My Wonder Place

Nothing but the very best for W R Hearst! This biopic of an exceedingly rich man who fell in love with Wales is narrated by actor/director Orson Welles who created in his film ‘Citizen Kane’ a character largely based on that of Hearst. In addition to the Californian castle he had built, the obsessive collector bought a ‘real’ castle, his “wonder place” – St Donat’s in the Vale of Glamorgan, now Atlantic College, an international school working for peace and sustainability.

“God would have built it”, quipped playwright G B Shaw of Hearst Castle, San Simeon, “if he’d had the money”. There the rich and famous enjoyed the lavish hospitality of a man who chose a ringmaster’s costume for his 75th birthday celebrations. During the 1934 Eisteddfod, the Gorsedd of Bards was entertained at St Donat’s where jesters made merry and sentries paced the ramparts, the whole a glorious combination of “Welsh joyousness and American money”. Scripted/directed by ex-newspaper editor Frances Gallaher this version, winner of 2 USA Gold Awards, was created/screened on Channel 4 in 1986 after the premier of the longer, Welsh version – 'Citizen Kane a Cynan' - on S4C's opening night 1/11/1982.