Now that’s greatness...

At 26, Orson Welles produced, co- wrote, acted in and directed Citizen Kane.

It was Orson Welles's first movie as an actor and a director.
And Citizen Kane is considered to be the greatest film EVER made.

26 Year old Welles, in one of the most difficult roles ever, portrays millionaire Charles Foster Kane from ages 25 to 76.
And does it so convincingly.

Orson had only one casting rule "get people never before seen on screen"

The role won him an Oscar nomination. One of only 5 actors to be nominated for best actor for their debut film.

The movie itself is loosely based on life of Tycoon W. R. Hearst who controlled a third of all media (print and radio) at that time. Hearst tried his best to stop the movie release.
He tried buying the movie just to destroy all prints.
However, Orson had signed a contract with the RKO giving him complete rights on the movie. Something never before done in Hollywood with any director (let alone a 26 year old rookie)

The battle that followed destroyed everyone involved.
Citizen Kane is the last movie made by RKO
Orson Welles's name and the movie itself did not get a single mention in any of the Hearst's newspapers and radio stations.
Movie theatres refused to screen the movie and it was shown in tents all over America.
Major Hollywood studios refused to work with Orson Welles for a long time.


"I passionately hate the idea of being with it; I think an artist has always to be out of step with his time."
-Orson Welles