The New York Times Book Review - Tom Carson
…probably the most thorough account yet of the genesis, production and release of Welles's most famous film…Though a lot of the material here will be familiar to Welles buffs—the key collaboration with the cinematographer Gregg Toland, the vexed question of whether Welles or his co-scenarist, Herman J. Mankiewicz, deserves more credit for the script, and so on—it's never been presented this comprehensively. Lebo is especially good at recounting the maneuvers to suppress the film once word got around that it was based on the life of William Randolph Hearst and Hearst's minions wheeled into action.
Publishers Weekly - Audio
08/29/2016
Lebo pays tribute to Orson Welles’s masterpiece Citizen Kane in this history of the film’s production and release, published just in time for its 75th anniversary. The book honors Welles’s filmmaking genius, but it also goes notably in-depth on Welles’s principal collaborators. Lebo’s detailed examination takes listeners from Welles’s success on the infamous War of the Worlds broadcast to the nuances of the Kane’s production to its complicated release, impaired by publisher William Randolph Hearst, who tried to prevent the film from coming out when he saw too much of himself in the morally shaky title character. Reader Zingarelli’s deep and projective voice is reminiscent of Orson Welles, which makes him a fun choice to read the audio edition. When the text quotes primary sources, he creates distinct voices that do not attempt to imitate the original speakers but are distinguished enough to guide the listener. His energetic pacing keeps Lebo’s prose lively—there is never a dull moment. A St. Martin’s/Dunne hardcover. (May)
Leonard Maltin
Here’s another book that overcame my skepticism. What didn’t I already know about Orson Welles and Citizen Kane? Quite a bit, it turns out—and high time for a refresher. This welcome update and expansion of a 1990 book in trade paperback form tells the whole story of Welles and his notorious debut film in a concise and straightforward manner. He settles the Herman Mankiewicz screenplay kerfuffle in short order, as the final shooting script lacks dialogue and entire scenes that Welles added or invented at the last minute.
From the Publisher
"[L]ibraries should be sure to have this on their shelves." ---Library Journal
From the Publisher - AUDIO COMMENTARY
"[L]ibraries should be sure to have this on their shelves." —Library Journal
Library Journal
02/15/2016
Hot on the heels of Orson Welles's centenary in 2015, we have the 75th anniversary of Citizen Kane. Numerous accounts have been published about what many consider the greatest film ever made, but the last comprehensive book devoted specifically to the film's creation was James Naremore's Orson Welles's Citizen Kane: A Casebook. In this, Lebo's second book on the film (after Citizen Kane: The Fiftieth Anniversary Album), the author gives as full a view of Kane and its origins as has ever been written. With access to "previously unpublished material," he begins with Welles's arrival in Hollywood, moves through every stage of production—featuring all of the key collaborators, of which there were many—and concludes with the eventual yet belated recognition of the production's greatness in the 1950s and its now established place in film history. Aside from this thorough study, it's Lobe's engaging writing style that is the chief feature of this volume. VERDICT Devotees of Welles or Citizen Kane will love this work, and all libraries should have it on their shelves.—Peter Thornell, Hingham P.L., MA
MAY 2016 - AudioFile
Narrator Tom Zingarelli delivers an entirely fascinating and straightforward performance of Lebo’s memoir. The audiobook provides an articulate discussion of the concept, filming, and release of the 1941 black-and-white RKO Radio film classic CITIZEN KANE. Despite the political machinations brought to bear by the Hearst Corporation, both Lebo and Zingarelli keep the unfolding story listenable and easy to assimilate. At the time, many believed that Hearst WAS Kane in reality. A single criticism of the production must be offered, however. Inconsistent and mistaken pronunciation of film character names and other icons of the film industry is unforgivable. Had producers devoted the two hours it would have required to view the original film, some of the mispronunciations could have been eliminated. Nonetheless, this audiobook is worthwhile listening. W.A.G. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2016-01-26
Everything you wanted to know about one of the greatest films of all time—and then some. Orson Welles (1915-1985) could read when he was 2 and discuss politics at 3, and he wrote his first play at 9—or maybe that's just a myth he started. But it's widely accepted that the first film Welles co-wrote, directed, produced, and starred in is one of the truly great films. Lebo (The Godfather Legacy, 19997, etc.) agrees, and he makes a convincing case with this fascinating, in-depth story of the film's making. Not only does he describe how the film was made, from beginning to end and afterward, but he also includes any film lover's candy: cast and production credits, a conversation with Bernard Herrmann, who did the score, a detailed scene-by-scene guide (with running times), the film's budget (actor Everett Sloane, who played Mr. Bernstein, received a $2,400 payment to shave his head), and more. After successes in radio and drama, the 25-year-old wunderkind was able to negotiate a contract with RKO to make two movies with the "most liberal creative terms ever granted to a director working within the confines of the traditional studio system." Lebo skillfully sorts through the controversy of who exactly wrote the Kane screenplay. Herman J. Mankiewicz and John Houseman began work on a screenplay loosely based on the life of William Randolph Hearst. There were multiple drafts, with Welles editing each along the way. Commenting on the unconventional and difficult filming techniques used, cinematographer Gregg Toland said it "had to be done!" When film editor Robert Wise reviewed daily rushes, he felt they were on to "something very special." Extensive quotes from many participants add a real immediacy to the story, and Lebo splendidly chronicles all the drama, infighting, ups and downs, excitement, and genius that went into creating Welles' masterpiece. Published to coincide with the film's 75th anniversary, this book is a gold mine for fans.
