Ronald Reaganhad such an eventful presidency that everyone seems to forget he was once an actor. In fact, Reagan had a longer career in Hollywood (1937–1966) than in politics (1967–1988).The former president’s journey in the entertainment industry started at WHO radio, where he served as a broadcaster for Chicago Cubs games. He then moved to California where he signed a multi-picture deal with Warner Bros., allowing him to make a whopping 30 films before enlisting in 1942.
After the war, Reagan’s popularity grew, enabling him to do business with Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, and RKO Pictures. His new standing in Hollywood also allowed him to be elected as the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) president.
For most of Ronald Reagan’s career, he concentrated on making westerns. However, he chose to conclude his Hollywood career with a gangster movie before running for California governor. That movie was 1964’sThe Killers, a blunt,terrifying motion picture by Don Siegel that probes the desperate, unruly souls of the underground: those hardened, fearless criminals willing to stop at nothing to get a few dollars more.
Reagan gave a performance that must have haunted audiences long after the theater lights came up, and then he said goodbye to cinephiles. Unlike Schwarzenegger, he never came back. He stuck to politics until his sunset years.
Ronald Reagan Is a Ruthless Mob Boss in The Killers
Based on Ernest Hemingway’s 1927 short story of the same name,The Killersfollows two hitmen, Charlie (Lee Marvin) and Lee (Clu Culager), who become curious after whacking a mysterious target named Johnny.Because they were paid above market rate, they figure the dead man was someone important, so they do some digging.
The hitmen discover that Johnny is a former race car driver who used to date Sheila (Angie Dickinson), the mistress of Jack Browning (Ronald Reagan), an implacable mob boss with a burning desire for malevolence.
Browning came up with the idea of robbing $1 million from a US postal truck, and Sheila suggested her secret lover as the getaway driver. However, Johnny took drastic measures and seized his one chance at wealth by choosing to flee with the money. Being the smart mob boss that he is, Browning tracked him down and shot him, aiming to leave him dead, but only managing to injure his leg. Fearing Johnny would seek revenge, Browning hired Charlie and Lee to kill him. Charlie and Lee thus pay Browning a visit.
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The Killers Has All the Genre’s Necessary Ingredients
With splendid color photography romancing the lush California suburbs, Don Siegel layersThe Killerswith a soft gauze of nostalgia and opulence that makes it all the more affecting. The filmmaker directed many other movies with straightforward efficacy and clinical attachment, but this right here is what gave him a proper idea of what he needed to focus on going forward.
Surprisingly, the film rarely gets mentioned wheneverthe greatest gangster moviesare discussed. Still,it has all the hallmarks of a classic production in the genre.
Take the usual “mobster with the unhappy wife/girlfriend" plot as an example. The trope is present inThe Godfather(Michael constantly argues with Kay),Scarface(Tony and Elviria’s marriage quickly crumbles),Goodfellas(Karen even points a gun at Henry),Casino(Ginger is ungovernable), andThe Sopranos(Carmela revenge-cheats on Tony) among many other great offerings.
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The theme of loyalty is also heavily used. Here,everyone except Johnny and Sheila is a backstabber.On top of that, there are the juicy quotes, which leaven the prevailing mood of hopelessness with a hypocritical touch.
“I approve of larceny; homicide is against my principles.”
Reagan’s character says the words above, yet plenty of blood gets splattered inThe Killers.Today, its DNA can be traced all over Hollywood.The film’s everyone-shoots-everyone ending has been borrowed by Tarantino several times, that it’s now even thought as his trademark. The best examples of a similar scene can be seen inReservoir DogsandThe Hateful Eight.Additionally,the two hitmen have the same curiosity and drive as Jules and Vince fromPulp Fiction.
…but Reagan Hated It
As good asThe Killeris, Ronald Reagansaw it as a stain on his resume.It was the odd-duck performance of his illustrious career and a far cry from his humble cowboy stint.
Throughout his time in Hollywood,he had strictly played heroes and he considered himself as one.Playing a villain thus bothered him, especially when his enemies brought up the role during the campaign period by to imply that he had no morals. Initially intended to be an NBC TV movie,the gangster flick was so violent and sexy that the network rejected it, prompting Universal Pictures to release it theatrically.
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Reagan’s motives for starring in the movie are unclear, but a bet can be made on his desire to get back to the top. Prior to this, he had lasted six years without any major movie role, a stark contrast to his early acting days where he averaged about three pictures a year. The actor had gotten a few guest roles on television, but those were nothing to be proud of. So when Don Siegel made an offer, he couldn’t say no.
Upon watching it,genre fans will feel that the former President had nothing to be ashamed of.The Killersis a classic, a gripping mob saga that should forever be revered. The film is not lacking for twisted, shocking moments of unfathomable terror or needless bloodletting, and Siegel pulls it all off so cleverly and with such great conviction that you feel yourself lured into this little abyss of crime. Don’t allow it to quietly pass you by.
The Killersis available to buy in the US on Amazon
