Citizen Kane
"Citizen Kane" is an American film, directed by Orson Welles.
References
In Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish the scene where Mr. Burns is trying to be elected as governor in front of a large black and white poster of his own face references the scene where Kane is trying to be elected as president. Also when Burns' election campaign plummets he shouts: "You can't do this to me: I'm Charles Montgomery Burns!" In "Citizen Kane" Kane says the same thing when he fails to be elected: "You can't do this to me: I'm Charles Foster Kane."[1]
When Homer watches the play A Streetcar Named Desire he amuses himself by playing with a piece of paper, similar to the bored Joseph Cotten in the theatre audience in "Citizen Kane".[2]
When Sideshow Bob is elected major of Springfield the great poster behind him is similar to the one in "Citizen Kane!"[3]
In the episode Rosebud Mr. Burns' manor where he lies dying with a snow ball in his hand is a parody of the opening scenes of the film. Also the flashback where Mr. Burns leaves his teddy bear Bobo behind to go along with a rich millionaire and leave his parents references a similar scene where Charles Foster Kane is told to leave his parents for a richer life. Kane then leaves his sled behind.[4]
In the episode Marge Gets a Job Smithers' dance act for Mr. Burns is a direct parody of a dance act organised for Charles Foster Kane in "Citizen Kane".[5]
In Moe's new tavern a sled with the name "Rosebud" can be seen, in reference to the film.[6]
The third segment of Treehouse of Horror VII is named "Citizen Kang".[7]
Once when the Simpsons were in the Mall they see a cane in a glass case and Lisa comments "Oh, look, there's the cane from Citizen Kane," and then Homer, Marge and Bart give each other confused looks and walk off purposefully, leading Lisa to reprimand herself: "Wait a minute... there was no cane in Citizen Kane".[8]
When Orson Welles visits Springfield in 1938 Chief Wiggum threatens him: "... Or I'll kick you in the nose, bud", whereupon Welles mutters "Nosebud", in reference to "Rosebud" from "Citizen Kane". [9]
Appearances
Episode – "Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish" - Episode – "A Streetcar Named Marge"
- Episode – "Sideshow Bob Roberts"
- Episode – "Rosebud"
- Episode – "Marge Gets a Job"
- Episode – "Bart Sells His Soul"
- Episode – "Treehouse of Horror VII"
- Episode – "Guess Who's Coming to Criticize Dinner?"
- Episode – "Treehouse of Horror XVI"
