Posted on 06/09/2004 10:20:02 PM PDT by quidnunc
If I understand correctly the left’s dismissal of Ronald Reagan, it’s that he was a third-rate B-movie ham of no consequence and simultaneously such an accomplished actor he was able to fool the American people into believing he was a real President rather than a mere cue-card reader for the military-industrial complex. These would appear at first glance to be somewhat inconsistent characterisations, but they can be reconciled if you have as exquisitely condescending a view of the American people as, say, Gore Vidal.
Phrases like “bit player” and “B-movie” get bandied about a lot by the Reagan disparagers, especially in Britain. But they’re both terms with precise definitions, and they don’t apply to most of his quarter-century in motion pictures. He was a B-movie actor for a couple of years — and why not? He was a sports announcer at WHO radio in Des Moines who talked his way into a test at Warner Brothers, not some trained stage actor from Broadway trying his luck on the coast.
Max Arnow at Warner’s liked the natural ease and the smile as broad as a prairie sunrise (in repose the mouth was a little too small). The hair was a problem — close-cut with a centre-parting — and they thought the name sounded sissy. But they replaced the former with a prototype pompadour and, after that, the name didn’t seem so bad. With slight modifications, he kept the pompadour right to the end.
They cast the radio announcer as a radio announcer. In Love Is On The Air (1937), he uses his microphone to take on the corrupt city government and finds himself downgraded to kiddie-show host. But he fights back, comes through and gets the girl (June Travis). Reagan’s best B movies are the peppy, pulpy quartet he made in 1939-40 as Brass Bancroft, Secret Service agent. He remains the only fictional Secret Service agent to wind up with his own detail of real Secret Service agents. Very cool. But the character’s fun in his own right, too.
-snip-
(Excerpt) Read more at steynonline.com ...
Beautiful article.
This is where he had his first major exposure to Communists who were trying to infiltrate the film industry. Interesting stuff...and rarely included in Reagan stories.
The Guild has been busy in recent years sending him down the memory hole in order to prove the thesis of so many of their members that communism really wasn't bad and meant well. They, and Ted Kennedy and so many members of the Democrat Party still can't forgive Ronnie for dealing communism such a devastating blow. If only they had been allowed to run it, communism would have been good. It's soooo "progressive."
Just two words need to be said to debunk the B list actor canard....King's Row
I think what Reagan loved to be was corny. Really, corny. A little over-the-top dramatic in an aw shucks kind of way. He played that role in the movies, and it gave him a kind of audacity in his political life. No one else ever thought to stand at the Brandenberg Gate and demand that the Berlin Wall be torn down. All of the 'intellectuals' would have thought that that notion was simplistic, maybe even corny. Ronald Reagan didn't care. Ronald Reagan favored the corny flair for the dramatic. What other president would have dared to utter those words? Reagan, amiable dunce Reagan, had a corny flair for the dramatic that will cause his words to live far longer than anyone will ever care for his critcs.
STATEMENT OF SAG PRESIDENT MELISSA GILBERT
ON THE PASSING OF FORMER SAG, U.S. PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN
Los Angeles, CA (June 5, 2004) – Screen Actors Guild (SAG) President Melissa Gilbert issued the following statement on the death of former President Ronald Reagan, who served as president of SAG from 1947 to 1952 and again from 1959 to 1960:
"Ronald Reagan presided over Screen Actors Guild at one of the most challenging moments in our union's history, as the rise of television significantly impacted the compensation and working conditions for the nation's screen actors. Under his tenure, SAG grew significantly in size and influence as the Guild tackled issues ranging from runaway production, to fair compensation, to unity in an increasingly complex industry – all issues that remain timely to working actors today.
"It can be said that Ronald Reagan got his start in politics at Screen Actors Guild. He served as president of the union twice, from 1947 to 1952 and again from 1959 to 1960. While President Reagan's politics grew conservative over the years and, at times, at odds with the nation's labor movement, there can be no question that he devoted years of his life to advancing the wages, benefits and working conditions of his fellow actors. He leaves behind an enduring legacy to this industry, as he does to the country as a whole. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family today."
A classy statement, from someone undoubtedly at odds with RWR -- and us -- politically.
Brief, honest and respectful.
If Bill Clinton is wondering why no one let him bloviate at the funeral, it may be because no one believes he has the self-discipline to make a statement such as Ms. Gilbert's.
d.o.l.
Criminal Number 18F
I'm not so sure about current SAG President Melissa Gilbert. IIRC she won a tight election over a candidate touted as being more liberal. She's married to Bruce Boxleitner and although I don't know his politics I doubt he's a stereotypical Hollywood lib. On the Season 5, Babylon 5 DVD set extras he ("John Sheridan") and Jerry Doyle ("Michael Garibaldi") celebrated getting F16 rides and pulling 9Gs. Doyle actually ran for Congress as a conservative republican. I'm not claiming Gilbert is the next R.R., but I doubt she's the next B.S. either.
a good summary of Reagan the actor.
Trivia question: What is the Heilein novel (Science fiction) where an injured presidential candidate is replaced with an actor, who actually becomes a wonderful president after the real candidate dies? That novel always reminded me of Reagan...
I was thinking AMC would run his movies this week. They has disappointed me.
Boxleitner was with Morgan Fairchild at the library viewing.
I think Turner classic movies is played King's Row earlier this evening, and is having a Ronald Reagan marathon...http://turnerclassicmovies.com/MovieNews/Index/0,,77681,00.html
8:00 AM Love is On the Air (1937) (first starring role)
9:00 AM Accidents will Happen (1938)
10:15 AM Angels Wash Their Faces (1939)
11:45 AM Tugboat Annie Sails Again (1940)
1:15 PM Santa Fe Trail (1940)
3:15 PM One for the Book (1947)
5:00 PM Night Unto Night (1949)
6:30 PM Prisoner of War (1954)
8:00 PM Kings Row (1942)
10:15 PM Desperate Journey (1942)
12:15 AM The Last Outpost (1951)
2:00 AM John Loves Mary (1949)
3:45 AM An Angel from Texas (1940)
5:00 AM Sergeant Murphy (1938)
6:00 AM Hell's Kitchen (1939)
Ronald Reagan (1911-2004)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.