Citizen Kane (Part 2) Trivia Quiz

Answer: Bewitched

Agnes Moorehead was featured in dozens of Hollywood films, but she is probably most recognized as Endora, mother of Samantha in the popular 60s television sitcom 'Bewitched'.

In 'Citizen Kane', Moorehead portrays the seemingly cool-hearted Mary Kane, a woman who has become incredibly wealthy through her ownership of a Colorado gold mine. Later in this early scene it is revealed that Mary's intentions are to separate young Charles from his father, who has been abusing the young lad.

Answer: The Crusader

Rosebud is the name of Charles' sled in Colorado. The fact that he is presented with a new and improved (?) sled, and not his beloved Rosebud, hints at the separation anxiety the young boy is feeling. As 'Rosebud' is Charles Foster Kane's last word, the viewer is led to believe that the sled, an inanimate object, is the poor chap's best wordly friend.

Answer: The Inquirer

Thatcher's letter informs Kane of the great responsibility he will now have in directing his family's holdings. Kane has apparently become rather rebellious though, and he rejects the appeals of his former guardian. He is interested in running the New York Inquirer, however, and informs an obviously annoyed Thatcher, stating in his letter, 'I think it would be fun to run a newspaper.'

Answer: Meat packers

Charles Kane's interests at this point in his young life apparently reside in protecting the 'common man'. Kane is even willing to attack the very companies with which he holds substantial amounts of stock.

When Thatcher questions Kane about his reporting techniques, the latter responds, 'I don't know how to run a newspaper, Mr. Thatcher, I just try everything I can think of.'

Answer: Spain

Along with the headlines describing 'copper robbers' and 'slum landlords' Thatcher reads one that boldly states 'Galleons of Spain off Jersey Coast'. Much as it has been suggested that William Randolph Hearst spurred support for the U.S. war against Spain in the late 19th century, Kane does the same thing.

In fact, Kane uses a line borrowed from Hearst in response to his assistant Bernstein, who reads a letter from a reporter named Wheeler which states that 'There is no war in Cuba.' Kane responds, 'Dear Wheeler: you provide the prose poems. I'll provide the war.'

Answer: We are never told

Bernstein is always referred to as 'Mr. Bernstein' throughout the film...I'm not sure why. He is portrayed by Everett Sloane, another member of Welles' Mercury Theater group. Sloane went on to work with Welles' in several more films, including 'Journey into Fear', 'The Lady from Shanghai' and 'Prince of Foxes'.

Answer: The Third Man

In 1949, Cotten and Welles were both featured in Carol Reed's classic film noir 'The Third Man', Cotten as Holly Martins and Welles as Harry Lime. Another of Welles' Mercury players, Cotten also starred with the former in films like 'The Magnificent Ambersons' and 'Journey into Fear'.

Cotten once proudly boasted, 'Orson Welles lists 'Citizen Kane' as his best film, Alfred Hitchcock opts for 'Shadow of a Doubt' and Sir Carol Reed chose 'The Third Man' - and I'm in all of them.'

Answer: very rich

Sitting with Thatcher, Kane essentially admits his former youthful frivolity. He suggests that Thatcher is a brilliant banker, and that he himself has 'gagged on the silver spoon' in his mouth.

In another interesting moment, Thatcher questions Kane on what he wishes he had become (aside from a 'great man'), and Kane responds, 'Everything you hate.'

Answer: Dramatic Critic

Leland's job as dramatic critic will become significant later on when Kane is married to Susan Alexander, his 'diva' second wife. Interestingly enough, Kane asks Leland at this point, 'I hope I haven't made a mistake, Jedidiah. It is a dramatic critic, isn't it?'

Answer: Spousal murder

Charlie Kane decides that if his Inquirer is to compete with the Chronicle, his paper will have to start reporting the same type of news stories as its competitor. This is much to the annoyance of his editor-in-chief, Mr. Carter, who has apparently tried to maintain a scandal-free newspaper. Carter is concerned with integrity, Kane's concern is reaching the maximum number of readers through his yellow journalist techniques.

Please join me for the third quiz in this series as we continue to ponder the rise and decline of Charles Foster Kane. Thank you for playing.