Updated on October 25: The letter was sold by Lion Heart Autographs for $6,500. The winning bidder was not identified.
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By RAY KELLY
William Randolph Hearst denied he kept mention of Orson Welles out of the pages of his newspapers or knew what Citizen Kane was about in a handwritten draft letter now on the auction block.
Seemingly written shortly after the film’s release in 1941, the letter is penned in response to a query from an unidentified individual, who suggested Hearst ordered Welles’ name be omitted from his newspapers. Incredulously, Hearst claimed he did not know what Citizen Kane was about, but disputed the assertion that “the majority of movie-goers have enjoyed the picture.”
“Variety called the picture a flop. Most of the reviews are unfavorable and I am told the attendance…small,” the letter stated.
In preparing his 2016 book Citizen Kane: A Filmmaker’s Journey, author Harlan Lebo researched Hearst’s papers at the Bancroft Library at University of California at Berkeley. Lebo told Wellesnet in an interview last year that the papers included “communications from Hearst’s personal assistant Joseph Willicombe with orders to every Hearst unit to boycott RKO and Citizen Kane – orders which were described as coming directly from ‘The Chief’.”
Bidding on the undated, six-page letter begins at $1,000, according to Lion Heart Autographs of New York. The auction closes on October 25.
Hearst’s letter mentions MGM producer Harry Rapf, known for his work on such films as Brown of Harvard, Scene of the Crime and How to Sleep.
Here is the full text of the letter, courtesy of Lion Heart Autographs:
“My dear Sir,
I do not think your questions are impertinent. I see no reason why they should not be asked and answered – briefly.
First I have not seen Citizen Kane. I do not know what the picture is about. I did not read the book it is supposed to have been taken from. I do not read critical or flattering books about myself. Both are generally wrong.
I have not ordered that the name of Orson Welles name be omitted from my newspapers. – nor is it omitted. [Next word struck through] Apparently I have seen it there recently. Apparently you do not read my papers – which is your privilege. I do not think ‘the majority of movie-goers have enjoyed the picture’ I do not think the [Next word struck through] many majority have seen it. [Next section struck through, ending with “small”]
Variety called the picture a flop. Most of the reviews are unfavorable and I am told the attendance…small The public does not seem to be interested in your humble servant. I do not see why they should be. In fact I do not see why Mr. Welles should be. [Next five words struck through] However some of my friends Nor do I see why I should be. I left the treatment of the picture entirely in the hands of my friends. That in such cases is always the best thing to do.
I remember the case of Harry Rapf a very fine and very popular gentleman in Hollywood. Somebody at a stage benefit made some humorous remarks about Mr. Rapf. The audience was cold and the comedian felt that he had made a mistake. After the performance he said to Mr. Rapf, ‘I would like to apologize I did not mean to offend you.’ ‘Don’t apologize to me” said Mr. Rapf. ‘I am not offended. Maybe however you should apologize to my friends.’
Perhaps my dear sir I had friends who did not like the picture [Next 14 words struck through] and their unfavorable expressions were responsible for the belief that I did not like Perhaps they criticized it or [Next word struck through] staid stayed away from it. [Next seven words struck through] Or perhaps the picture was just dull Somebody did. Perhaps the public preferred to consider me as an ‘austere person’ – which God forbid that I should be instead of the ‘human’ person I earnestly strive to be. I really do not know and cannot say.
I have answered your questions to the best of my ability and I thank you for your kindly inquiries,
Sincerely”
The auction house estimated the Hearst letter could fetch between $3,000 and $4,000.
More details on the Lion Heart Autographs auction and how to bid may be found at https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/superb-w-r-hearst-draft-about-citizen-kane-53645F1B85
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