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.
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 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...