Iconic Films: ‘Citizen Kane,’ Wunderkind Orson Welles’s Monumentally Epic Debut

Orson Welles in "Citizen Kane." RKO Radio Pictures

As “Citizen Kane” appears on countless critics’ and filmmakers’ all-time top 10 lists (many at No. 1), it wouldn’t be going out on a limb to state that Orson Welles’s 1941 debut feature is the most respected, if not the greatest, film of all time. While its popularity within movie industry circles is beyond worshipful, “Citizen Kane” was a box office flop and still remains a mystery to the majority of the movie-going public.

Although his acclaimed work in theater netted Welles numerous offers from Hollywood, he regularly demurred. It was only after the infamous 1939 “War of the Worlds” radio broadcast—which everyone listening believed to be an actual invasion from Mars—did the offers become impossible to resist.

Welles’s RKO Deal Was Unprecedented

RKO offered Welles a two-picture deal and (nearly unheard of at the time) complete artistic autonomy, including the ultra-rare “final cut.” Welles was 24 and had never acted in or directed a movie before. This was an unprecedented arrangement and not only ticked off the other major studios, but also dozens of jealous, seasoned filmmakers, who felt this “boy wonder” was being given unchecked carte blanche.