Citizen Kane was nominated for 9 Oscars in 1942. This was not the first or the last movie that Orson Welles directed or acted in, but it is the one he is most remembered for. The only Oscar that Citizen Kane won was for Best Writing/ Original Screenplay. Still it is often touted as the greatest classic film ever made.
Citizen Kane is about a newspaper publisher who mumbles "Rosebud" on his deathbed at the beginning of the film. A reporter goes on the search to find out about the mystery behind "Rosebud". The film is set after Charles Foster Kane's death, but it has memory flashbacks from his childhood up until his death. The flashbacks are the memories of the people in his life. Finally "Rosebud" is revealed to the watchers, but not to anyone in the story. Citizen Kane is the movie premier of Agnes Moorehead as Kane's mother. She later becomes Endora on TV's "Bewitched". Dorothy Comingore was one of the actresses who were blacklisted by the McCarthy committee. Her career ended in 1951 and she ended her life in 1971. Ruth Warrick later becomes a star for 35 years on the day time soap opera "All My Children".
Citizen Kane created controversy when the film was made. The newspaper giant William Randolph Hearst claimed the film was about him. Welles claimed unconvincingly that Hearst was wrong. Citizen Kane is still causing controversy 65 years later. Many people argue it is the best film of all time while others disagree.
I personally like Citizen Kane. It is a great story that is well shot. It is not family friendly, but it is a movie that everyone should see at least once to form her own opinion about.
This is the first movie we are discussing in the Classic Watchers Club. Visit the forum to tell us how you feel about the movie.
Need a copy: Citizen Kane DVD or rent from Netflix.com
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