C is for Citizen Kane, lauded as one of the best
films in all of cinematic history. Famously written and directed by Orson
Welles, this film from 1941 received an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay
for Herman J. Mankiewicz and Orson Welles. It’s a black and white film that is
both a mystery and a drama. The cinematography is ground breaking for its time,
and a delight to watch.
Said to be loosely based on the life of William Randolph
Hearst, Citizen Kane is the story of
a young boy, Charles Foster Kane, placed with a guardian until he reaches the
age of 25 when he is set to inherit his fortune. How parents could give away
their child to a stranger is puzzling to me, but then perhaps they thought he
would be provided with the kind of education that would help him manage the
wealth he’d receive.
The famous word the film is known for is Rosebud. Once you see Citizen Kane, you will never forget what
it stands for. The film opens with the death of Charles Kane, and a bevy of
reporters work to find out the truth of his life, and especially of the last
word he spoke aloud before he died: Rosebud.
The reporter Jerry Thompson (William Alland) interviews Kane’s
business associates, friends, an ex-wife and others in the pursuit of what his
life stood for. Besides being about Charles Kane, the film is also about
politics, wealth, the working class, scandal, and all of these are way too familiar
to us as the fake news and buying of candidates continues on in the current political
arena. His best friend Jedediah Leland (Joseph Cotten) is faithful to him early
on, and then finds Kane’s manipulations too much to continue being involved
with him.
The mansion called Xanadu that Kane built in Florida is
probably eerily like the Hearst Mansion in California. I can’t really say as
I’ve never visited the place, but I’m sure they had in common the opulence,
garish furnishings, and perhaps even a zoo. No wonder Kane’s second wife Susan
(Dorothy Comingore) felt like she was caged in that place.
Orson Welles was only 25 years old when he came out with this
story. He absolutely shined as a director who took risks in how the story was
filmed, from the flashbacks to Kane’s childhood, to the early days as a
newspaper owner to the empire it became, to his failed run for governor. We
learn about Kane only as the reporter learns about his life as he searches out
those who knew him best. Orson Welles performance is Oscar worthy, and he
should have won for Best Actor that year.
The highest honors at the Academy Awards in 1942 went to How Green Was My Valley, and Sergeant York, which was a sentimental
choice at best, probably because America was now in World War II. Should have
gone to Citizen Kane in my opinion.
Watch it if you haven’t.
A great choice. Watched it as a film student and it blew my mind.
ReplyDeletehttps://iainkellywriting.com/2018/04/03/c-is-for-cork-republic-of-ireland/
A film student! Where did you study?
DeleteI have never seen Citizen Kane - I keep meaning to since it is such a classic. I really should get round to it, you make it sound so fascinating.
ReplyDeleteTasha
Tasha's Thinkings - Movie Monsters
Thank you for the compliment. Classic it is, and I think you would like it.
DeleteIt is not my favourite film but it is excellent and deserves that top spot( not the Godfather). Gregg Toland was a master of deep photography whom Welles loves to use in his films. Actually, Hearst, who was deeply connected to MGM, was so angry about this film that he demanded Mayer get the film and destroy it. Mayer offered RKO tons of money for all the prints but RKO declined. As it is, since the studios had power over the theatres, MGM refused to run the film and some others followed so this film was not widely seen. Oh, Marion Davies who was a good comedic actress was the mistress of Hearst was constantly placed in costume melodramas which Hearst loved. Apparently, Hearst’s nickname for Davies’s who-ha was Rosebud.
ReplyDeleteWhoa! This is some very cool film lore! Thanks for sharing it with all of us film fans!
DeleteOkay, this one I've seen! Pretty much mandatory viewing when studying film.
ReplyDeleteYes, everyone always brings it up as pure genius film making. It is really good.
DeleteHi Sue - obviously one I need to see ... which I will do - I know it's legendary ... but your post and the comments have enlightened me - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI would say to put it at the top of your list. I think you'd enjoy it.
DeleteA truly great film worthy of all the praise it has received. I first watched this when I was in college in the 1970's and have seen it many times since. This was a trailblazer in many ways.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
Tossing It Out
It's a great film. Should have won more awards when it first came out, but at least it continues to receive the recognition it deserves.
DeleteI haven't watched Citizen Kane in a long time but I remember it as a film that really lives up to it's hype. And it's doubly impressive when you consider all the innovative film techniques that were pioneered by Welles that we take for granted today.
ReplyDeleteI agree. It's a great film for film students to watch, as well as anyone who just enjoys a good story!
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