In 1940 Orson Welles is given complete creative freedom for his next project by RKO. In Victorville, California, Herman J. Mankiewicz is recovering from a broken leg he sustained in a car accident. He receives a phone call from Welles, who has recruited him to write the screenplay for his new film. Herman dictates the script to his secretary, Rita Alexander, who writes it down.

Some years ago at Paramount Studios, Herman and other writers speak to David O. Selznick about a film they are writing. Herman heads to a film location where he and the female lead, Marion Davies recognize each other. She introduces him to William Randolph Hearst.

In 1940, producer John Houseman grows concerned that Herman's screenplay is too complicated for the masses to follow. Rita starts to notice parallels between Herman's characters and people he knows. Years earlier, Herman and his brother Joseph start to work with Louis B. Mayer at MGM, who is concerned with finances.

Joseph calls Herman to voice concerns over the new screenplay and that it may anger Hearst. In 1933, Herman and his wife Sara attend Mayer's birthday party at Hearst Castle with many Hollywood big wigs. They discuss Nazi Germany and local politics, including Upton Sinclair. Herman goes for a walk with Marion, where they talk about Hollywood and politics.

Houseman is concerned about how long it is taking to write the script and fears he and Herman will be fired. Welles has finished his work on Heart of Darkness and will now be turning his full attention to the new project. Rita is also concerned with the timing of the writing and Herman's alchoholism.

In 1934, Herman continues his work for MGM. Studio executives including Irving Thalberg actively work against Sinclair's campaign for governor of California as others try to form the Screen Writers Guild. In 1940. Herman finishes the screenplay. Houseman is impressed but concerned about Hearst's reaction to the main character.

In 1934, MGM produces smear campaign films against Sinclair, which Herman attempts to get pulled. In 1940 Charles Lederer picks up the screenplay to deliver to the studio. In 1934 Herman and Sara attend an MGM election night party, where Mayer announces the winner, Frank Merriam.

Joseph visits Herman in 1940 after reading the screenplay and is now even more concerned about Hearst's reaction and its effect on Marion, especially possible implications of Rosebud. He also believes it's the finest thing that Herman ever wrote. In 1934 Herman's friend and co-worker, Shelly Metcalf, shoots and kills himself after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, and having to make propaganda films for Merriam even though he supported Sinclair.

In 1940, Marion does her best to persuade Herman to change the screenplay but to no avail. She tells Herman she will try to stop the picture from getting made. In 1936 Herman attends Thalberg's funeral. In 1940 Welles calls Herman to inform him that RKO does not want to make the movie because of Hearst. Welles is determined to make it and wants to do a re-write with Herman. In 1937 Herman attends a party at Hearst Castle, where he drunkenly pitches the film he writes in 1940, offending Mayer and others until only he and Hearst remain. Hearst tells him an allegory about a monkey and an organ grinder and sees him out.

Welles visits Herman and offers him a buyout from the studio. Herman wants credit for the script, believing it is the best thing he has ever written. Welles is upset and tells Herman that he has gone to bat for him. He leaves angrily. In 1942 Herman and Welles win the Academy Award for best original screenplay for the film.Source:Wikipedia

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