While Ronald Reagan Will always be known as the 40th President of the United States, before entering politics, he had a successful career as a Hollywood star. With acclaimed roles in dramas, war movies and westerns, Reagan’s impressive entertainment career showed him as a brave leading man and probably influenced the desire of the American public to be the commander in chief in the country. While Reagan remained a prominent figure on the big screen, such as through Dennis Quaid’s performance in the 2024 biopic exploring his presidency, looking back at his movies, some great roles stand out.
Although many actors have played Reagan in movies and TV shows, the former president has also portrayed some truly iconic characters. Reagan’s Hollywood career was categorized by variety as he portrayed everything from real-life football legend George Gipp in Knute Rockne, All American To the chimpanzee study psychologist Peter Boyd in Bedtime for Bonzo. While Reagan is remembered as one of the world’s most important political figuresLooking back on his pre-presidential career, he also had some truly great movies.
10
Hellcats of the Navy (1957)
Ronald Reagan as Commander Casey Abbott
Hellcats of the Navy was a highly notable release in Ronald Reagan’s acting career, as it was the only time he shared the screen with his wife, who was pictured under her maiden name of Nancy Davis. The Reagans are both actors and met as a result of Ronald’s role as president of the Screen Actors Guild, as he helped remove her name from the notorious Hollywood blacklist of potential communist sympathizers (via History.) They married in 1952, and their only movie together was the World War II submarine drama.
While See the future President and First Lady share the screen together Was the main reason to check out Hellcats of the NavyIt also tells a solid story of how Commander Casey Abbott (Reagan) charts the minefield in the waters off Japan. With an engaging love triangle and some impressive action sequences, the film was formulaic but satisfying. As an engaging document of an actual World War II combat operation, plus the inclusion of Ronald and Nancy, Hellcats of the Nazis Has earned its place in history film.
9
The Bad Man (1941)
Ronald Reagan as Gil Jones
The bad man was a western story that had been told many times before. The first version was a silent film from 1923; The second was a pre-Code Western with Walter Huston from 1930; There was also a 1937 Boris Karloff movie called West of Shanghai who moved the action to China; And finally, a version with Ronald Reagan in a likable performance as the ranchman Gil Jones. As a story of forbidden love, evil gangsters and financial woes, The bad man was a rough-and-tumble Western character which highlighted Reagan’s impressive onscreen charisma.
The bad man is also published under the title Two-Gun CupidAnd things really kicked into gear once Wallace Beery showed up as the famous outlaw Pancho Lopez and stole Gil’s cattle. There is a lot of over-the-top energy in it The bad manAnd Barry, in particular, played his role for laughs with great effect. While it doesn’t have the same appeal and lasting power as the best Westerns ever made, there’s still a lot to offer here, and Reagan showcases the bravery and leading man charm that helped him win the presidency so many years later.
8
Desperate Journey (1942)
Ronald Reagan as Flying Officer Johnny Hammond
Desperate Journey Was a movie that is remembered primarily due to its incredible star power, as Ronald Reagan shared the screen with Hollywood icon Error Flynn. In the Second World War action and aviation fleet, a group of pilots appeared, whose ship was shot down and captured by German soldiers near the Polish border. With no choice but to escape the Third Reich using their cunning and wit, the five captured survivors plot their escape with their brains, brawn and fists.
While Desperate Journey’s Plot was similar to that of other propaganda pictures of the same period, such as Aim for tonight And Human dogIt was an enjoyable WWII movie made while the conflict was still ongoing. in many ways, Desperate Journey was a forerunner of the later popular sitcom Hogan’s heroeswhich featured a cast of POVs during World War II. While Reagan is sometimes criticized for his lack of acting range, Desperate Journey was perfectly in his wheelhouse, and he gave a compelling performance as flying officer Johnny Hammond.
7
Storm Warning (1951)
Ronald Reagan as Burt Rainey
Bigotry, violence against women, and family dysfunction are explored in Storm warningAn exciting noir about an investigative journalist brutally killed by the Ku Klux Klan. As a film produced between McCarthyism and the Red Scare, the fear and anxiety depicted in Storm warning directly related to the hostile culture from which it was formedAnd the film has been criticized for not going far enough to address the racist history of the KKK. While Storm warning was a film packed with melodrama and messages, looking back at it through a modern lens, it could have gone much deeper.
However, the highly political nature of Storm warning Made it a fascinating historical document, especially considering Ronald Reagan’s future as the President of the United States. With some elements of its plot ripped off from A streetcar named desire, Storm warning Represented the social suffering of his time, as well as the shortcomings in Hollywood in getting the true heart of bigotry and prejudices. With Ginny Rogers and Ronald Reagan giving great performances, a solid story and some strong direction help make up for its flaws.
6
The Hasty Heart (1949)
Ronald Reagan as Yank, the American
Based on a play by John Patrick, You have a heart Tells the story of wounded soldiers in a Pacific mobile surgery unit immediately after World War II. With Ronald Reagan as the only American who was simply known as a Yank alongside an Englishman, a New Zealander, an Australian and an African, You have a heart Boasts a powerful message about the value of love for foreigners from around the world. Starring Patricia Neal as Sister Margaret Parker, the nurse who looked after them, this was a compassionate, melodramatic movie.
