Today In History: Citizen Kane Premiers

There are two retreats possible: death and the womb. The house was the womb. Here too was all the grandeur, all the despotism, which my man had found lacking in the outside world.  Such was his estate — such was the obvious repository for a collection large enough to include, without straining the credulity of the audience — a little toy from the dead past of a great man. -- Orson Welles,  January 15, 1941 (Wellsnet)

Rosebud. An enigmatic word for most of the film, Rosebud is the last word spoken by Charles Foster Kane on his deathbed at the very opening -- and one that eventually connects to his childhood in the fictional town of Little Salem, Colorado. The dramatic storyline focuses on the rise and fall of the publishing magnate, including his upbringing in New York City; association with prestigious ivy league universities; turbulent marriage; and aspiring politics -- told through vivid flashbacks of his life as presented through reporters'  interviews with those who knew him.

Citizen Kane premiered on May 1st, 1941 at the RKO Palace at the southeast corner of Seventh Avenue and Forty-Seventh Street in the northern end of Times Square, Manhattan. Representing the debut of Orson Welles as a film director, it initially saw limited box office sales, but it went on to become one of the greatest movies of all time, acclaimed for its innovative use of lighting and editing.

It is believed that the film is based on the life of William Randolph Hearst who developed Hearst Communications, the largest newspaper chain and media company in America. Hearst was known for "yellow journalism", a type of tabloid reporting that relied on sensationalism or scandalous and human-interest stories, rather than in-depth reporting and fact-checking. Hearst tried to suppress the film, a move that lead to negative press. Its recognition as a film masterpiece was made even more intriguing by its controversial and ironic subject matter -- still reflected upon by the newspaper industry and book publishers.

The following articles are drawn from Proquest Historical Newspapers, which informs and inspires classroom teaching and learning.

• Premier Tonight for 'Citizen Kane': Orson Welles's First Picture, in Which He is Also Starred, Will Open at Palace (1941, May 01). New York Times (1923-) 
• Crowther, B. (1941, May 02). Orson Welles's Controversial 'Citizen Kane' Proves a Sensational Film at Palace -- 'That Uncertain Feeling' at Music Hall -- 'Great American Broadcast' at Roxy. New York Times (1923-) 
• Gemis, J. (1991, Apr 28). The Classic Hollywood Could Not Destroy. Newsday (1940-) 2
• Gilbert, M. (1991, Apr 28). Citizen Kane Turns 50: And Orson Welles' All-America Masterpiece Is as Fresh as Ever. Boston Globe (1960-) 
• Sterritt, D. (1991, Apr 30). Film Revival: Orson Welles and 'Rosebud' Ride Again. The Christian Science Monitor (1908-) 
• Kyff, R. S. (1991, May 01). Even After 50 years, 'Citizen Kane' Resonates with a Clarity Both Technical and Allegorical. Chicago Tribune (1963-1996) 
• Slegel, J. E. (1996, Jan 14). Touch of Genius. The Washington Post (1974-) 
• Wilmington, M. (1996, Jul 18). Unbeatable: Magnificent 'Citizen Kane' Will Never Be Topped. Chicago Tribune (1963-1996) 
• King, S. (2001, Sep 25). 'Citizen Kane' Gets Digital Face-Lift: Movies Restoration of the Film Named the Best of the 20th Century Required Detective Work and Patience.  Los Angeles Times (1996-) 
• Kehr, D. (2013, Aug 11). Discovering a Cinematic Rosebud: Footage for a Planned Orson Welles Stage Project Is Unearthed. New York Times (1923-) 

Tips:

• Ehrlich, Matthew C. Journalism in the Movies. 1st ed. Urbana, Ill: University of Illinois Press, 2006. e-book.
• Fabe, Marilyn. Closely Watched Films : An Introduction to the Art of Narrative Film Technique. 1st ed. Oakland, California: University of California Press, 2004. e-book.
• Foertsch, Jacqueline. American Culture in the 1940s. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2008.  e-book.
• Gottesman, Ronald. Focus on Citizen Kane. Englewood Cliffs, N.J: Prentice-Hall, 1971. Stacks ; PN1997 .F6.
• Mulvey, Laura. Citizen Kane. 2nd ed. London ; Palgrave Macmillan on behalf of the British Film Institute, 2012. e-book

Images:

• Citizen-Kane-LC-6, Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
• Citizen-Kane-Welles-Podium, Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
• Poster Image: Citizen Kane Poster, 1941 (Style B, Unrestored), Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

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