1997
In 1940, a young Orson Welles, given unprecedented creative control by RKO Pictures, struggles to find a subject for his first film until he and screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz decide to base a thinly veiled biography on the powerful and reclusive newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. As Welles and Mankiewicz develop the script, titled "Citizen Kane," they draw heavily from Hearst's life, including his lavish estate San Simeon and his long-term companion, actress Marion Davies, while Hearst, upon learning of the film's content, becomes enraged and uses his vast media empire to suppress its release. Hearst, with the help of gossip columnist Louella Parsons and studio head Louis B. Mayer, orchestrates a campaign to buy and destroy the film's negative, leading to an intense standoff with RKO Pictures head George Schaefer, who champions Welles's artistic vision. Despite immense pressure and financial ruin, Hearst and Marion Davies share a poignant dance in their emptied ballroom, while Welles, after a desperate plea to the RKO board, secures the film's release, culminating in a quiet premiere where he and Mankiewicz reflect on their controversial masterpiece, which ultimately fails at the box office due to Hearst's efforts but later becomes a cinematic landmark.
Save the Cat beat sheet
RKO 281 follows Orson Welles’s journey from an inspired young dreamer through the turbulent making and release of Citizen Kane, highlighting his creative battles and the powerful forces arrayed against him.
Open full beat sheetOrson Welles is listed as Director/Actor. A visionary, ambitious, and showman-like filmmaker who is 24 years old at the start of his Hollywood career. In the parsed data, Orson Welles is connected to 40 scenes, 104 dialogue lines, 110 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
40 scenes / 104 dialogue linesHerman Mankiewicz is listed as Screenwriter. A bitter, alcoholic, and cynical writer who collaborates with Welles on Citizen Kane. In the parsed data, Herman Mankiewicz is connected to 22 scenes, 60 dialogue lines, 60 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
22 scenes / 60 dialogue linesMarion Davies is listed as Actress/Hearst's Companion. A lively, charming actress who is Hearst's long-term companion. In the parsed data, Marion Davies is connected to 18 scenes, 23 dialogue lines, 23 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
18 scenes / 23 dialogue linesWilliam Randolph Hearst is listed as Press Baron. A powerful, wealthy, and ruthless media mogul who owns San Simeon and is the subject of Citizen Kane. In the parsed data, William Randolph Hearst is connected to 14 scenes, 16 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
14 scenes / 16 dialogue linesGeorge Schaefer is listed as Head of RKO Pictures. An intense, ethical, and tenacious studio head who gives Welles his contract. In the parsed data, George Schaefer is connected to 12 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 42.
12 scenes / 6 dialogue linesGregg Toland is listed as Cinematographer. A brilliant, quiet, and fearless cinematographer. In the parsed data, Gregg Toland is connected to 9 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 24.
9 scenes / 2 dialogue linesCarole Lombard is listed as Actress. A friend of Marion Davies and a Hollywood star. In the parsed data, Carole Lombard is connected to 6 scenes, 16 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
6 scenes / 16 dialogue linesLouis B. Mayer is listed as Film Titan. A crafty, short, and ruthless studio head at MGM. In the parsed data, Louis B. Mayer is connected to 6 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
6 scenes / 3 dialogue linesLouella Parsons is listed as Gossip Columnist. A feared, gin-drinking gossip columnist loyal to Hearst. In the parsed data, Louella Parsons is connected to 5 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 26.
5 scenes / 3 dialogue linesJohn Houseman is listed as Theatrical Producer. A thin-lipped, prim producer who works with Welles in New York. In the parsed data, John Houseman is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 15.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesHedda Hopper is listed as Gossip Columnist. A rival gossip columnist known for elaborate hats and intrigue. In the parsed data, Hedda Hopper is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 17.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesA young Orson Welles is told by his dying mother to seek the light and have a great dream.
Orson WellesLouis B. Mayer watches a newsreel about Orson Welles and expresses his disdain.
Louis B. MayerWelles and Mank discuss their struggle to find a subject for their first film.
Orson Welles, Herman MankiewiczWelles and Mank walk through the hallway discussing Howard Hughes.
Orson Welles, Herman MankiewiczWelles and Mank attend a dinner party hosted by Hearst and Marion Davies.