While You have a heart was filled with themes of comradeship and solidarity, things took a serious turn when the people gathered around the newly arrived Scottish soldiers they knew would die. While You have a heart Was known as a Reagan picture, it was Richard Todd as the Scott named Lachie who was nominated for an Oscar for best actor. With real sincerity and some heartfelt vulnerability, You have a heart was one of Reagan’s most emotional movies.
5
Bedtime for Bonzo (1951)
Ronald Reagan as Professor Peter Boyd
Throughout his presidency, the perceived ridiculousness of Ronald Reagan starring in a movie opposite a chimpanzee was a consistent joke by commentators and in the media. But, look back Bedtime for BonzoThe story about a psychologist trying to teach human morality to a primate holds up really well. As a film addressing topics of education, genetics and emotional stability, Bedtime for Bonzo was deeper than his initial concept suggested, as his clever writing powerfully explored the nature versus nurture theory.
Although the production was not without its issues, viz Reagan was almost suffocated on set when the chimpanzee grabbed his tie’s neck (via Mental Floss), Bedtime for Bonzo Was popular enough to get a sequel without Reagan’s involvement called Bonzo goes to college. With a legacy that even found its way into punk rock history with the Ramones song “My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes to Bitburg),” Bedtime for Bonzo was a uniquely bright entry in Reagan’s filmography.
4
Dark Victory (1939)
Ronald Reagan as Alec Hamm
Screen legends Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart and Ronald Reagan all come together for the melodramatic triumph of Dark victory. with A tour-de-force performance from DavisThis emotionally intense story features a young socialite deciding how she will face her final days after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. With underlying themes of bravery and courage, this sharp tear jerker knowingly pulled at audiences’ heartstrings with a protagonist it is impossible not to feel for.
Reagan has a small but effective supporting role as playboy Alec Hamm, though it’s Davis who truly steals the show. Dark victory Has theatrical elements of a soap opera in the intensity of her story, but all this is conveyed through such incredible performances that the viewer cannot help but be drawn in by her tragedy. While Dark victory Had to get a mention when discussing the best Reagan films, he was vastly overshadowed by Davis.
3
The Killers (1964)
Ronald Reagan as Jack Browning
The killers was a worthy remake of a classic film noir that acted as the second screen adaptation of Ernest Hemingway’s 1927 short story of the same name. As Ronald Reagan’s last movie role before entering politics, he ended this era of his career on a high note as The killers Stood as one of the best film noirs ever made. Starring opposite Lee Marvin, The killers was about two guards who, after their victim did not try to escape from the murder, tried to uncover the mystery of who ordered the hit and what their intentions were.
While the previous 1947 version of The killers was a favorite of Hemingwaywho called it”The only good picture that was made of my story“(by Far out), the updated version surpassed its predecessor in many ways. As a more streamlined and lively adaptation, The killers was an engrossing film noir packed with mystery and intrigue. As one of Reagan’s finest films, it’s interesting to think where his career would have gone had he continued in the movies after this release and how he would have fared in the grittier New Hollywood movement of the 1970s.
2
Knute Rockne, All American (1940)
Ronald Reagan as George Gipp
This sports biopic tells the true story of Notre Dame’s legendary football coach, Knute Rockne, and the impressive success of the Fighting Irish football team. Starring Ronald Reagan as George Gipp, Notre Dame’s first Walter Camp All-American, who tragically died at age 25 due to complications from strep throat, Knute Rockne, All American, Acted as a powerful showcase of the tenacity of American sportsmanship. An iconic release in Reagan’s back catalog, the future president was even often referred to as the Gipper in the media.
The legacy of Reagan’s role Knute Rockne, All American was so great that he actually revived the famous movie quote “Win one for the Gipper“As a slogan during his presidential campaign. With incredible resonance, the phrase was later used by George HW Bush, George HW Bush, and Bob Dole to highlight Reagan’s political relevance even after his death. As an emotional film with a lot From sharp scenes, Ronald Reagan was an essential part of the success of Knute Rockne, All American.
1
Kings Row (1942)
Ronald Reagan as Drake McCoy
Anyone who has propagated The long-standing rumor that Ronald Reagan couldn’t act Will quickly disappear through his career best performances in Kings Row. Based on the novel by Henry Bellaman, Reagan played wealthy Drake McCoo, who is forced to work after his trust fund runs dry. After injuring his legs in an accident, McHugh became an amputee, leading to the most emotional and powerful scene of his career when he heartbreakingly screams, “Where are the rest of us?“When discovering his newfound circumstances.
Reagan clearly related to this scene as he titled his 1965 autobiography, Where are the rest of me? What he wrote during his run for governor of California. While Kings Row Was nominated for several Academy Awards, Reagan’s performance was not one of them, and he unfortunately never received a nomination during his entire acting career. Although it may not have earned the accolades it deserved, Kings Row It really was Ronald Reagan Greatest achievement as an actor.
Sources: History, Mental Floss, Far out