The movie got it's first public screening at RKO Palace in New York on this day.

Prior to it's opening, Orson Welles, the director, had battled media tycoon William Randolph Hearst who had attempted to suppress the film, and prevented adverts for the picture appearing in any of his papers.

Welles was only 25 when he made this picture: he produced, directed and co-wrote it, as well as being its star.

Citizen Kane lost $160,000 on opening, but it broke the mould with a number of it's camera techniques. Even to this day (2006) it is heralded by many as the greatest movie ever made.

[Our comedy review of this film is here]