Fans of Ronald Reagan’s acting career will want to check out Warner Bros.’ new Ronald Reagan: The Signature Collection – a five film set that features the actor who would become the 40th President of the United States.
The films include Knute Rockne, All-American (1940), Kings Row (1942), The Hasty Heart (1949), Storm Warning (1951) and The Winning Team (1952). Like the Jimmy Stewart: The Signature Collection set, this set of five films is a little light on special features considering who the actor is, and what he accomplished both on and off the screen.
Knute Rockne, All-American sees Reagan taking on the role that would seem to follow him his whole life – even into politics. The 1940 film is the story of Notre Dame's legendary football coach with Pat O'Brien in the title role. Reagan’s part in the film is actually kind of small. He plays the Notre Dame football player George Gipp who gives Rockne the deathbed request to tell the boys to “Win just one for the Gipper.” The line became as famous as the movie did. Although the acting is a bit dated today, the film still holds up quite nicely, and it is easily one of the best movies in the set.
The DVD’s special features are a little light consisting of the film’s theatrical trailer, the Oscar-winning Technicolor short "Teddy, the Rough Rider," and the classic cartoon "Porky's Baseball Broadcast." There is also a 1940 Lux Radio Theater Broadcast with Pat O’Brien and Ronald Reagan that fans will enjoy.
Kings Row features five children in a typical American small town and follows them as their lives change near the turn of the century in 1900. The film features one of Reagan’s best screen performances. He is more of the “bad boy” of the two male leads with Robert Cummings as more the “good guy.” Reagan uses his charm throughout the movie, and the film would once again follow the actor throughout his life. The film is entertaining and fans of Reagan will enjoy.
The DVD special features include the Oscar -nominated vintage featurette "The United States Marine Band," the classic cartoon "Fox Pop," and the film’s theatrical trailer.
The Hasty Heart (1949) is based on the hit play, and is set in a military hospital in Burma just after World War II. The story follows a group of patients trying to conceal a fatal prognosis from an ailing Scotsman (Richard Todd). It features good performances from Reagan, Todd and Patricia Neal –who plays the nurse in charge.
The DVD does come with some decent special features thanks to a commentary by director Vincent Sherman and Ronald Reagan biographer John Meroney. There is also a vintage Joe McDoakes comedy short "So You Want to Be in Pictures," the classic cartoon "The Hasty Hare," and the film’s theatrical trailer.
Storm Warning (1951) features a couple of other screen legends joining Reagan in a film that is a bit of a mix genre – which even has elements of film noir. The film sees Ginger Rogers staring as a traveling dress model who stops in a southern town to see her sister (Doris Day). Day has married a Ku Klux Klansman (played by Steve Cochran). Reagan comes into the film as a District Attorney who tries to help Rogers after she witnesses the KKK commit a murder. He also tries to bring the murderers to justice. The film is extremely good with Reagan giving a strong performance.
Sadly, the DVD is really void of any special features – which consist of only the film’s theatrical trailer.
The Winning Team (1952) is based on a true story. Reagan stars as Grover Cleveland Alexander - a former worker for the telephone company whose hobby is pitching baseball. He is recruited by the Philadelphia Nationals, and rises to stardom – thanks to a streak that has him only lose about 200 games over twenty years. The film follows Alexander as he is traded to the Chicago Cubs, and then to the St. Louis Cardinals. Doris Day once again joins Reagan as Alexander’s wife.
The DVD special features only consist of just the film’s theatrical trailer.
If you are a fan of Reagan’s Hollywood career, you will want to pick up this set. While it could have benefited from better special features, all of the films are worth watching, and it is nice to have them in one collection. It is also a nice set to pick up if you haven’t seen Reagan the actor, and won’t disappoint fans of classic Hollywood.
Ronald Reagan: The Signature Collection is now available at Amazon . As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.
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