Citizen Kane Quiz: Rosebud, Xanadu and Orson Welles' Debut

This Citizen Kane quiz searches for the meaning of Rosebud in Orson Welles' famous debut. Play 10 interactive questions on Welles directing and starring at 25, co-writer Herman J. Mankiewicz, the Xanadu estate, the newsreel opening, William Randolph Hearst's anger, Gregg Toland's deep focus, ceilings in low angle shots and decades at the top of critics' polls.

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🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 150 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 150s

Year
When was Citizen Kane released?
Welles
How old was Orson Welles when he made it?
Word
What is Kane's dying word?
Answer
What turns out to be Rosebud?
Estate
What is Kane's vast Florida estate called?
Model
Which newspaper tycoon was Kane largely based on?
Writer
Who co-wrote the screenplay with Welles?
Oscar
Which Oscar did the film win?
Camera
Which cinematographer gave it deep focus shots?
Poll
How has the film fared in Sight and Sound critics' polls?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: When was Citizen Kane released?
Answer: 1941
RKO released it.
Q2: How old was Orson Welles when he made it?
Answer: About 25
He directed, co-wrote and starred.
Q3: What is Kane's dying word?
Answer: Rosebud
Reporters chase its meaning.
Q4: What turns out to be Rosebud?
Answer: His childhood sled
It burns at the end.
Q5: What is Kane's vast Florida estate called?
Answer: Xanadu
It is filled with collections.
Q6: Which newspaper tycoon was Kane largely based on?
Answer: William Randolph Hearst
He tried to suppress the film.
Q7: Who co-wrote the screenplay with Welles?
Answer: Herman J. Mankiewicz
They shared the Oscar.
Q8: Which Oscar did the film win?
Answer: Best Original Screenplay
It was its only win.
Q9: Which cinematographer gave it deep focus shots?
Answer: Gregg Toland
Near and far stay sharp.
Q10: How has the film fared in Sight and Sound critics' polls?
Answer: It topped them for decades
Vertigo replaced it in 2012.

Searching for Rosebud

Citizen Kane, released by RKO in 1941, was directed by Orson Welles, who also co-wrote and starred in it when he was about 25. It tells the life of newspaper tycoon Charles Foster Kane, who dies alone in Xanadu, his vast Florida estate, whispering the word Rosebud.

A newsreel opening sums up his public life, and a reporter interviews those who knew him to find Rosebud's meaning. The answer, seen only by the audience, is Kane's childhood sled, burned with his belongings. Kane was largely based on William Randolph Hearst, who tried to suppress the film.

Cinematographer Gregg Toland used deep focus to keep near and far sharp, and low angle shots showing ceilings. Welles and Herman J. Mankiewicz shared the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. The film topped the Sight and Sound critics' poll for decades until Vertigo replaced it in 2012.

What This Quiz Teaches

Classic movie fans will enjoy these questions.

Who made the film
What Rosebud means
Who inspired Kane
How it was shot
How critics ranked it

Did You Know?

Kane's newspaper is the Inquirer.
Bernard Herrmann wrote the score.
The opener shows a No Trespassing sign.
Snow globes open the story.
Kane runs for governor and loses.