Learn how Orson Welles and RKO fought off a megalomaniacal millionaire, lethal gossip columnists, and a backstabbing co-writer in bringing Citizen Kane to life. The podcast discusses Orson Welles' struggles with a wine commercial and his association with the film. It also explores his early life, the origins of Citizen Kane, innovative film production, and the making of the movie, including controversies and parallels with William Randolph Hearst.
Collaboration between Orson Welles and Herman J. Mankiewicz resulted in a groundbreaking film showcasing their talents.
Citizen Kane faced opposition from powerful figures, like William Randolph Hearst, but ultimately persevered as a cinematic masterpiece.
The production of Citizen Kane faced challenges, including limited advertising and negative portrayals, leading to initial box office failure.
Deep dives
Summary of the Film Citizen Kane
Citizen Kane, directed and starring Orson Welles, is widely considered one of the greatest films of all time. The film follows the life of Charles Foster Kane, a newspaper tycoon, through the eyes of a young reporter trying to uncover the meaning behind Kane's enigmatic last word, 'Rosebud.' While the film was critically acclaimed, it faced challenges during its release. It drew parallels with the real-life media mogul William Randolph Hearst, causing controversy and backlash. Despite box office failure at its initial release, Citizen Kane gained its acclaim over time and is known for its innovative filmmaking techniques and captivating storyline.
Orson Welles and Herman J. Mankowitz
Orson Welles, the director and star of Citizen Kane, worked closely with screenwriter Herman J. Mankowitz, also known as Mank. The two had a productive partnership, with Welles providing great storytelling and Mank writing brilliant dialogue. However, there were tensions during the production, including disputes over screenwriting credit. Ultimately, Mank's name was included as a co-screenwriter, and he was given first billing in the credits. Despite the challenges, their collaboration resulted in a groundbreaking film that showcased their talents.
The Controversy and Opposition
The release of Citizen Kane faced opposition from powerful figures, including media magnate William Randolph Hearst. Hearst believed that the film portrayed him in a negative light and saw similarities between himself and the character of Charles Foster Kane. His influence led to a campaign against the movie, with threats, attempted extortion, and efforts to block its release. Despite this opposition, Citizen Kane ultimately persevered and is now recognized as a cinematic masterpiece.
The Unusual Collaboration: Orson Welles and Herman Mankiewicz
Orson Welles and Herman Mankiewicz formed an unlikely but successful collaboration to write the script for the movie 'Citizen Kane'. Despite their different skills and writing styles, they complemented each other well. Mankiewicz excelled in crafting brilliant one-off lines, while Welles brought the vision and storytelling structure. They found common ground in their shared dislike for William Randolph Hearst, which became the foundation of their movie. Working together, they generated story ideas and wrote scenes, with Mankiewicz contributing significantly to the script. However, to avoid legal complications, the script was officially credited to Welles alone.
The Troubled Production and Legacy of Citizen Kane
The production of 'Citizen Kane' faced challenges, both within and outside the film. The innovative makeup work, led by non-union artist Maurice Seiderman, revolutionized the industry with its use of latex applications. The film itself received massive attention from the press, due to the young Welles directing such an ambitious project. However, its release faced obstacles. Hearst's influence led to limited advertising, fewer theater releases, and negative portrayals of the film through Hearst-controlled media. Despite critical acclaim and a Best Original Screenplay Oscar, the film initially lost money and had limited success due to its dark and complex themes. It was only in subsequent years that 'Citizen Kane' gained recognition as a groundbreaking film, influencing generations of filmmakers and becoming a staple in cinematic history.
The greatest film ever made... that nearly never saw the light of day. Learn how Orson Welles and RKO fought off a megalomaniacal millionaire, lethal gossip columnists and a backstabbing co-writer in bringing Citizen Kane to life.
*CORRECTIONS:
*Chris refers to Kane as an orphan - this is technically wrong as Kane's mother voluntarily placed Kane under the guardianship of Walter Parks Thatcher when he was a young boy.