Date: Nov 6, 2007 14:43
Orson Welles had met with Erwin Rommel in 1936 while Rommel was in
Denmark on vacation with Frau Rommel. The reason that Welles had asked
to be introduced to Rommel was this.
Welles was desperate for Rommel to play the part of "Augustus Billings"
in his 1938 film of "Too Much Johnson". But Rommel had much on his
mind as Hitler wanted to send the Wehrmact into Spain and Rommel could
see that Germany was going to be taken on a downhill path by a lunatic,
thus he declined.
Rommel had urged Welles not to make the film Citizen Kane which Welles
was planning back then. Rommel understood that WR Hearst was a
powerful ally and if he could be brought onboard then America could be
made more aware of Der Fuhrer's designs for Europe.
This of course was the background for part of Welles hatred of Joe
Kennedy. Welles blamed himself for Kennedy's actions as regards
leaving Britain in the lurch.
I have more information regarding this but would like to state at this
point that Rommel was not a Nazi and was loved by his men and respected
by his foe.
PANZER ROLLEN IN AFRIKA VOR !
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