And as America’s first movie matinee idol President the Great Communicator was always going to live for ever on the big screen, which is why it’s surprising that we’ve had to wait this long for the Return of Ronnie Reagan and a movie of his life.
For Fifty Somethings Reagan was really the President we all grew up with and a larger-than-life, or Spitting Image latex puppet head, character.
But the lampoons of the 40th President of the United States aside they do the Great Man a great discredit.
It is timely to honour the Old Cowboy who bestrode the great divide of American society.
And was also the main driver in the end of the Cold War.
When I reconnected with America after a 20-year pause in the Noughties Reagan was on the rise again.
He had alas left us after a dignified battle with Dementia.
But the torch had been passed down through his great friends, the Bushes.
A Capitol idea
And I found myself in the company in Washington DC of those who protected his legacy at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
It was my first I hope of many meetings with the Great and Good of American travel at IPW which was being hosted by the nation’s capital.
And arriving at the Washington Hilton Hotel forecourt I felt a chill.
Like millions must have since the President was shot by John Hinckley Jnr.
Now to find Reagan’s stamp in Washington you’ll want to go to the Rotunda in the Capitol.
Where he stands resplendent on a plinth significantly on top of fragments of the Berlin Wall.
Donated by the state of California which he served with distinction as a governor.
Playing it by the book
It is, of course, the Golden State which is most associated with Reagan.
And that is where his Presidential Library has curated the artefacts of his time in the White House.
And we get regular updates on all they are doing out there.
To promote his life and his legacy in today’s America.
Including for this descendant of Ireland a recreation of the Irish pub where he drank on his state visit in 1984.
Whether that will pop up in the titular movie, well, we’re still waiting.
On our invite over to Simi Valley for the premiere.
Reagan is based on a on the 2006 book by Paul Kengor The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism.
And it follows Ronnie (Dennis Quaid) and his life from his childhood.
To his years as POTUS, told by former KGB agent Viktor Ivanov (Jon Voigt).
Out in the States on August 30, it’s one more for the Gipper which all you Reaganites will instantly recognise.
The 47th President of America: In Washington DC