1940
After newspaper tycoon Charles Foster Kane dies whispering "Rosebud," reporter Jerry Thompson investigates its meaning by interviewing Kane's former associates. Through these interviews, Thompson uncovers Kane's rise from humble beginnings, his idealistic publishing career, failed marriages, political ambitions, and isolated later life. Despite gathering extensive details about Kane's life, Thompson concludes that "Rosebud" remains an unsolved mystery. However, as Kane's possessions are cleared from Xanadu, a worker burns an old sled, revealing the word "Rosebud" painted on it, symbolizing Kane's lost childhood.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Citizen Kane opens with the death of media magnate Charles Foster Kane, prompting reporter Thompson to investigate the meaning of Kane’s dying word, “Rosebud.” Through flashbacks and interviews, we see Kane’s rise from an orphan to a powerful publisher, his failed marriage to Susan, and his political ambitions.
Open full beat sheetCharles Foster Kane is listed as Protagonist. Newspaper tycoon, wealthy, complex, driven by power and a need for love. In the parsed data, Charles Foster Kane is connected to 55 scenes, 83 dialogue lines, 86 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
55 scenes / 83 dialogue linesJedediah Leland is listed as Friend/Critic. Kane's oldest friend and former dramatic critic. In the parsed data, Jedediah Leland is connected to 25 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 28.
25 scenes / 13 dialogue linesMr. Bernstein is listed as Business Manager. Kane's loyal business manager and long-time associate. In the parsed data, Mr. Bernstein is connected to 23 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 13.
23 scenes / 9 dialogue linesSusan Alexander Kane is listed as Second Wife. One-time opera singer, Kane's second wife. In the parsed data, Susan Alexander Kane is connected to 20 scenes, 50 dialogue lines, 50 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
20 scenes / 50 dialogue linesJerry Thompson is listed as Investigator. Reporter for a news digest, tasked with uncovering the meaning of 'Rosebud'. In the parsed data, Jerry Thompson is connected to 17 scenes, 18 dialogue lines, 18 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
17 scenes / 18 dialogue linesRaymond is listed as Butler. Butler at Xanadu. In the parsed data, Raymond is connected to 13 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 18.
13 scenes / 7 dialogue linesWalter P. Thatcher is listed as Banker. Kane's legal guardian, representative of the bank. In the parsed data, Walter P. Thatcher is connected to 8 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
8 scenes / 6 dialogue linesEmily Monroe Norton is listed as First Wife. President's niece, Kane's first wife. In the parsed data, Emily Monroe Norton is connected to 6 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 45.
6 scenes / 1 dialogue linesRawlston is listed as Producer. Head of the news digest. In the parsed data, Rawlston is connected to 2 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
2 scenes / 3 dialogue linesMary Kane is listed as Mother. Kane's mother. In the parsed data, Mary Kane is connected to 1 scene, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 7.
1 scenes / 1 dialogue linesA slow approach to the mysterious castle of Xanadu, ending at a lighted window.
Kane dies in his bed, whispering 'Rosebud' as a glass snow globe falls and breaks.
Charles Foster KaneEditors and producers watch a newsreel about the life and death of Charles Foster Kane.
Charles Foster Kane, Jerry Thompson, RawlstonRawlston and Thompson discuss the meaning of Kane's dying words and the direction of the newsreel.
Rawlston, Jerry ThompsonThompson attempts to interview Susan Alexander Kane.
Jerry Thompson, Susan Alexander KaneThompson gains access to Thatcher's memoirs.
Jerry Thompson, Walter P. ThatcherYoung Kane is signed over to Thatcher's guardianship.
Charles Foster Kane, Walter P. Thatcher, Mary KaneYoung Kane cries for his mother while traveling with Thatcher.
Charles Foster Kane, Walter P. ThatcherThatcher confronts Kane about his sensationalist journalism.
Charles Foster Kane, Walter P. Thatcher, Mr. Bernstein, Jedediah LelandKane and Bernstein dictate a cable to Wheeler while Thatcher looks on with disapproval.
Charles Foster Kane, Jerry Thompson, Walter P. Thatcher, Mr. BernsteinKane and Thatcher argue about Kane's business practices and his role as a publisher.
Charles Foster Kane, Walter P. ThatcherThompson finishes reading Thatcher's journal and is confronted by Miss Anderson.
Jerry ThompsonBernstein recounts memories of Kane to Thompson.
