I hate to admit it, but I need to have this one spelled out for me. I don’t get it. What the heck was Rosebud? Was there some hidden purpose to this movie that I don’t get? Classics are usually classic for a reason. The cinematography was brilliant, but as far as the plot goes I just don’t get it.
Rosebud was “just another piece of the puzzle.” That’s stated explicitly.
Structurally, it’s the McGuffin – the item that drives the plot, which is an exploration of the character of Kane.
Making it the sled indicates that it’s also a symbol of what he lost by becoming rich (watch it again and you’ll notice he rams the sled into Thatcher when Kane is told he’s going away). The sled is also left behind when he does go.
The symbol is a strong one, but ultimately it does not explain Kane entirely.
William R. Hearst (the fascist) had a mistress, Miriam Davies/Davis (not certain).
She lived in the small house near the gate at San Simeon.
Rumor is that ‘Rosebud’ was WRH’s pet nicname for for Miriam’s ‘most private part’.
This would explain why WHR took such offense at the film.
[qoute]According to an essay written for the New York Review of Books by Gore Vidal (a close friend of Hearst’s) “Rosebud” was Hearst’s name for long-time mistress Marion Davies’ clitoris.
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Actually, Hearst took offense not because of that (who beside him would know – even if it were true), but because he feared what the film would do to the reputation of Marion Davies. He believed people were so dumb that they’d actully believe that Susan Alexander Kane represented Davies.
Ultimately he was right. Though Susan was specifically created to be as unlike Davies as possible, most people somehow get the idea that Davies was a no-talent actress. In truth, she was a talented comediene, whose career was hurt more by her involvement with Hearst than it was helped.
previous threads:
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=46940
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=84302
from this page:
Pop culture level:
Ok, do you remember the Simpson’s episode where Monty Burns is cranky becasue he misses his boyhood teddy bear, Bo-bo? It’s like that.
Glad to help.
Just went to Hearst Castle a couple of weeks ago. Hoo-boy! Wrong guy to have all that money. A conservator’s nightmare.