Let’s raise ‘Kane’ to its rightful place in film history

Some of the best times I’ve had at the movies have come during retrospectives. Of course, when I first began watching foreign films in the early ‘70s, most film sceeenings, to me, were virtual retrospectives in and of themselves. Even when the films had been out for a number of years — French New Wave offerings such as “The 400 Blows” or “Hiroshima, Mon Amour,” or Japanese classics such as “Ugetsu Monogatari” of “The Seven Samurai” — they were new to me.

As was “Citizen Kane” when I first watched it. This was in San Diego, circa 1972. I had returned to my home town following my stint in the Army, and at the time I was attending UC-San Diego. In those days, I was trying to see as many movies as I could. And with as many friends as I could gather, I’d drive everywhere, from Chula Vista to Carlsbad, to check out mainstream theaters, drive-ins and arthouses (such as La Jolla’s Unicorn Theatre ).

One night, when I was living in Pacific Beach, I was among a group who drove to the campus of San Diego State to see a screening of Orson Welles’ 1941 film. I’d grown up hearing about “Kane,” how it was groundbreaking, how it skewered William Randolph Hearst , how it was one of the best films ever made, etc., etc. But, really, I wanted to see for myself.

So we drove up I-5, then I-8 east to the university. We managed to find where the film was screening, which was in some — as I recall — smallish classroom. And, for reasons that are many and varied, we were running late.

Which is why we walked in just as the film was starting. And I remember trying to find my seat just as, out of the darkness, the bright image of a faux newsreel exploded on the screen accompanied by the narrator’s blared announcement, “Time Marches On!”

I was, as they say, immediately transfixed. This was, mind you, nearly 40 years ago — which, I’m absurdly aware, was barely 30 years after “Citizen Kane” was first released. And I recognize that so much has changed in the world, from smart phones to film tastes that run far more toward “Armageddon” than anything remotely cerebral and serious, not to mention patiently paced.

But if you want to see one of the greatest — if not THE greatest — films ever made, a film that was so advanced for its time many critics and most movie fans simply didn’t know what to make of it, a film that paved the way for so many films to come over the next couple of decades, then you have to see the film that Welles made.

And you’ll have a chance to do just that. As part of a Classic Movie Series that’s being held at the Bing Crosby Theater, “Kane” will show at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The series is sponsored by a group calling itself Advocates for the Bing Crosby Theater. According to a press release, the group’s president, Eastern Washington University Prof. Bill Stimson , had this to say regarding the film schedule:

“We’re calling this series The Best Ever because these films have been considered the standard by which all subsequent films dealing with similar themes are compared with.”

The other films:

Oct. 19: “The Adventures of Robin Hood,” 7 p.m.

Oct. 28: “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein,” 6 p.m.; “The Body Snatcher,” 7:30 p.m.; “Nosferatu,” 9 p.m.

Nov. 16: “Singin’ in the Rain,” 7 p.m.

All movies ask for a suggested $5 donation. For more information, click here.

Some interesting selections there, though I’m not sure, considering what Stimson has to say about presumed influence, about including the Abbott and Costello film. Maybe I better go and hear the explanation.

Until then, remember: Rooooooosssssebud!

Below : The trailer for “Citizen Kane.”