Hearst, “god of Hollywood” he controlled the media outlets (newspapers).
The movie scandalized Hearst. Did Hearst try to buy the film and destroy it?
Hired a woman to collapse on the street and another person to jump off a boat for the story.
Went after enemies, attacked southern pacific railroad, he was like a dog that grabs hold of your leg.
Wells understood Hearst – His career was build on controversy, so he thought he could take on a controversy with Hearst
Wells didn’t have a childhood, declared a genius, child prodigy.
Arrived in New York in late teens, was going to revolutionize theater.
Wells was in charge of Macbeth, 4 men attacked him outside the theater
Artistically ambitious.
Wells was in demand for the radio. But also needed to do a few plays. To get places fast he would hire ambulances.
First play for the Mercury was Julius Caesar against the Nazi regime. – Still regarded as the single most important Shakespeare play in the US ever done.
“Exerted so much power, so much authority”
Hearst ran for congress and served for two terms but never showed up.
He bought other papers. He became a nationwide chain.
The newspaper was the main media source, there was a newspaper war. People were killed.
His paper called for President McKinley to be shot twice, eventually someone did.
Bt 1912 Hearst was a public joke.
Wells used the radio recklessly. He was unbound by rules. The radio would rehearse like a week before and he would arrive and would change almost everything.
Radio was the most popular instant media.
Wells radio broadcast on the war of the worlds book created chaos. People thought it was real. Rather than a horrible backlash, Wells was granted a contract in Hollywood that would lead to the creation of Citizen Kane.
Hearst was depicted as in isolation in his castle.
Hearst shoving Marian Davies down the publics throat. She was featured in the newspapers almost always.
Davies would hold events and parties in the castle.
At Hearst’s peak he was nearly 25% of the world’s art market.
Citizen Kane branded Marian Davies. “It was a dirty trick” – Wells
Orson’s Hollywood contract was unlike any other, he had full control over casting, directing, editing, and all other aspects of the film.
His contract demanded two films. His first two films failed, never went out.
Herman J. Mankiewicz – screenwriter for wells. He stuck around. He proposed the story of Hearst, Wells saw this as his last best chance.
