Mankiewicz, Herman -- Citizen Kane (1941) [with Orson Welles]

Dave — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 07:54:53 +0000

Alone in his never-finished, already decaying, pleasure palace, aloof, seldom visited, never photographed, an emperor of newsprint continued to direct his failing empire. Vainly attempting to sway, as he once did, the destinies of a Nation that had ceased to listen to him, ceased to trust him.

Herman J. Mankiewicz (1897–1953) American screenwriter, journalist, theater critic
Citizen Kane (1941) [with Orson Welles]

The script reads "Charles Foster Kane" rather than "an emperor of newsprint."

There is still significant debate as to whether Mankiewicz or Welles should be given primary credit for the screenplay (as written and as filmed). For more, see here.

Mankiewicz, Herman -- Citizen Kane (1941) [with Orson Welles]

Dave — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 06:21:22 +0000

BERNSTEIN: Well, it’s no trick to make a lot of money — if all you want is to make a lot of money.

Herman J. Mankiewicz (1897–1953) American screenwriter, journalist, theater critic
Citizen Kane (1941) [with Orson Welles]

The script reads in the first clause (only) "make an awful lot of money."

There is still significant debate as to whether Mankiewicz or Welles should be given primary credit for the screenplay (as written and as filmed). For more, see here.

WIST Quotations

Mankiewicz, Herman -- Citizen Kane (1941) [with Orson Welles]

Mankiewicz, Herman -- Citizen Kane (1941) [with Orson Welles]