Citizen Kane "Stage" magazine compared the film's narrative to "Faust" and made no mention of Hearst. The film was scheduled to premiere at RKO's flagship theater Radio City Music Hall on February 14, but in early January 1941 Welles was not finished with post-production work and told RKO that it still needed its musical score. Writers for national magazines had early deadlines and so a rough cut was previewed for a select few on January 3, 1941 for such magazines as "Life", "Look" and "Redbook". Gossip columnist Hedda Hopper (and Hollywood correspondent for Hearst papers Louella Parsons' arch rival) showed up to
Reap the Wild Wind Fighting Seabees, Sands of Iwo Jima", and "The Shootist". The 11th is "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance", though his character was dead at the beginning of the film and his death was not depicted in the film. This film also marks the final appearance by Hedda Hopper as an actress in a significant role. The gossip columnist would, however, make cameo appearances in subsequent films. At the 15th Academy Awards, "Reap the Wild Wind" won an Academy Award and was nominated for two more: "Reap the Wild Wind" received two awards in "The Film Daily"'s Filmdom's Famous Fives poll: