MOVIES - Jan. 31, 1989

“Citizen Kane” is headed for the paint pots. Color tests are under way on the 1941 Orson Welles classic, heading it toward full colorization by Turner Entertainment Co. and American Film Technologies. The Directors Guild of America has been particularly vocal in protesting the colorizing of past film classics, and Elliot Silverstein, chairman of the DGA’s President’s Committee, says the coloring of “Citizen Kane” is “sickening . . . a gross representation” of Welles’ work. He said the committee would check Welles’ contract and if it shows he had the right of approval of cameraman, art director, costume directors and the like, the colorizing would be a violation of Welles’ original contract and Turner Entertainment “would be in for some very serious trouble.”