LOS ANGELES, Aug. 16, 2010 — In conjunction with their upcoming book RONALD REAGAN'S ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE: HOW HOLLYWOOD PREPARED AMERICA'S 40TH PRESIDENT FOR THE ROLE OF A LIFETIME, writers J. Herbert Klein and Melanie Villines from International Film Arts, LLC, interviewed Patricia Neal via phone on June 23, 2010 – just six weeks before she passed away on August 8, 2010.
During the interview, Ms. Neal, who costarred in two films with Reagan – JOHN LOVES MARY (1949) and THE HASTY HEART (1949) – expressed her admiration for Reagan as a "generous" actor and a "very good" president. She was happy to learn about the celebrations planned for the Reagan Centennial in 2011. "I loved Ronald Reagan," Neal said during the interview – explaining that they shared a unique platonic friendship. "He was a very good friend and very good to me."
Neal was just 22 when she starred in her first movie, JOHN LOVES MARY (1949), while costar Reagan had been making movies for over a decade – and, as a calm, seasoned professional, he helped her gain confidence as a film actress.
In her autobiography, AS I AM, Neal recounts her experiences working with Reagan – and includes many humorous anecdotes about the challenges of filming THE HASTY HEART in post-WWII London, when the basics of life – including food and heat – were hard to come by. But the resourceful Reagan managed to locate choice sirloin steaks and invited Neal to share them with him in the kitchen of the Savoy Hotel. Neal, who was born and raised in Kentucky, later regretted that she hadn't reciprocated. She told International Film Arts, "I was a Southern woman and it never occurred to me."
Neal – an Oscar, Tony, and Golden Globe winner – visited Reagan at the White House on several occasions and always maintained fond memories of their time working together. While shooting in England, Neal remembered, Reagan couldn't wait to get back to the States – especially the California sunshine. Soon after his return, he met starlet Nancy Davis. "He loved Nancy," Neal recalled. "They were very good together."
For more about RONALD REAGAN'S ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE, visit: http://www.internationalfilmarts.com/RoadToWhiteHouse.html
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Melanie Colette, producer, International Film Arts
Email: Email
Phone: 310-894-3773
Website: http://www.internationalfilmarts.com
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