I was in a bookstore not long ago and my friend and I came across political biographies. One book was Ronald Reagan: A Life in Letters, and my friend said that might be an interesting book to read to get a glimpse into how he thought. I checked out the book and found an amazing collection of letters, many hand-written to his friends from Hollywood. I thought those might be of interest so I am sharing some of the transcripts of the letters with celebrities below:
The following is from a series of letters Reagan wrote to his Hollywood friends.
Frank Sinatra
Reagan corresponded with Frank Sinatra on several occasions during the 1980s. In the letters below, you'll notice he is addressed as "Francis Albert"; when close freinds addressed Sinatra personally it was "Francis Albert", not "Frank".
In 1982 Sinatra sent Reagan tapes of the performance he and Perry Como gave at the White House to honor the visiting president of Italy, Sandro Pertini.
Here is Reagan's reply:
Mr. Frank Sinatra
Rancho Mirage, California
September 13, 1982
Dear Francis Albert,
I'm writing this before we've even had time to run the tapes. As you know we've been ranching and just returned to find them here.
You were very kind and thoughtful (as always) to do this and we are both truly grateful. That was a special night, one we remember with great happiness. When we met President Bertini in Italy he made it evident he too rememberered the evening with warm pleasure.
Nancy sends her love and again our thanks.
Sincerely,
Ron
On September 12, 1983, the Lost Angeles Times ran a cartoon by Paul Conrad depicting a soilder pinned down behind a barricade as shells exploded around him, calling President Reagan on his walkie-talkie. When Reagan doesn't seem to understand him, the soilder says, "Well, tell him to turn up his hearing aid!"
Reagan had recently been fitted for a hearing aid and Sinatra took umbrage at this slur on his old friend. He wrote to the Times to criticzie them publishing "Conrad's viciousness and hatred," and suggested that his cartoons were "better suited for outhouse walls." Sinatra sent a copy of his letter to President Reagan.
Mr. Frank Sinatra
Hollywood, California
September 22, 1983
Dear Francis Albert,
Now I've seen the "strong letter" that follows. I know it came from your heart because that's what my heart has been saying about that poison pen for a long time. Thank you for doing what you did and for making me feel good all over.
Nancy sends her love and I join her.
Sincerely,
Ron
Source: Reagan: A Life in Letters (Free Press, 2003, page 155)
Shirley Temple
In 1982, author Lester David was planning a new Shirley biography, The Shirley Temple Story. He asked Reagan if he would comment for the book; Reagan and Temple co-stared in That Hagan Girl.
Mr. and Mrs. Lester David
Woodmere, New York
April 12, 1982
Mr. and Mrs. Lester David
As per our phone conversation here is the letter about Shirley Temple. I won't repeat the story about her dramatic scene as a child and then her composed curtsy to the director and crew on the set and her line - "
Next Week, East Lynne!" (This is just a reminder in case it's useful)
Like everyone else in America I loved Shirley Temple in those days when a Depression-haunted world forgot the drab, dreariness for a few hours in a neighborhood movie house, especially when a tiny golden-haired girl named Shirley Temple was on the screen. Her talent and ability were such that at one time rumors went around that she was much older than she was said to be and was somehow stunted in her growth. This was so patently ridiculous that little credence was given to it. But affection for her probably helped too. She was a beloved American institution and people wouldn't hold still for any attempt to deprecate her.
I never knew her in those years when she was a child star. We became acquainted when she was borrowed by Warner Brothers, and we co-starred in a picture called That Hagen Girl, somewhere around 1947.
It was a story of an older man and a young girl. But I believe you are interested in her as a person. Let me just say that she was totally unspoiled - with a delightful sense of humor. She was most likeable and in theater language a real pro. She was also intelligent, well informed, with an interest in a wide range of subjects.
She was conscious of the fact that audiences were unwilling to let her grow up. She wanted very much to be accepted as an adult actress carrying on in the profession which had been hers for so long. I never let her know that having been a part of that audience, I wasn't quite ready either, and not so sure I wanted to be a party to presenting her to America for the first time as a young lady. But she was just that - a lady in every sense of the word.
I hope this is of some help,
Best regards,
Ronald Reagan
Source: Reagan: A Life in Letters (Free Press, 2003, page 166)
Cary Grant
Ray Moseley was a British author who was working on a biography of Cary Grant (Cary Grant: The Lonely Heart). In 1987 he wrote to Reagan asking him "to tell me anything you may care to about Cary for my book." Grant had died in 1986 at age 82.
Mr. Roy Moseley
Los Angeles, California
December 21, 1987
Dear Mr. Mosley,
I have just received your letter and thank you for your generous words. You were most kind and both Nancy and I are truly grateful.
