Hearst's response Hearing about Citizen Kane enraged Hearst so much that he banned any advertising, reviewing, or mentioning of it in his papers, and had his journalists libel Welles. Welles used Hearst's opposition as a pretext for previewing the film in several opinion-making screenings in Los Angeles, lobbying for its artistic worth against the hostile campaign that Hearst was waging. A special press screening took place in early March. Henry Luce was in attendance and reportedly wanted to buy the film from RKO for $1 million to distribute it himself. The reviews for this screening were positive. A Hollywood Review headline read: "Mr. Genius Comes Through; 'Kane' Astonishing Picture". The Motion Picture Herald reported about the screening and Hearst's intention to sue RKO. Time wrote that "The objection of Mr. Hearst, who founded a publishing empire on sensationalism, is ironic. For to most of the several hundred people who have seen the film at private screenings, Citizen Kane is the most sensational product of the U.S. movie industry." A second press screening occurred in April.
Hearst's response Hearing about Citizen Kane enraged Hearst so much that he banned any advertising reviewing or mentioning of it in his papers and had his journalists libel Welles Welles used Hearst's opposition as a pretext for previewing the film in several opinion-making screenings in Los Angeles lobbying for its artistic worth against the hostile campaign that Hearst was waging A special press screening took place in early March Henry Luce was in attendance and reportedly wanted to buy the film from RKO for $1 million to distribute it himself The reviews for this screening were positive A Hollywood Review headline read "Mr Genius Comes Through; 'Kane' Astonishing Picture" The Motion Picture Herald reported about the screening and Hearst's intention to sue RKO Time wrote that "The objection of Mr Hearst who founded a publishing empire on sensationalism is ironic For to most of the several hundred people who have seen the film at private screenings Citizen Kane is the most sensational product of the US movie industry" A second press screening occurred in April