The Orson Welles Almanac guest when he returned to the show April 11, 1943. 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. The 30-minute program was heard Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. ET January 26 – July 19, 1944. The wartime variety show presented readings from classic works, drama, music, sketch comedy, magic, mindreading and personal commentary by Welles. Many of
Me and Orson Welles was honored as the winner of the 2009 Maverick Award. it opened the New Orleans Film Festival on October 9, 2009; and it was screened at the St. Louis International Film Festival in November 2009. The film was released in the US on November 25, 2009, and in the UK on December 4, 2009. "IndieWIRE" reported, "The do-it-yourself release of Richard Linklater's "Me and Orson Welles" got off to a very nice start, averaging $15,910 from its four theaters, the highest PTA of all debuting films. … While "Orson Welles" is one the first examples of such a high-profile film