We are pleased to learn you are doing a book on Cary Grant. We did not know of his heroism in WWII but that's explainable. Cary was (off screen) modest and quite unassuming. He was definitely not the character he played so well on screen. We were great admirers of both Cary Grants and felt the warmest friendship for him as a person. As for the onscreen Cary I used to proclaim to all who would listen, that he should receive an Academy Award for never having done a poor or even routine performance.
We were both grateful that he was one of the entertainment world honorees in the Kennedy Center Awards during our time here.
Before our marriage Nancy was under contract to MGM. She did a screen test with Cary for a part in one of his pictures. The test narrowed down to her and another actress who was given the role. Nancy of course was disappointed. Cary took her to lunch at the studio cafeteria and very kindly talked away her disappointment and complimented her on her acting. He told her she did something many actors didn't know how to do. She listened to the other actor.
In later years after we were married Nancy was his dinner partner at a banquet. I believe I was toastmaster that night so we were at the head table. It was shortly after the birth of Cary's daughter. He started to tell Nancy what this meant to him and he teared up. That was all Nancy needed to start her crying. There they were, facing the entire banquet crowd and both in tears.
One last item. Cary did a picture with Grace Kelly in which he wore some crew neck sweaters. I thought they were great. Nancy ran into him and told him how much we enjoyed the movie; she also told him how much I liked those sweaters. A day or two later a package arrived at our house, in it were two sweaters of the kind he'd worn in the picture. I still have them.
Well I can only add you are writing about a magnificent thespian, a true gentleman and a cherished friend. I wish you well.
Sincerely,
Ronald Reagan
Source: Reagan: A Life in Letters (Free Press, 2003, page 164-165)
Eddy Foy, Jr.
The following letter is from the compilation book: Reagan: A Life in Letters (2003) . The book is divided into a number of chapters (Family, Politics, etc); the following is from the Hollywood chapter.
Eddie Foy Jr. was the son of the famous vaudevillian, and had a minor film career. In his most notable role, he played his father in 1942's Yankee Doodle Dandee. He played Reagan's sidekick in several movies in 1939 and 1940. Eddie Foy Jr. died in 1983 at the age of 78. Five years later, his granddaughter wrote to Reagan requesting some memorabilia or anecdotes about her grandfather.
Ms. Dina Elizabeth Foy
Las Vegas, Nevada
December 21, 1987
Dear Ms. Foy,
I'm sorry I don't have any memorabilia regarding movies I worked in with your grandfather. If it will help, let me tell you that he and I made four movies together at Warner Bros. Incidentally, the producer of those pictures was his brother Brynie Foy.
The pictures were a kind of a series based on the records of the US Secret Service. They were Secret Service of the Air, Code of the Secret Service, Smashing the Money Ring, and Murder in the Air. We were great friends and enjoyed working together. He usually played a kind of comedy relief role and close buddy of "Brass Bancroft" (me).
Please give your father my best regards.
Sincerely,
Ronald Reagan
Source: Reagan: A Life in Letters (Free Press, 2003)
Humphrey Bogart
The following letter is from the compilation book: Reagan: A Life in Letters (2003) . The book is divided into a number of chapters (Family, Politics, etc); the following is from the
Hollywood chapter.
From time to time people would write to Reagan asking him about his movie career. The following handwritten drafts were probably written in the 1970s in response to such requests.
In 1938 Reagan had parts in 2 movies with Humphrey Bogart - The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse and Swing Your Lady. In 1939 Reagan played in Dark Victory, which starred Bette Davis and Humphrey Bogart.
Jim
Circa 1970s
Dear Jim,
I was in several pictures with "Bogie" but all before WWII. At that time I was just starting and, while he was more or less established, he was not rated as a star and played almost villain parts. He was an easygoing, extremely friendly fellow who went out of his way to be helpful to a beginner like myself.
During the war, Warner Brothers was unable to get George Raft for Casablanca and as so often happens settled for Bogie because he was under contract. The rest is history. It was one of those magic blessings every actor dreams of. He became a top star and deservedly so but he remained the same unassuming, nice guy he'd always been.
Enclosed is a picture you requested. I don't have any "stills" of the two of us.
Best Regards,
Ronald Reagan
Source: Reagan: A Life in Letters (Free Press, 2003)
Helen Hayes
The following letter is from the compilation book: Reagan: A Life in Letters (2003) . The book is divided into a number of chapters (Family, Politics, etc); the following is from the Hollywood chapter.
