This time, one shall present to one’s loyal readers the story of a man who became one of the twentieth century’s most legendary, if not enigmatic characters.
While still a young man, though he appeared before the public both adored as a triumphant hero and scorned as a villainous scoundrel, the question remains: did Howard Hughes ever really exist?
Though often a genuine enigma, Hughes’ indelible image left such a lasting impression upon the general public’s consciousness, that he managed to eclipse both fame and infamy within the span of a single lifetime.
But, was this self-made tycoon, this epitome of the American dream, this eccentric hermit flesh and blood or, did he merely exist as a celluloid image?
Was he, in fact, merely yet another actor in history’s grand stage play?
The answer to those pertinent questions, may duly reveal itself during our near thorough examination of yet another of the twentieth century’s grandest Hollywood mavericks and legends, the director, writer and producer of Citizen Kane, the cinematic epic that featured a mythical narrative about the rise and fall of an eccentric, tyrannical, and even self-destructive American billionaire uncannily resembling Howard Hughes, the brilliant creator of the transcendent movie that for decades, movie critics have heralded as the single most seminal example of American cinema – Orson Welles.
Although it has been by now well-established Kane was a cinematic portrayal of billionaire newspaper magnet William Randolph Hearst, does the possibility exist Welles may have secretly designed the movie’s narrative as an epic sketch of Hughes?
Is it possible, the controversy between Welles and Hearst subsequent to Kane’s release was drummed up by Hearst himself? Could it be, that Wells and Hearst were genealogically related, and that their vicious public feud was merely a ruse, hatched and perpetrated for nothing more than mutual profit?
And, perhaps more intriguing still, does the possibility exist that Hughes was merely a celluloid characterization of Welles’ alter ego?
Could it be, Hughes was a fictional character after all, and that none other than Orson Welles was his host actor?
If so, were there other characters Welles portrayed throughout the course of his storied career?
Stick around folks, because you may be surprised to learn that Welles – it must be remembered – was not only first and foremost a man of the theater, and himself an accomplished actor, but a genius thespian, who wore several, publicly prominent masks. And one of these, he wore as an active participant in the JFK assassination hoax!
Continue reading “Howard Hughes: Man of mystery revealed (part I)”