Orson Welles, Herman Mankiewicz, William Randolph Hearst, Marion Davies, Carole LombardMarion and Carole Lombard share a drink and discuss the pressures of living at San Simeon.
Marion Davies, Carole LombardGuests dance while Welles and Carole Lombard discuss his career.
Orson Welles, Herman Mankiewicz, William Randolph Hearst, Marion Davies, Carole LombardWelles observes the zoo animals from his balcony.
Orson WellesWelles wanders the castle and finds Hearst and Marion dancing.
Orson Welles, William Randolph Hearst, Marion DaviesWelles proposes to Mank that they base their film on Hearst.
Orson Welles, Herman MankiewiczWelles and Mank argue about the subject of their film, Hearst, and the risks involved in challenging such a powerful figure.
Orson Welles, Herman MankiewiczMank and Welles begin the process of brainstorming the story.
Orson Welles, Herman MankiewiczWelles and Mank brainstorm on the tennis court.
Orson Welles, Herman MankiewiczWelles and Mank walk along the beach discussing Hearst's perspective.
Orson Welles, Herman MankiewiczMank and Houseman work on the script at a guest ranch.
Herman Mankiewicz, John HousemanWelles meets Gregg Toland.
Orson Welles, Gregg TolandWelles charms Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons.
Orson Welles, Louella Parsons, Hedda HopperWelles reviews the completed script with Mank and Houseman.
Orson Welles, Herman Mankiewicz, John HousemanMank confronts Welles about his name being removed from the script.
Orson Welles, Herman MankiewiczHearst tells Marion that his wife refused a divorce.
William Randolph Hearst, Marion DaviesWelles convinces Schaefer to let him make Citizen Kane.
Orson Welles, George SchaeferWelles begins filming Citizen Kane.
Orson Welles, Gregg TolandWelles expresses frustration with actors while editing.
Orson WellesWelles and Toland work on a shot, leading to a confrontation with an electrician.
Orson Welles, Gregg TolandWelles struggles to film a scene with Dorothy Commingore due to exhaustion and distraction.
Orson Welles, Gregg TolandLouella Parsons receives a tip about the Welles picture.
Louella ParsonsWelles stands lost in his living room, transitioning to Mank's house.
Orson WellesWelles visits Mank to reconcile and discuss his creative crisis.
Orson Welles, Herman MankiewiczWelles and Mank argue about the political implications of Citizen Kane and the power of studio heads.
Orson Welles, Herman Mankiewicz, Gregg TolandMank tells Welles the story of Thomas Ince's death on Hearst's yacht.
Orson Welles, Herman Mankiewicz, Gregg TolandWelles watches the opening of Citizen Kane while Hermann conducts.
Orson WellesHearst and his guests watch Citizen Kane, leading to Hearst's rage.
William Randolph Hearst, Marion DaviesHearst rages and begins plotting against Welles.
William Randolph HearstLouella Parsons and Louis B. Mayer plot to destroy Citizen Kane.
Louella Parsons, Louis B. MayerHoover opens a file on Orson Welles.
Hearst discusses business with Marion and Willicombe.
William Randolph Hearst, Marion DaviesAn FBI agent interrogates Mank about Welles.
Herman MankiewiczMarion and Hearst argue about his financial ruin.
William Randolph Hearst, Marion DaviesMarion packs jewelry.
Marion DaviesMarion talks to Carole Lombard about her life with Hearst.
Marion Davies, Carole LombardMarion sells her jewelry.
Marion DaviesWelles and Schaefer argue about the film's release.
Orson Welles, George SchaeferMarion gives Hearst a check for one million dollars.
William Randolph Hearst, Marion DaviesMayer meets with other studio heads to plot the destruction of Citizen Kane.
Louis B. MayerWelles supervises the recording of music for the film.
Orson WellesHearst signs away his assets.
William Randolph Hearst, Marion DaviesMarion cries on the stairs.
Marion DaviesA benefit dinner where Welles is introduced.
Orson Welles, Herman Mankiewicz, George Schaefer, Louella Parsons, Louis B. Mayer, Gregg TolandHearst signs a document to liquidate assets while Marion watches in pain.