In 1982, Kenneth Barrow, a London writer, had been authorized by Helen Hayes to write her official biography and asked Reagan if he would say something about "the qualities which made her such an exceptional talent and such an enduring star."
Mr. Kenneth Barrow
London, England
December 20, 1982
Dear Mr Barrow:
I don't know if I have the words to do justice to Helen Hayes or to make a contribution worthy of your book.
No I never had the experience of working with her on stage or screen - I'm sorry to say - Yes I was acquainted with her as we all knew each other in that Hollywood of the golden era. I have come to know her better in these later years when we are both somewhat removed from that time and place.
She is ever and always a lady; a lady of warmth and kindness, as eternally feminine as she was when she captured the hearts of all who saw her on stage or screen.
What was her secret? Certainly it wasn't just theatrical artistry although she was a superb actress. There was more to it than that. There was beauty and an inner light that was Helen Hayes herself shining through every role she played.
Many, many years ago an American patriotic poem was set to music, to the noble strains of your anthem, "God Save The Queen." Our American poem however lost much in the transposition because in order to fit the music it had to be badly phrased.
During World War II, a great ceremony was held in Soilders Field Stadium in Chicago. Helen Hayes was introduced to a crowd of 125,000. Looking so tiny down on the floor of that great stadium she recited that poem, the words that everyone in that crowd had sung hundreds of times. I think it was the first time we had ever heard the beauty of those words. The silence when she finished was I'm sure a greater ovation that any she had ever received.
Perhaps others could be effective in reading that poem but would anyone else think of it?
If anyone is looking for sheer enchantment tell them to run a Helen Hayes picture.
Sincerely,
Ronald Reagan
Source: Reagan: A Life in Letters (Free Press, 2003)
Mickey Rooney
The following letter is from the compilation book: Reagan: A Life in Letters (2003) . The book is divided into a number of chapters (Family, Politics, etc); the following is from the Hollywood chapter.
Reagan invited Rooney and his wife Jan to a White House dinner on June 12 1985, and, at age 65, Rooney declined, writing "Damn it! It's always when I'm working, but thank goodness that I am".
Mr and Mrs Mickey Rooney
Hollywood California
May 31, 1985
Dear Jan and Mickey,
Sorry you can't make it June 12th but you have an ongoing rain check. While we'll miss you we're happy you are working cause that means pleasure for a lot of people.
Mickey I'll bet you don't remember the first time we met. The year was 1937 or thereabouts. I was new in Hollywood living in the Montecito apartments. Someone had run over a dog in the street outside. You came in to look for a phone book so you could find the nearest veterinarian and take the dog to him. I figured this had to be a nice guy and I was right.
Nancy sends her best and so do I.
Sincerely,
Ronald Reagan
Source: Reagan: A Life in Letters (Free Press, 2003)
Barbara Stanwyk
In 1981, an author writing a book on Barbara Stanwyck asked President Reagan for his recollections. In 1949 Stanwyck and Nancy (Davis) Reagan were in the same film, East Side, West Side
, and in 1954 she co-starred with Ronald Reagan in Cattle Queen of Montana
Memo on Barbara Stanwyck
Washington DC
December 1, 1981
I had known Barbara Stanwyck for a number of years - not in any close friendship but as someone you saw at social events in Hollywood and, of course, like so many others I was an admirer of her work on the screen.
It was, therefore, a real thrill for me when I received a call from my agent that I had been offered the part playing opposite her in a picture called Cattle Queen of Montana. It was based on a real life character, a woman who drove a herd of cattle all the way from Texas to Montana and set up ranching there.
I'd heard many stories about Barbara and her professionalism on the set. She would come in on time every morning and with all lines for that day learned. There was no temperament, no insisting on prerequisites or trimmings usually associated with stardom. It was all business. She was there to make as good a picture as possible for the people who were going to pay to see it.
We did most of the picture on location in Glacier National Park. I remember one day when the scene calling for me to come riding out of the woods and Barbara was swimming out in the lake. The name of the locations - Glacier National Park - will give you some idea of the temperature of the water. They had a double on hand to do this scene for her but Barbara, with her knowledge of screen technique, knew it would be a better scene if they could be actually seeing her fact rather than just a figure of a double far removed from the camera. So, into the icy water she went. And, scenes don't just get filmed in a few minutes, there's always a reason for doing it over and sometimes over again. But not one whimper out of Stanwyck.
She rode when the scene called for that and rode well. And, when we h ad to run through the woods and dive over a log and turn and start blazing away at the bad guys, she dived over the log. She was a pro in her work, she was always a lady. She was kind to those she worked with and I didn't know anyone on the set that didn't like working there very much and that didn't feel a great warmth and loyalty toward her.
