Citizen Kane

Sound Design
Components of the soundtrack:
Dialogue
Dialogue is VERY Important in this film
The whole film is structured around the word “Rosebud”
Clearly this word, as evidenced, by the burning sleigh at the end relates back to Kane’s childhood
His parents sent him off and clearly he always yearned for love through the rest of his life
He continually promises (promises are another prominent element talked about in the dialogue) people things so for his own benefit/so they will love him
Kane’s statues (and other belongings), which are talked about in this film, clearly represent an attempt to fill this need with material items
The statues themselves are almost human like so perhaps this is Kane’s way of filling his need for people to love him
Off-screen voice
First Person Singular (I)
In instances when actual characters such as Bernstein are recounting their memories, they serve is off-screen voices
Normally this occurs in the transitions between the memories to the present again
Authoritative Voice
There is a voice the viewer does not see during the “News on March” sequence when the announcer is discussing Kane’s deeds and his life
Singing
There is singing multiple times throughout the film.
There is a man that sings a song clearly titled “It can’t be love” during Susan and Kane’s picnic
However, the largest amount of singing comes from Susan during the opera
Singing is used to create meaning in the montages (see below)
Music
Source music
Music occurs along with the singing
For example, the orchestra accompanies Susan’s singing in the opera
It is also used to create meaning (see montages)
The characters can clearly hear this music and we can see their sources (voice, instruments, etc.)
Underscoring
Music that occurs during the ending credits, for example, is underscoring because the characters cannot hear it
Sound Effect/Natural Sound
Like other movies, sound effects exist in this film. These effects include:
When Kane kicks the