William Randolph Hearst, Marion DaviesMarion weeps on the marble stairway.
Marion DaviesOrson Welles performs a satirical song about Hearst at a benefit dinner.
Orson Welles, Herman Mankiewicz, George Schaefer, Louella Parsons, Louis B. Mayer, Gregg TolandSchaefer confronts Welles in an alley after the performance.
Orson Welles, George SchaeferLouis B. Mayer offers to buy the negative of Citizen Kane from Schaefer.
George Schaefer, Louis B. MayerHearst and Marion dance in the empty, stripped-down ballroom.
William Randolph Hearst, Marion DaviesSchaefer informs Welles that the studios want to destroy the film.
Orson Welles, Herman Mankiewicz, George Schaefer, Gregg TolandHearst and Marion walk through the public sale of his collection.
William Randolph Hearst, Marion DaviesWelles struggles with a card trick and leaves in frustration.
Orson WellesWelles finds peace gazing at the stars.
Orson WellesWelles pleads with the board to save his film.
Orson Welles, George SchaeferSchaefer tells Welles the film will open.
Orson Welles, George SchaeferWelles and Hearst share an elevator ride.
Orson Welles, William Randolph HearstThe premiere of Citizen Kane.
Orson Welles, Herman Mankiewicz, George SchaeferWelles, Mank, and Schaefer discuss the film before the screening.
Orson Welles, Herman Mankiewicz, George SchaeferThe audience watches Citizen Kane.
George SchaeferWelles and Mank drink after the premiere.
Orson Welles, Herman MankiewiczMy father and I made a tour of the grand boulevards of antique Europe. And when we were in Iberia I had the chance to face the bulls. At the knee of the great Manolete I took up the cape and sword -- across from me stood a mammoth bull reputed to have gored a full seven men to a grisly demise! So -- with Manolete shouting encouragement I flourished . . . I flourished again . . . and the bull charged! Across the golden dust it came, thundering like the great minotaur of legend, closer, ever closer, its calamitous hooves pounding into the dirt, shaking the earth as I held the crimson eye of the bull with my own, defying it -- it was almost upon me and I flourished one last time! -- the monster swept past! -- and my sword was gone -- buried in the bloody eye of the beast!
You may think you know what you're talking about, kid, but believe me, you don't. You're talking about going into a battle you can never win on a battlefield so far above things like movies and Hollywood that Hearst won't even have to glance down when he crushes you. When he flicks you away with one finger. I'm talking about money and influence and evil beyond your capacity to imagine Hell.
Just wait. So one night I notice Pops getting outta bed and sneaking away. And he's got this little p-p-paper bag with him, right? Middle of the night. So I figure the old man's really up to no good this time and I follow him. Well I'll be g-g-goddamned if he's not springing all the traps and leaving cheese for the rats!
When I'm an old coot playing dominoes down in Miami Beach fifty years from now, I'll say, "Hey, you kids ever heard of a guy named Randolph Hearst?" And they'll say, "Nope. Never heard of him." And then I'll say, "Hey, you ever heard of a picture called CITIZEN KANE?" And they will have. That's enough for me.
We will buy the movie and we will destroy it. We will assemble a fund between us -- privately, not studio money -- we will assemble this fund and we will go to George Schaefer and we will buy the negative and every print of CITIZEN KANE and we will burn them.
No, it's perfect! When in doubt, put on a cape! False noses and faux beards and flowing capes have been the life-blood of the actor's craft since the days of lrving and Booth. Imagine me in a glittering suit of lights on the dusky Andalusian plains--
Look, Mank, this is our only chance. I know this is the story. And now is the time. And I cannot do it without you. Everything in my life -- all the promise and potential and dreams -- have led to this moment right now. To you and me. Right here.
You are made for the light, Orson Now you must blow out your candles. But you must always remember, the cake itself is nothing. The flame, the lights, that is where your future lies. You must have a dream. A great dream worthy of you.
SlugDB turns parsed screenplays into scene, character, dialogue, trivia, semantic search, Save the Cat, and API-ready analysis.
Use SlugDB when you need screenplay API data, movie dialogue search, character evidence, scene context, or MCP tools without building a scraper first.