Veteran showbiz writer/producer Robert Kline has worked in many different capacities in Hollywood — from his first job in the mailroom at Universal Studios to his role as co-creator of William F. Buckley’s Firing Line to producing game shows like Beat the Clock and executive producing episodes of Great Mysteries. In recent years, Kline has written and directed documentaries on a range of subjects from the Vietnam War to the history of Greenwich Village to profiles of the Kennedys, the Clintons, and now, his second film about Ronald Reagan.
The Reagans: The Legacy Endures tells the story of Ronald Wilson Reagan in his own words — his journey from a small-town boy in Illinois to a career in sports broadcasting, as a respected actor in movies and on television, and, finally, his rise in politics from president of the Screen Actors Guild to governor of California to his two terms as our 40th President. I spoke to Kline by phone about his new film, now available on demand and on DVD.
Danny Miller: I have to admit that while I was never a fan of Ronald Reagan’s policies or politics, I’ve developed a certain nostalgia for the man.
Robert Kline: It’s interesting that you say that, Danny, because when I did the first Reagan film four years ago, I felt I owed it to Mrs. Reagan to tell her that I didn’t vote for her husband either time — in 1980 or 1984! I was a lifetime Kennedy Democrat. But the more I got to know Reagan through research and watching archival footage, the more I came to respect him.
I can’t imagine that I’ll ever feel that way about Reagan’s successor, George Bush — or George W. Bush, for that matter.
Yeah, I don’t think I’m going to get there with them either.
Was there anything you learned about Reagan that really surprised you?
While I was working on this film, that HBO production of Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart aired, the one with Mark Ruffalo, and the film kept referring to how Reagan had never mentioned HIV or AIDS and how he disliked gays. I thought I remembered something different from back in the 80s and then I found that segment that you see in the film where he spoke at one of Elizabeth Taylor’s AMFAR gatherings. He raised millions of dollars that night.
That was one of the most surprising things for me to see, too. He was clearly late to that discussion, but when he finally did talk about it, he was far more progressive in his attitude than most people were back then. I was quite shocked by that speech.
He also didn’t jump on board for the creation of a holiday to honor Martin Luther King, Jr., at first but he ultimately made that great speech that you see in the film with Coretta Scott King standing by his side.
That was very moving as well.
I was also impressed with what Tip O’Neill wrote about the President in his autobiography — how Reagan reached out to the Democratic Party through him when O’Neill was the Speaker of the House. Here were two Irishman, two men who loved to have a good drink and tell stories — and then they’d close the door and work out what was best for the American people. I have to say that today I have very good feelings about Ronald Reagan.
I think even people who despised Reagan’s politics have to admit that Ron and Nancy had one of the best marriages that was ever seen in the White House.
I agree and believe me, from what I know, politicians do not always make the best spouses. More than my previous documentary, I wanted this film to be more personal in terms of his relationship with Nancy. I wanted to show why she was so important to him, both in terms of their marriage but also with regards to many issues of the day including reaching out to the Russians and helping to end the Cold War. Nancy did not want him to be remembered by the Iran-Contra affair, she wanted him to be remembered more because of peace with the Soviet Union and nuclear disarmament.
That last shot in the film of the two of them walking over the film is so moving that I have to admit that I teared up.
I know — with that little kick she does to his rear end!
Since he died, I really admire Nancy Reagan’s efforts in support of stem-cell research — and her telling disapproving members of her own party to shove it.
It’s true. And there were more alliances with “the other side” during Reagan’s lifetime. When I was working on the film, someone at the Kennedy Library called me and said, “Bob, are you aware of the fact that Ronald Reagan raised $25 million for the Kennedy Library?” Jacqueline, Caroline, and John Kennedy, Jr., had come to the White House to ask for his support and Reagan gave many speeches around the country for that cause. You just don’t find that today.
And again, no matter what you thought of him, you have to admit that Regan was a phenomenal public speaker.
Absolutely. Right up there with JFK.
Including his achingly poignant letter when he announced that he was suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease. Did you have many opportunities to meet the Reagans?
Oh, I got to know Ronald Reagan very early in my career. I was in the mailroom at Universal and I used to take contracts to his hotel suite. He was also a frequent guest on the first talk show I ever produced, William F. Buckley’s Firing Line. I live in Palm Springs and Ron and Nancy would come down every year to stay with the Walter Annenbergs over the holidays. I always found them very likable.
What would you say is Reagan’s ultimate legacy for future generations?
The ability to reach out and talk to his enemies and adversaries to find solutions to serious problems. That seems to be so lacking today!