By the time of her death, Davies' legacy as a talented actress was already overshadowed by her popular association with the character of Susan Alexander Kane in the film "Citizen Kane" (1941). The title character's second wife—an untalented singer whom he tries to promote—was widely assumed to be based upon Davies. However, many commentators, including writer-director Orson Welles, defended Davies' record as a gifted actress and comédienne to whom Hearst's patronage did more harm than good. In his final years, Welles attempted to correct the widespread misconceptions which the film had created about Davies' popularity and talents as an actress.