ALS signed “Ronnie Reagan,” two pages on two adjoining sheets, 5.75 x 7.5, Plaza Hotel, New York letterhead, no date [1950s]. Reagan writes to Sam. In part: “Just a quick line about the script between TV rehearsals. You have a good story here and it should make a good picture but I feel it is too much of the thing I personally must break away from at least for a while. My career started to slip into a ‘boy next door,’ ‘nice fellow’ type of thing and I still have some of those unreleased including one in which I play a lawyer. For that reason I honestly must say no. I’m d—m grateful to you for giving me a crack at it and sorry it wouldn’t work out.” After signing, Reagan adds a postscript: “Will get the script to you.” In 1932, after graduating from Eureka, Reagan worked at radio stations WOC in Davenport, Iowa, and then WHO in Des Moines as an announcer for Chicago Cubs baseball games. As an announcer, Reagan took a screen test that led to a seven-year contract with the Warner Brothers studio. Reagan secured roles in "B" films and later in more significant pictures. His first screen credit was the starring role in the 1937 movie Love Is on the Air. By the end of 1939, he had appeared in nineteen films. Before Santa Fe Trail in 1940, he played the role of George “The Gipper” Gipp in the film Knute Rockne, All American. From this role he acquired the nickname the Gipper, which he retained the rest of his life. Reagan was viewed by his employers at the studios as a personable minor leading man with only modest acting ability, and they rarely gave him anything very interesting to do. The most memorable film that he ever appeared in was undoubtedly Kings Row. In fine condition. R&R COA.
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