With Alexander Trauner, Orson Welles helped to prepare the sets for this film, under the mistaken impression that he would be allowed to direct and star in it himself (1950). No such luck, and I’m not sure that I disagree with Dave Kehr’s description: Jose Ferrer with a rubber nose, essaying what is easily the worst performance ever to win an Academy Award. At least some of the lines in the Rostand play are good. Directed by Michael Gordon, with Mala Powers, William Prince, and Morris Carnovsky. (JR)