Posted on 06/09/2004 10:16:25 PM PDT by Dont Mention the War
I just called NY SAG and they do not have a Ronald Reagan plaque, statue, or even his name displayed on a list of being a President of the Screen Actor*s Guild. I conveyed my feeling of shock and dismay and stated my opinion. I mentioned how I thought it incomprehinsible that they wouldn*t be Proud of a President of the Screen Actor*s Guild becoming President of the United States.
No kidding. He had incredible vision. Residuals made all of them rich in the post-video era. I can imagine he was criticized for taking such a strong stance when residuals weren't such a big deal anyway. They ought to have a Church of Ronald Reagan out there.
John Wayne would find it appalling that you would put James Cagneys name next to his. JC was on the 'other side'; a member of the Free World Alliance which was founded by a 'anti-war' guy that suddenly became pro-war (pro-Stalin) when Hitler attacked Russia and later founded the New Republic.
A quote from the FWA journal:
In 1942, Free World, a periodical published by the International Free World Association (organized in 1941), they stated that their objective was to create the "machinery for a world government in which the United Nations will serve as a nucleus...in order to prepare in time the foundations for a future world order."
What was their response?
bump...thanks for the phone numbers
HE HE HE HE.
Those Hollyweird guys are slippery. Never know it from some of his flicks.
What a bunch of losers.
O.K. Replace Cagney with Clint Eastwood.
Sorry. "of Cromwell" got bloted out by the computer. He, by the way, shut down Parliamentand firmly stablised a dictatorship when it went too far. The Mexicans are inclined to idealize the Aztec empire, or at least to excuse its sacrificial altars drench in human blood.
With his image tarnished and Bogart testifying that he was a communist, Cagney and his agent then decided they would find the most 'patriotic man in America' and do a film with Cagney as the Star.
The FWA also sued the Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals (headed by Disney) for $65 million in damages due to lost work caused by blacklisting.
Their response was absolutely nothing. She said "well, I don*t know about the LA office, but like I said there*s nothing in NY". I told her I can see I*m getting nowhere here so I*ll have to start writing letters (I probably won*t though, there are bigger battles to fight:)
See if they have all SAG past presidents pictures there. If his is the only SAG President not up there, then that's outrageous.
For what it's worth, their website is (now) honoring his memory, and announcing that all SAG offices will be closed on Friday. www.sag.org
SUPPORT HOLLYWOOD STALKERS!!!- now there is a t-shirt i would like to see!
(see my #46)
Their statement:
"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."
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."
Obviously I didn't read the whole thread and see the statement was already posted.
I think of the "at odds with the nation's labor movement" part and remember the "Okie from Muskogee" era, when hard hats and hippies clashed in the streets.
How times have changed.
Cagney sharply turned right after the Second World War, and like many other Catholic Democrats, officially became a Republican when McGovern ran.
Modern Hollywood has ignored Ronald Reagan for years. True, during his presidency, when many of his Hollywood pals from the 1930's and 1940's were still alive, it wasn't as obvious. But I noticed, because...well, because it's in me to notice such details.
Ordinarily, I don't give a flying fig what Hollywood's denizens do. But I enjoy both current events and history, read a lot, so I understand this: The true underlying issue SAG has with RWR is not so much his conservatism as his fight against communism. I got a lot of insight into Leftist group think from books by former Leftists, like David Horowitz' "Radical Son."
The Hollywood Left never forgot nor forgave entertainment industry figures who opposed them back in the late 1940's and into the 1950's. It's been over 50 years, yet today's Hollywood Left still whines about blacklists and McCarthyism, even though history has proven the anti-Communists right.
With the outpouring of genuine love for RWR from the American people that we are all witnessing now, Hollywood may try to, figuratively speaking, cash in by now reclaiming him as one of their own. But the many true, hardcore Leftists who populate that industry will never truly mean it.
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.