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Mank 2020 Watch Full Movie

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Mank Watch Full Movie: The Untold Story Behind Citizen Kane

In 1940, Orson Welles was granted complete creative freedom for his next project by RKO, leading to the creation of a cinematic masterpiece. To craft the screenplay, Welles enlisted the help of Herman J. Mankiewicz, who was recuperating in Victorville, California, after a car accident left him with a broken leg. As Herman dictated the script to his secretary, Rita Alexander, she began to notice striking similarities between the film’s main character, Charles Foster Kane, and the real-life media mogul, William Randolph Hearst.

The Challenges of Screenwriting: Mank’s Struggles

Producer John Houseman expressed concern over Herman’s dense and nonlinear screenplay, while Herman’s brother, Joseph, worried that the content might provoke the powerful Hearst. The tension surrounding the screenplay’s creation was palpable, as the stakes were high for everyone involved.

Flashback to 1930, when Herman visited an MGM location and recognized the female lead, Marion Davies. Their connection was immediate, and she introduced him to Hearst, her benefactor and lover, who took a liking to Herman. This encounter would prove pivotal in the unfolding drama of Hollywood politics.

Hollywood Politics and Personal Connections

In 1933, Herman and his wife, Sara, attended a lavish birthday party for Louis B. Mayer at Hearst Castle, surrounded by Hollywood elites. Conversations turned to the rise of Nazi Germany and the upcoming gubernatorial election, particularly focusing on candidate Upton Sinclair. During a stroll, Herman and Marion bonded over their shared interests in politics and the film industry, deepening their connection.

Fast forward to 1940, Houseman grew increasingly impatient with Herman’s lack of progress on the screenplay. Rita, concerned about the timing and Herman’s struggles with alcoholism, urged him to finish. Despite the challenges, Herman completed the screenplay just in time, impressing Houseman, who reminded him that he would receive no credit for his work.

The Smear Campaign: A Dark Chapter in Hollywood

In 1934, Herman and Joseph began working at MGM under Mayer, where they faced the harsh realities of Hollywood politics. Studio executives, including Irving Thalberg, actively campaigned against Sinclair, producing propaganda films funded by Hearst to undermine his gubernatorial bid. Herman attempted to persuade Marion to pull the films, but she had already left for Warner Bros.

On election night, Herman and Sara attended a watch party at the Trocadero Nightclub, where Mayer announced the winner, Frank Merriam. The atmosphere was heavy with tension, especially after the tragic suicide of Herman’s colleague, director Shelly Metcalf, who was consumed by guilt over his role in the smear campaign, despite his personal support for Sinclair.

Pressure Mounts: The Final Stages of Screenwriting

In 1940, Charles Lederer picked up the screenplay from Herman to deliver it to the studio. After reading it, Joseph visited Herman, warning him of Hearst’s potential reaction and its implications for Marion. Despite the risks, Joseph believed it was Herman’s finest work. Marion also visited, trying to persuade Herman to alter the screenplay, but he remained steadfast in his vision, even as she vowed to stop the film from being made.

A Drunken Pitch and Its Consequences

In 1937, Herman crashed a party at Hearst Castle, where he drunkenly pitched the idea for the film that would later become a classic. His boldness offended many, including Hearst, Mayer, and Marion. An enraged Mayer revealed that Herman was on Hearst’s payroll, branding him a court jester. Hearst, in turn, shared an allegory about a monkey and an organ grinder, dismissing Herman from the gathering.

The Final Showdown: Credit and Recognition

Despite mounting pressure from Hearst, Welles was determined to proceed with the film and intended to rewrite the script without Herman’s input. He visited Herman, offering a buyout from the studio. However, Herman, refusing to back down, demanded credit for the script, declaring it his greatest work. An upset Welles left angrily after expressing his frustration over Herman’s stance.

Ultimately, Herman received joint credit with Welles, and their collaboration was recognized when they won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for the film “Citizen Kane” two years later. This victory solidified Herman’s legacy in Hollywood history.