Secrecy's the Best Policy . . .

Rating: 10/10 (25 August 2012)

. . . that is, if you want to enhance chances for creating a great artwork. Chaplin knew this, and he reportedly distracted bankers who came to his set to see for themselves what was going on. Chaplin and his child star Jackie Coogan did flatfoot and shimmy routines that delighted and diffused their uptight backers.
So Welles dazzled his inquisitive studio and banking chiefs with displays of magical disappearing acts and levitations. All the while crating a masterpiece behind the closed doors of his set.
It was to Welles' good and bad fortune that he convinced Nelson Rockefeller to add additional funding when the original "Kane" money was running low. While the production was able to be completed, Welles found himself owing Rockefeller. This debt was reportedly paid in the form of being pulled away from the completion of "The Magnificent Ambersons" to do "It's All True" at Rockefeller's bequest. The consequence: studio editing of "Ambersons" without Welles' approval.
It's all about art vs. business, and fortunately "Ambersons" turned out well, despite the studio cutting. The negative side was Welles' being placed on a list of hard-to-work-with personalities in the profession.
There's been enough said about the value of "Kane" among these user reviews, so may these remarks serve as a tiny footnote.