Citizen Kane: A Filmmaker’s Journey
Reviews and media coverage

_________________________

 

“The most thorough account yet of the genesis, production and release of Welles’s most famous film. It’s never been presented this comprehensively.”

New York Times Book Review

 

“A crisp, clear-eyed, romp through Kane history. Four stars out of four.”

Empire Magazine

 

“Lebo’s book is highly readable; it’s dense, lucid, and page-turning. Fans of Welles and classic Hollywood will be delighted by this comprehensive, intelligent work.”

Publishers Weekly

 

“Everything you wanted to know about one of the greatest films of all time―and then some. Lebo splendidly chronicles all the drama, infighting, ups and downs, excitement, and genius that went into creating Welles’ masterpiece.  This book is a gold mine for fans.”

Kirkus Reviews

 

“Film-scholar Lebo has conducted painstaking research, combing through voluminous interviews as well as production reports, memos, budgets, drafts of the script, news accounts, and critiques.  The book reveals previously unpublished details about the extraordinary lengths that press lord William Randolph Hearst – the main inspiration for the Kane character played by Welles – went to suppress the film.”

Booklist (American Library Association)

 

“A deep dive into the film that made ‘Rosebud’ a household word. In time for the 75th anniversary, there are interviews with cast and crew, access to studio correspondence and a ‘lost’ final script.”

Fort Worth Star Telegram

 

“An engaging synthesis of just about everything written about ‘Kane,’ with expertly drawn conclusions that feel like, when you read them, the arguments are over. A definitive resource for anyone interested in Welles and Kane.”

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

 

“Combines a trainspotter’s guide to film trivia with a riveting account of the dastardly campaign by the Hearst organization to have the movie suppressed….Offers sharp insights into Welles’s artistic methods.”

The Australian

 

“Aside from this thorough study, it’s Lebo’s engaging writing style that is the chief feature of this volume. The author gives as full a view of Kane and its origins as has ever been written.”

Library Journal

 

“Lebo’s book is highly readable; it’s dense, lucid, and page-turning. Fans of Welles and classic Hollywood will be delighted by this comprehensive, intelligent work.”

Publishers Weekly

 

“Drawing upon intimidating levels of research, Lebo has crafted what must be the definitive telling of this classic film’s complete story.”

Flick Attacks

_________________________

 

Media Coverage

 

Harlan Lebo talks about Citizen Kane: A Filmmaker’s Journey  (Wellesnet)

Welles, Toland, and Citizen Kane  (American Cinematographer)

Scale of Hearst plot to discredit Orson Welles and Citizen Kane revealed  (The Guardian)

Book recalls making, release of Citizen Kane 75 years ago  (Masslive.com)

New Book confirms Hearst’s involvement in Citizen Kane Smear Campaign  (Adweek)

How Hearst tries to stop Citizen Kane  (Smithsonian)

New details of the plot to destroy Citizen Kane revealed  (New York Post)

_________________________