‘Citizen Kane’ 75th Anniversary and Orson Welles’ Hell to Get the Film Released

May 1 marks the 75th anniversary of “Citizen Kane,” one of the most admired and influential films of all time.

Hearst dailies refused ads for the film and Variety reported “harassment of Welles by Hearst photogs at Palm Springs trying to get ‘personal’ pictures.”

The film ended up with an OK boxoffice total, but public enthusiasm never matched the critics’ ecstasy.