Citizen Kane Message Board
Steven P Hill posts a message on 1/3/2007 3:07:38 PM
The minor composer-conductor ARTHUR KAY (1881-1969) is listed in the credits of "Kane" as playing the on-camera role of an orchestra conductor. (Kay had appeared on camera a few previous times, in the same sort of roles, as did other conductors like Alfred Newman, Richard Hageman, Bernard Herrmann, etc.) But in "Kane" I can't spot Kay. is he actuallly SEEN on camera anywhere in "Kane" -- or was he left on the cutting room floor?
Best wishes to all, Steven P Hill, University of Illinois.
Ezekiel Steiner posts a message on 10/23/2006 2:56:56 PM
The effects of the film - whether we are talking of lighting, camera angles, or mise-en-scene - are to exaggerate the 'real,' the 'everyday,' for the purpose of exposing the inner sense of reality. No matter how monstrous or grotesque the film becomes, though, it is still a realistic film realistically attempting t depict reality. One of its wonders is that we see the everyday world fresh, new, as we've never seen it before. The world is transformed for us by Welles' genius, and the most mundane incident is charged with meaning, wit, irony, and splendor. Ezekiel Steiner
Ezekiel Zeke Steiner posts a message on 11/2/2005 1:44:02 PM
With the help of the brilliant musical director, Bernard Herrmann, who had never worked on a film before, Welles Expands the use of music to build and structure his film. The same musical phrases will recur at seemingly unrelated moments, tying the scenes together. Or be subtly changed each time they appear anew. A melody such as the "What is his name?" tune is sung vigorously at the Inquirer Party, is heard again played more aggressively at the political rally, becomes sadder after the election defeat, and reappears behind the credits. The breakfast scene between Kane and Emily was cut to correspond to the music, Welles patterning the montage of shots, one shot successively superimposed on and then replacing another, to follow the movement of what Herrmann called his "ballet suite." Music had seldom been used so cleverly or given such an important role in a film before.
Note: the views expressed here are only those of the posters.
