I am a huge fan of Orson Wells, as well as Joseph Cotton and Agnes Moorehead. However, I think all three did much better work in Citizen Kane than in this movie. I agree that had Wells been able to deliver the entire movie the results might be different, but as it is, the story is too choppy. Further,as much as I like Moorehead's work in Kane, Sorry Worng Number and a particularly challenging episode of the Twilight Zone, I think she overacts in this film. Cotton is as good as always, but the material lacks some of the beef he needs to really step out. THe story line is strong and had the potential to be another Citizen Kane had Wells not been limited by cost and time overruns- if only we could have seen his original product!
Review of The Magnificent Ambersons
