Tommy Tainant
Diamond Member
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- #21
NOt many films start with the death of the main character.We judge movies, books, and theater, based on contemporary customs and standards. No doubt, Citizen Kane was ahead of it's time in 1940 when a movie that ended in death of the protagonist, had to leave audiences with something other than despair and hopelessness. In the 50's to 70's, people looked at Citizen Kane much differently because movies then did not have to put smiles on the faces of audiences or inspire them. People saw the genius of Welles plot twists, his introduction of avant-garde storytelling, unique use of the camera, incredible attention to detail, from the music to the lighting. Filmmakers in the 60's and 70's and later made such heavy use of Well's techniques, that today Citizen Kane seems about as fresh as yesterdays garbage. However, if you look at the film considering the era it was made, Welles was one of the most gift filmmakers of all times.
There are two movies that Welles though were his best and critics agreed, Citizen Kane and the Magnificent Ambersons, however both lost money at the box office. The Welles production that made money, got critics approval, and Welles disapproval was The Stranger. If you haven't seen it, it's worth watching, a good suspenseful story, certain not in the league of Citizen Kane.
The BBc have picked up a job lot of old RKO films and I am working through them. The Mag Ambersons is one of them.
they treated us to a double bill last night.
Bringing up Baby which I found irritating.
and
My Favouite Wife which I quite enjoyed.