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
Orson Welles Cinema 1975, Nicholas Ray appeared at the Welles for a Q&A session after the showing of the David Helpern documentary, "I’m a Stranger Here Myself". Other filmmakers and musicians who made personal appearances or visited at the Welles Cinema included Peter Bogdanovich, Edward Dmytryk, Ed Emshwiller, Jean Eustache, Gary Graver, Jean-Pierre Léaud, Jim McBride, Vincente Minnelli, Nicholas Ray, George A. Romero, Harold Russell, François Truffaut, Orson Welles and Neil Young. After Steven Lisberger premiered his "Cosmic Cartoon" (1973) at the Welles, the animated short received a Student Academy Award nomination, and he went on to make "Animalympics" and "Tron". Rob Morris,