The 1941 classic of Orson Welles, “Citizen Kane”, is considered by many as one of the greatest films of all time. He is also considered one of the most influential films. He is still talked about today and has had an impact on filmmakers, including Martin Scorsese and David Fincher. Fincher made “Mank”, which tells the story of Herman J. Mankiewicz and how he developed the Welles script.
The producer of “Mank”, Douglas Urbanski, attended the series of projections Variety 120 presented by Barco, a summer program organized by Jazz Tangcay which celebrates the 120th anniversary of Variety by showing emblematic films such as “All About Eve” and “Psycho”.
Urbanksi, who saw “Citizen Kane” for the first time during his days at New York University, discussed the sustainable impact of the film and explained that it has to do with stories and mystique surrounding the film.
He said, “Citizen Kane” has everything that is not on the screen that lends to his mystique. He has the shock of the ego, and of course, he has the famous and false story on which Pauline Kael wrote and that we made a film. »»
In the event of a variety chronicle, “Citizen Kane” was surrounded by out of camera struggles, including multiple threats of prosecution and a campaign of smear against Welles.
Urbanski has shared some of its anecdotes, including a story on Welles, the film without mastery “Heart of Darkness”, and how Chasen, formerly the hottest place of catering in Los Angeles, serves as a “central figure in this film”.
Building on this, Urbanski told Tangcay that Rko Studios had given Welles the green light to do whatever he wanted. Welles had decided that he was going to adapt the Joseph Conrad Novella. Welles deprived the tests and called on actors, invited them to dinner at Chasen. “He seated them at the dinner in the private dining room upstairs at the back of the Chasen and told them, there is a change of plan. RKO thinks we are doing `Heart of the American Dream. Upstairs.
Urbanski then explained that Houseman, who was the production partner of Welles, on the left.
Welles later admitted that he had struck a block with the script and admitted this to Houseman. “There is only one number that can write it, and it is Herman Mankiewicz. Houseman says essentially:” You know, he is unmanageable. You know, it’s a drunk. You know, it is not reliable. Yes, it is the best. “”
Among the mysteries surrounding the film, Who wrote “Citizen Kane”? Was it Welles or was it Mankiewicz? Innumerable columns and books surround this question. “Mank” also revolves around this subject.
Vanity Owen Gleiberman even addresses this in a column entitled “Who wrote” Citizen Kane “? It is a mystery even if you know the answer. ”
Urbanksi explained that when it was a question of approving the title cards of the film, the director saw that he had declared a scenario of Orson Welles and Herman Mankiewicz. “Orson has a red pencil, and he takes it and he draws an arrow to put Herman’s name above his.” He continued: “This is really what happened. History has grown up. “
Watch the video above.