I'm proud and happy that in the golden era of Hollywood, I had a chance to work with her.
Source: Reagan: A Life in Letters (Free Press, 2003, page 164)
A Shakespeare classic adapted for the screen......a big-budget all star spectacular from MGM featuring an all star cast and fantastic scenery in glorious black and white. It's one of the first films of both Olivia de Havilland (Hermia) and young Mickey Rooney, who was only 15 when he played Puck. The young whippersnapper is amusing in the part, he really hams it up for the camera. deHavilland is good in one of her first films, as is James Cagney, who plays "Nick Bottom".
The Descendants
Directed by Jason Reitman (Up In the Air, Juno, two movies that I liked). And written by Diablo Cody. With this writer-director team I felt this would be a very interesting movie, and it is. In a nutshell, Young Adult is a character study of an alcoholic, single thirtysomething writer (Charlize Theron) who finds inspiration for her young adult/teen novels from her own experiences. She lives alone with her cat in her big-city high rise apartment and watches reality television when she has writer's block. One day, an email from an old flame inspires her to return to her hometown and rekindle the relationship. Well, perhaps rekindle isn't the accurate term...she actually wants to steal him away from his wife and kid! She also manages to bump into several other people from her past and we learn more about her through these characters. For example, we learn midway through the film that she was the prom queen of the high school, and was once the most popular girl in school. Now, she's an outcast with unrealistic expectations about life and relationships. By the end of the film, she's ready to head back to the big city of Minneapolis to start all over again. There is no epilogue; we can only imagine what her life would be like, a good way to end this film, I think. 
Like everyone else in America I loved Shirley Temple in those days when a Depression-haunted world forgot the drab, dreariness for a few hours in a neighborhood movie house, especially when a tiny golden-haired girl named Shirley Temple was on the screen. Her talent and ability were such that at one time rumors went around that she was much older than she was said to be and was somehow stunted in her growth. This was so patently ridiculous that little credence was given to it. But affection for her probably helped too. She was a beloved American institution and people wouldn't hold still for any attempt to deprecate her.
Eddie Foy Jr. was the son of the famous vaudevillian, and had a minor film career. In his most notable role, he played his father in 1942's Yankee Doodle Dandee. He played Reagan's sidekick in several movies in 1939 and 1940. Eddie Foy Jr. died in 1983 at the age of 78. Five years later, his granddaughter wrote to Reagan requesting some memorabilia or anecdotes about her grandfather. 
l-r: Carole Lombard, Don Ameche, Fred MacMurray, Joan Crawford, Robert Taylor, Charles Boyer, Adolph Menjou, Claudette Colbert
Jack Benny and Mary Livingstone, stars of the popular and long-running radio comedy The Jack Benny Show
Regular Jack Benny Show players Phil Harris (pictured with his wife Alice Faye) and Eddie "Rochester" Anderson
Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, Deanna Durbin, and Mickey Rooney.
Rik Tod, in his blog post on this cartoon, observed how all of the heads of the celebrities are slightly too large for thier bodies, giving them a bobble-head feel. I've identified no less than 30 stars, and they are listed below. See how many you can recognize. Out of all the celebrities, only Mickey Rooney and Deanna Durbin are still living.
Sorry, I couldn't find a version that would allow me to embed it in this page, so you'll have to go to the You Tube site to watch the clip.
Watch "Malibu Beach Party" (1940) (opens in a new tab)
Caricatures, in order of appearance:
Jack Benny and Mary Livingstone
Bob Hope
Bette Davis (as Queen Elizabeth from Warner Brothers' 1939 "The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex")
Andy Devine (yelling "Hiya Buck" - a reference to the movie "Buck Benny Rides Again from 1940 which starred Benny and Devine)
Spencer Tracy (in his Henry Stanley garb from the 1939 movie "Stanley and Livingstone")
Kay Kyser
Robert Donat (with a reference to the 1939 movie "Goodbye Mr Chips")
Carole Lombard/Don Ameche/Fred MacMurray/Joan Crawford/Robert Taylor
George Raft
Clark Gable
Greta Garbo (surfing!)
Caesar Romero and John Barrymore
Ned Sparks and Fanny Brice as Baby Snooks
Charles Boyer/Adolph Menjou/Claudette Colbert/James Cagney/Alice Faye
Eddie "Rochester" Anderson
Phil Harris
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers
Deanna Durbin, singing soprano
Mickey Rooney
Cary Grant
This cartoon is available on DVD; it's one of the extras to the movie "Dance Girl Dance" (1940), which is part of the Lucille Ball Film Collection.