Jerry Thompson, Mr. BernsteinBernstein and staff wait for Leland's review of Susan's opera performance.
Charles Foster Kane, Mr. Bernstein, Jedediah LelandKane finds Leland drunk and finishes his negative review of Susan's performance.
Charles Foster Kane, Mr. Bernstein, Jedediah LelandKane takes over the Enquirer and meets his staff.
Charles Foster Kane, Mr. Bernstein, Jedediah LelandKane argues with Carter about the newspaper's editorial direction.
Charles Foster Kane, Jedediah LelandKane discusses newspaper strategy with Carter and Bernstein, asserting his new editorial direction and demanding the paper price be lowered.
Charles Foster Kane, Mr. Bernstein, Jedediah Leland, RaymondKane forces a late remake of the newspaper pages by physically destroying the existing forms.
Charles Foster Kane, Mr. Bernstein, Jedediah Leland, RaymondKane writes his Declaration of Principles while Bernstein and Leland look on.
Charles Foster Kane, Mr. Bernstein, Jedediah LelandKane, Bernstein, and Leland observe the Chronicle building and discuss circulation figures.
Charles Foster Kane, Mr. Bernstein, Jedediah LelandKane celebrates the Enquirer's circulation success with a banquet and entertainment.
Charles Foster Kane, Mr. Bernstein, Jedediah LelandKane departs for a trip, joking about his promises to stop buying art and interfering with the paper.
Charles Foster Kane, Mr. Bernstein, Jedediah LelandKane returns from vacation and announces his engagement to Emily Monroe Norton to the staff.
Charles Foster Kane, Mr. BernsteinKane informs Miss Townsend of his engagement to Emily Monroe Norton.
Charles Foster Kane, Mr. BernsteinKane departs in a barouche with Emily Norton.
Charles Foster Kane, Emily Monroe NortonBernstein discusses Kane's past with Thompson.
Mr. Bernstein, Jerry ThompsonThompson interviews Leland about Kane.
Jedediah Leland, Jerry ThompsonFlashback to the Enquirer party where Kane makes a speech.
Charles Foster Kane, Mr. Bernstein, Jedediah LelandKane introduces Leland to Georgie and her girls.
Charles Foster Kane, Jedediah LelandKane, Leland, and others laugh at dinner.
Charles Foster Kane, Jedediah LelandKane departs for Europe.
Charles Foster Kane, Mr. Bernstein, Jedediah LelandKane confronts the President regarding oil leases.
Charles Foster KaneKane confronts the President regarding oil leases, leading to a heated argument.
Charles Foster Kane, Walter P. ThatcherKane and his staff prepare the headline about the oil theft.
Charles Foster Kane, Jedediah LelandKane and his staff react to the news of the President's assassination.
Charles Foster Kane, Mr. Bernstein, Jedediah LelandKane and Leland have a deep, drunken conversation about love and principles.
Charles Foster Kane, Jedediah LelandKane and Leland leave the building and are attacked by the crowd.
Charles Foster Kane, Jedediah LelandKane tries to convince Emily not to leave him.
Charles Foster Kane, Emily Monroe NortonKane receives Leland's torn-up check and destroys his own Declaration of Principles.
Charles Foster KaneKane finishes his campaign speech at a rally, attacking Boss Rogers.
Charles Foster Kane, Emily Monroe NortonKane receives congratulations after his speech and discusses the election with Reilly and Bernstein.
Charles Foster Kane, Jerry Thompson, Mr. Bernstein, Jedediah LelandKane meets Emily and Junior, then leaves with Emily to confront a situation.
Charles Foster Kane, Susan Alexander Kane, Emily Monroe NortonKane and Emily confront Rogers and Susan; Rogers blackmails Kane.
Charles Foster Kane, Susan Alexander Kane, Walter P. Thatcher, Emily Monroe NortonEmily and Leland discuss the election results and Kane's downfall.
Jedediah Leland, Emily Monroe NortonSusan makes her opera debut, terrified.
Susan Alexander KaneLeland discovers Kane is writing the review of Susan's performance.
Charles Foster Kane, Mr. Bernstein, Jedediah LelandKane finishes writing a review for Leland, then fires him.
Charles Foster Kane, Mr. Bernstein, Jedediah LelandThompson and Leland discuss Kane's life and Xanadu.
Jerry Thompson, Jedediah LelandSusan tells Thompson about meeting Kane.
