Reagan: The Hollywood Years

by Marc Eliot

Ronald Reagan was one of the most powerful and popular American presidents. The key to understanding his political success and the remarkable likability and effortless charisma that made it possible is hidden in his early years as a Hollywood movie star.

Other biographers and Reagan in his two memoirs have skimmed over the thirty years he spent as an actor, union activist, and ladies’ man. Now, for the first time, in this highly entertaining and provocative new work, acclaimed film critic and historian Marc Eliot reveals the truth of those formative years and presents a far different and infinitely more detailed portrait of Reagan than ever before.

Based on original research and never-before-published interviews, documents, and other materials, Eliot sheds new light on Reagan’s film and television work opposite some of the most talented women of the time, including Bette Davis, Ann Sheridan, and Ginger Rogers; his starlet-strewn bachelor days when his name was linked with Lana Turner and Susan Hayward; his first, rocky marriage to actress Jane Wyman and his career-making second marriage to Nancy Davis; his controversial eight years as the president of the Screen Actors Guild; his friendships with Jimmy Stewart and William Holden; his place in the “Irish Mafia” alongside Pat O’Brien, Spencer Tracy, Humphrey Bogart, James Cagney, and Errol Flynn; and the crucial role of super-agent Lew Wasserman, who was instrumental in developing the persona that would prove essential to Reagan’s future as a world leader.

Set against the glamorous and often combative background of Hollywood’s celebrated Golden Age, Eliot’s biography provides an exceptionally nuanced examination of the man and uncovers the startling origins of the legend.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Film, Biography Memoir

384 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Anna Mykhailenko · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boooooring

[Bargain Sleuth Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another borrow from the library's Libby app. As someone whose first Presidential election memories are from 1980, Reagan has loomed large over my memories of my formative years. He was in office from the ages of 8 - 16 for me, and I remember an overall feeling of great pride to be an American at that time. I'm always curious about the BEFORE of a well-known person's life, especially their family life. This book is worth it if only to find out more about Reagan's first marriage to actor, Jane Wyman. I found it curious that I could watch Falcon Crest and see interviews with Wyman while Reagan was in office, but apparently the subject of their marriage was off-limits.

This book is also a good look at how Reagan made the move from SAG union president to a more conservative, Republican life. How Hollywood changed throughout the years is part of Reagan's story. I don't see why people are complaining about an author putting Reagan's actions into the context of the times. This book was far more illuminating than many of Reagan's biographies, which only focus on his presidency or gloss over his Hollywood years.

[Michael Jolls · Rating 4 out of 5]

One can't help but appreciate all the details that Marc Eliot put into this book. Yes, it does feel like it gets sidetracked quite a bit, but as a "B-actor" (of which Reagan was assigned to in the 1940s), it's important to understand the circumstances surrounding him. Not to mention, he would become the most influential, popular and powerful figure of the entire group by the time the 1980s rolls around, but the book stops just short of the California gubernatorial race. Although predominantly a biography, "Reagan: The Hollywood Years" is a history of Hollywood during the World War II years and the blacklist of the 1950s. It's definitely a book referencing beyond just Reagan, but it's a confusing subject nonetheless.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty good and interesting read into the early years of our 40th president.

[Alex Dimaio · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring. Boring. Boring.

[Joseph · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little disappointing. There were some good parts, lot's of just blah and quite a few boring parts in telling his life during his acting years. When he went on and on about some of the names in movies or who were up for parts I had to fast forward it. This was published in 2008 and well no offense, not a lot of people are going to truly know some of those names. So it seemed a little unnecessary to have it in multiple areas. Another thing he should have done when talking about how much things cost back then, how much is contract was or how much he made on this or that film was to translate that to todays dollar. I could not relate to it. The way he ended it was good though.

The biggest problem I had was the actual audio recording itself. It was poorly done and it sounded like he was too close to the microphone sometimes where it was echoing or something. It was just of poor sound quality.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book seemed to relate very little information about his actual Hollywood career, such as it was. It spent much more time discussing his love of politics, even while in Hollywood, and his first wife's great dislike of his oratorical skills on that level.

Personally, I enjoyed the book - with or without the Hollywood emphasis. It was a wonderful glimpse into the early life of one of our Presidents. If his Hollywood career had been more successful, he might never have realized his true calling as President. It also provided a revealing look at the transition from film to television in the 1950s and the resulting struggle between the actors and the studios. Another great story in itself.

[Trevor · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about Ronald Reagan before his presidency and the struggles he went through as a actor and includes some information about his time during the election and presidency. The book mainly focuses on Reagan early love live and how he rose to the position of presidency. The book does a good job of separating the time periods into chapters of Reagan life. I personally did not find this book very intriguing, but for someone who is interested in politics and reading this is the book 4 u.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

The most interesting parts of the book were those that dealt with Reagan's beginning in Hollywood, his time as president of the Screen Actor's Guild and his time in television.

Eliot really has no ability or seemingly interest in evaluating or even describing Reagan's films.

[Maura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had it's highs and lows. Some parts were drawn out and beaten to a pulp, like the union woes and reagan being subpoenaed. It's half about Reagan's Hollywood years and half about the history of the movie industry.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book about Reagan while in Hollywood. But for World War II, he might have become a "top" actor

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting to read the pre-presidency story. Nancy was a bit of a loon. Goodness. Glad I read it.

[Dad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting, especially the Hollywood cluture and Ronnie and Nancy's pre-martial sex life.

[Henry Barcohana · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is fascinating how someone went from an actor to the president of the United States

[Elpheaba · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow, this was a good read, but the part about union politics, snore.

[Judith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some parts were really interesting, other parts were super boring.