Rosebud/Lederer

[LARSSON at VAX1.Mankato.MSUS.EDU]

John Boylan reports:
"The story that "Rosebud" referred to Hearst's pet name of Marion  
Davies's clitoris was first circulated by Gore Vidal. This was in '89
I believe. Said the information came from Charles Lederer, a screenwriter
and friend of Mankiewicz (co-writer of CK). This Lederer was also a nephew
of Davies and a frequent guest at Hearst's San Simeon home, and was, in
1940, briefly engaged to Welles's ex-wife."

Not just engaged--he and Virginia Nichols (Welles) married, and he wound up
adopting the child of Welles and the ex-missus.  

Mere coincidence?  Or subject of Darker Forces in the Universe?

There was an article about the importance of CITIZEN KANE and "Rosebud"
in particular to contemporary audiences several years ago in CINEMA JOURNAL.
The sexual connotations were part of the topic.

Compare Blicero on Gottfried's "rosebud"!

Don Larsson, Mankato State U (MN)