What Do ‘Minecraft,’ ‘E.T.’ and ‘Citizen Kane’ Have in Common? Plus, More Fun Facts About the Orson Welles Classic
Orson Welles’ classic Citizen Kane, which had its U.S. premiere on May 1, 1941, is regularly considered one of the greatest movies of all time, and watching it again (or for the first time), you will be reminded why. After more than 80 years, the stunningly original innovation that Welles put into the film’s direction and camerawork — as well as the work of Oscar-nominated cinematographer Gregg Toland — makes it easy to forget it was produced in the early ’40s.
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It’s all the more impressive when you realize that Welles made this masterful, Best Picture Oscar-nominated film when he was only in his mid-20s. Welles also picked up Oscar nominations for directing, cowriting (with Herman J. Mankiewicz; the duo won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay), and playing the title role, a not-so-subtle dramatization of tycoon William Randolph Hearst. Welles leads an equally incredible cast that also includes Joseph Cotten, Dorothy Comingore, Everett Sloane and more.
Here are 9 interesting facts about Citizen Kane Feel free to use these to win a future trivia bet with your friends; thank us later.
1 Caffeine poisoning struck the star
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Orson Welles had a habit of consuming more than 30 cups of coffee each day which led to caffeine poisoning. Because of this, Welles switched his drink of choice to tea, as he believed preparing it would slow down his consumption level. It didn’t work as an assistant started preparing it and it led to a change in his skin color.
2 And they think it’s impressive when Tom Cruise does his own stunts
Much has been said about Tom Cruise doing his own stunts, and he’s had plenty of injuries during the process — but maybe we all should have learned from Welles that the movie set can cause bodily harm. During filming, Orson Welles cut his hand —actually, both of them — during the scene when his Charles Kane character was smashing furniture and ripping things off of walls. Later, Welles fell and injured his ankle while filming, which forced a rescheduling of scenes and left him directing from a wheelchair for multiple days. Directors really do suffer for their work.
3 Drafts, working titles and distraction
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The initial 1940 draft of the script was titled “American.” During shooting, it was referred to as “RKO 281” to hide the film from studio executives when they came on set trying to get a peek. Welles would also often distract the execs with card tricks when they arrived.
4 Movie magic and fake people
The audience that watches Kane make his speech is, in fact, a still photo. To give the illusion of movement, hundreds of holes were pricked in with a pin, and lights moved about behind it. Other movie magic was used in the opening scene of the film, which was actually the last scene in production and was done in one single take. The line uttered of “Rosebud” is one of AFI’s top film quotes of all time.
5 What Do Minecraft, Barbie, Schindler’s List, Goodfellas, A Clockwork Orange and Citizen Kane all have in common?
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This was Orson Welles first feature film, and he was just 25 years old when he directed it. Other directors who helmed their first feature at age 25 include: Marin Scorsese (Who’s That Knocking at My Door), Steven Spielberg (Duel), Stanley Kubrick (Fear and Desire), Barbie director Greta Gerwig (Nights and Weekends) and current Minecraft director Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite). While Dynamite was a big hit, neither it or the first films by the other directors on the list are on the same level as Citizen Kane.
6 Another Spielberg and Citizen Kane connection?
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Spielberg, who directed his first feature at the same age as Welles, was the winning bidder at a 1982 Sotheby’s auction for one of the film’s “Rosebud” props. Purchased for around $60,000, it was one of three sleds that were made for the closing scene of the film. After a second take, Welles was satisfied and the surviving sled was put into storage at RKO and later found its way to Spielberg. In 2018, Spielberg donated the piece to the Academy Museum, where it resides as part of their exhibit for the legendary film for all to enjoy.
7 Could Battlefield Earth and Freddy Got Fingered really be hidden gems?
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Battlefield Earth and Freddy Got Fingered were both not just box office flops; they also found their way onto many worst film lists. But maybe it was just not their time? Despite all the publicity, Citizen Kane was a box-office flop, as well, and it was quickly sent to the RKO vaults.
Even though the film received nine Academy Award nominations and won the award for Best Screenplay, Citizen Kane was booed every time one of its nine nominations was announced. It was only re-released to the public in the mid-1950s. What was the alleged reason for all the booing and disdain, including the shelving of the film by RKO? William Randolph Hearst conducted an aggressive campaign against the film and its seeming depiction of his life. He banned any mention of the film in his newspapers and newsreels.
Given everything, is it time to reevaluate Battlefield Earth and Freddy Got Fingered? With apologies to John Travolta and Tom Green, probably not.
8 Forgiveness or a real good cause?
Much of the film’s story — including Kane’s estate named Xanadu — was inspired by William Randolph Hearst and the Hearst Castle. Despite Hearst’s disdain for the film, in 2015, 74 years after the film’s release, Kane was screened at the Hearst Castle for 60 lucky attendees, at a cost of $1,000 each. The fundraiser was put on by Friends of Hearst Castle, and benefitted the estate that eventually became a state park — plus, it tried to illustrate the differences between Charles Foster Kane and William Randolph Hearst.
9 Even the fire department came to the set
For the iconic sled-burning scene, the furnace was so hot that the flue caught fire — causing the Culver City Fire Department to respond to the location.
Hollywoods Golden Year
April 2024
Return with us to the year film fans acknowledge as the finest in Hollywood history, 1939.
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