Before you believe that I have misquoted William Randolph Hearst, please be advised that his famous quote is: "You provide the pictures and I'll provide the war." Though, if you had believed this title was a misquote, you would be counted initially among brilliant minds like myself (self-editing needed here). As I sat watching Citizen Kane#1 last night, I had the very same thought. This Charles Foster Kane is misquoting a famous journalism man, though this seems somewhat apt, considering he's just taken over the NY Inquirer and "I know nothing about running a newspaper." According to Answers.com, when asked if the film was based on the life of WRH, director/screenwriter Orsen Welles was quoted as saying, "It is not based upon the life of Mr. Hearst or anyone else. On the other hand, had Mr. Hearst and similiar financial barons not lived during the period we discuss, Citizen Kane could not have been made."
So to me it seems as though Welles is tipping his hat to those moguals of yellow journalism, but not formally giving credit for his inspiration for the feature to any one tycoon. Kudos to Welles for trying to remain somewhat vague, probably in an attempt to remain somewhat more diplomatic in the face of Hearst's mission (after having watched the film) to get the film banned and destroy the reputation of its director (again according to Answers.com).
The movie itself moves along at a fairly quick pace, I'm sure everyone has to turn only to the IMDB (a librarian's best friend sometimes) to acquire a plot synopsis and cast list. More importantly, I'm guessing a number of people have seen the movie, or in the very least, know it's famous line of "ROSEBUD." I'm sure that it's not a coincidence that the movie is #1 on the AFI 100 Years 100 Movies list, nor that ROSEBUD is one of the top 100 Quotes (#17).
I'm just happy to report that I've finally gotten back on the track of watching NEW films on this list (i.e. films that I have not seen before - short clips notwithstanding)...thanks to the choice to rent From Here to Eternity last weekend while in Chicago (# 52).
I must also "tip my own hat" to the fact that I am no longer busy with Fall semester of grad school and have a whole week of working and waiting for my car to be fixed, before returning to Iowa...so this leaves a few hours to catch up on the viewing pleasures.
I also rented 39 Steps, to continue my quest to watch all of the Alfred Hitchcock features I can get my hands on.
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