〕 Twenty-six broadcasts were produced; all but three shows have survived in private collections and in the Welles archives at the Lilly Library.〔''(Orson Welles Almanac )'' at Wellesnet, The Orson Welles Web Resource. Retrieved 2013-07-31.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「The Orson Welles Almanac」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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