LOS ANGELES, Sept. 28, 2010 — J. Herbert Klein was a 21-year-old U.S. Air Force private when he met Captain Ronald W. Reagan in the fall of 1942 – a meeting that continues to inspire Klein today at age 89. "Reagan gave me my start in the movie business," Klein said in a recent interview, "and for that I will always be grateful."
When he entered the Air Force during World War II, Klein had expected to get shipped overseas after basic training, but instead ended up in Culver City, California, at the 18th U.S. Air Force Base Unit – also known as the First Motion Picture Unit. Klein was stunned when his commanding officer turned out to be 31-year-old Ronald Reagan – the actor he'd seen in major films such as KNUTE ROCKNE: ALL AMERICAN, KINGS ROW, and DESPERATE JOURNEY.
When Klein reported for duty, Reagan explained to the young private that he'd been handpicked to serve in the unit because of a drawing he'd submitted after witnessing an accident at March Field, near Riverside, California.
"Captain Reagan told me the unit needed men like me with visual skills to create high-quality motion pictures for the armed forces," Klein recalled. "When I told him I knew nothing about making movies, he smiled, slapped me on the back, and said, 'You'll learn.'"
Reagan made good on his promise, taking Klein under his wing and placing him in a position of authority on a top-secret project, where he supervised a team tasked with creating a topographical map of California, which technicians later filmed from the viewpoint of a pilot. Instructors showed the film to newly trained pilots to let them know what to expect when flying over the state. This was the beginning of the map program at the unit – which culminated in a topographical map of Japan that was instrumental in ending the war.
Klein contributed to additional projects at the base, which was staffed by some of the top actors and crewmembers in Hollywood. "Clark Gable, Theodore Geisel – later known as Dr. Seuss – and George Reeves, who eventually played SUPERMAN on television, were all members of our unit," remembers Klein.
After the war ended in 1945, Klein went on to enjoy success as a producer for films, television programs, and live events. "I owe my career to Ronald Reagan," Klein explains. "He was a both a mentor and friend. Reagan recognized my potential and gave me a chance to shine. He was truly one of the finest people I've ever met."
Today, J. Herbert Klein heads International Film Arts – a production company in Southern California that develops projects for film, broadcast, and print. He shares his only-in-America life story in ROAD TO HOLLYWOOD, available on Amazon.com. Link: http://www.amazon.com/Road-Hollywood-Only-America-Presidents/dp/1453777369/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1282930662&sr=8-4
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Melanie Colette, producer, International Film Arts
Email: Email
Phone: 310-894-3773
Website: http://www.internationalfilmarts.com
# # #