Jerry Thompson, Susan Alexander KaneKane and Susan meet after a street accident.
Charles Foster Kane, Susan Alexander KaneKane and Susan bond in her room.
Charles Foster Kane, Susan Alexander KaneSusan continues her story about her singing career.
Jerry Thompson, Susan Alexander KaneKane forces Matisti to continue training Susan.
Charles Foster Kane, Susan Alexander KaneSusan's disastrous opera debut.
Charles Foster Kane, Susan Alexander Kane, Mr. BernsteinKane insists Susan continue singing despite her protests.
Charles Foster Kane, Susan Alexander KaneKane discovers Susan has attempted suicide.
Charles Foster Kane, Susan Alexander Kane, RaymondDr. Corey assures Kane that Susan will recover.
Charles Foster Kane, RaymondKane visits Susan after her suicide attempt, speaking with Dr. Corey.
Charles Foster Kane, Susan Alexander Kane, RaymondSusan expresses her unhappiness to Kane.
Charles Foster Kane, Susan Alexander KaneSusan and Kane argue about their isolated life in Xanadu.
Charles Foster Kane, Susan Alexander KaneKane and Susan, now older, argue about a planned picnic.
Charles Foster Kane, Susan Alexander Kane, Mr. BernsteinA heated argument leads to Susan deciding to leave Kane.
Charles Foster Kane, Susan Alexander KaneRaymond informs Kane that Susan is leaving.
Charles Foster Kane, RaymondKane tries to stop Susan from leaving.
Charles Foster Kane, Susan Alexander KaneSusan talks to Thompson about her life with Kane.
Jerry Thompson, Susan Alexander KaneRaymond tells Thompson about Kane's final years.
Jerry Thompson, RaymondRaymond sends a press release about the divorce.
Charles Foster Kane, RaymondKane destroys Susan's room in a rage.
Charles Foster Kane, RaymondKane visits the crypts of his family.
Charles Foster Kane, RaymondRaymond and Thompson discuss the departure while packing continues.
Jerry Thompson, RaymondNewspaper staff catalog Kane's possessions while Thompson reflects on Kane's life.
Jerry Thompson, RaymondLaborers burn the remaining junk, including the sled.
RaymondFinal shot of the estate gates and the No Trespassing sign.
Well - it's become a very clear picture. He was the most honest man who ever lived, with a streak of crookedness a yard wide. He was a liberal and a reactionary; he was tolerant - 'Live and Let Live' - that was his motto. But he had no use for anybody who disagreed with him on any point, no matter how small it was. He was a loving husband and a good father - and both his wives left him and his son got himself killed about as shabbily as you can do it. He had a gift for friendship such as few men have - he broke his oldest friend's heart like you'd throw away a cigarette you were through with. Outside of that -
You don't propose to have yourself made ridiculous? What about me? I'm the one that has to do the singing. I'm the one that gets the razzberries. Last week, when I was shopping, one of the salesgirls did an imitation of me for another girl. She thought I didn't see her, but - Charlie, you might as well make up your mind to it. This is one thing you're not going to have your own way about. I can't sing and you know it - Why can't you just -
That's the kind of thing we are going to be interested in from now on, Mr. Carter. Right now, I wish you'd send your best man up to see Mr. Silverstone. Have him tell Mr. Silverstone if he doesn't produce his wife at once, the Enquirer will have him arrested. Have him tell Mr. Silverstone he's a detective from the Central Office. If Mr. Silverstone asks to see his badge, your man is to get indignant and call Mr. Silverstone an anarchist.
I guess maybe I'm not as hard to see through as I think. Anyway, I never even answered his letter. Maybe I should have. I guess he was pretty lonely down there those last years. He hadn't finished it when she left him - he never finished it - he never finished anything. Of course, he built it for her -
As a matter of fact, we sent a man to the Silverstone home yesterday afternoon. Our man even arrived before the Chronicle reporter. And there's no proof that the woman was murdered - or even that she's dead.
Not one of you has been hired because of his loyalty. It's your talent I'm interested in. That talent that's going to make the "Enquirer" the kind of paper I want - the best newspaper in the world!
I think we'll have to send our friend Wheeler a cable, Mr. Bernstein. Of course, we'll have to make it shorter than his, because he's working on an expense account and we're not. Let me see -
I'll provide the people of this city with a daily paper that will tell all the news honestly. And no special interests will be allowed to interfere with the truth of that news.
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