And Now We Pause For A Ronald Reagan Moment
by John Nolte
The clip would be perfect had it ended at the 2:30 mark, but the scene still plays.
The film is Raoul Walsh’s “Desperate Journey” (1942), a patriotic actioner, a sort of “Gunga Din” behind German lines with a terrific cast and Reagan nearly stealing the show as the wiseacre up for any kind of adventure.
For a little context, the scene comes early in the film after Flynn and his flight crew are forced to crash land in Germany during the return flight from a bombing run. Captured immediately, they’re about to be trotted off to a prison camp when Massey’s Nazi Major makes the mistake of assuming he can cut a deal with the “American.” What follows is plenty of adventure as the boys make their way back to England using all means of transportation available, including Hermann Goering’s private rail car.
Max Steiner supplies the rousing score and the film’s final line, served up by Errol Flynn just as the coastline of England and safety comes into view, reminds that they just don’t make ‘em like this anymore: “Now for Australia and a crack at those Japs.”
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26 Comments
God Bless him.
[...] [There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.] [...]
I love the way that liquid nonsense just rolls off the tongue. He had gift for speaking even then.
It's a good thing I knew it was Reagan. If I had simply heard that double-talk without identification and a video, I would have thought I was listening to Obama's explanation of how he's going to fix the economy.
"The iron fist has a glass jaw." How absolutely prophetic if you substitute the word "curtain" for "fist." Of all the military and political types in this country, only Ronald Reagan understood that in 1980!
Not enough stuttering and giggling. Plus, what Reagan said in the video at least sounded plausible.
You're right. In fact, Boeing and Lockheed both use his plans to keep their planes aloft at high altitudes.
I love this scene! "I'm half American, half Jersey City" boy is THAT a loaded line considering the time the movie was made and who was President then.
It's a damn shame they don't make men and movies like that any more.
True.
"I am going to get us out of debt by borrowing unprecedented amounts of money" does sound a bit silly.
Viva la Revolución de Reagan
Great scene, and one hot, hunky man! Yowza! I remember watching all these old flicks back when he got elected, thinking, finally a good looking President with charm. Then I found out he had class and honor, too. Excellent!
[...] (Hat tip: John Nolte at Big Hollywood.) [...]
I also did not realize that he a good nice slice of good looks in his prime. My, my, my.
*MissQuinn*
Reagan and Flynn made a good team. One of my favorite westerns is "Santa Fe Trail" with RR as George Custer, EF as Jeb Stuart and Raymond Massey as crazy old wild eyed John Brown. In fact I think everybody in this clip was in "Santa Fe Trail".
And is that Alan Hale in there, too? It's a cavalcade of stars!
Well ,guess what boys ? It's the same situation all over again. We are being held hostage by a authoritiarian regime, whose guards are clueless, they don't have the blueprints, and they even try asking their prisoners questions. Only this time, we can't escape the country, we have to save it.
Where's our wisecracking Reagan, who can speak Obamese like Flynn, and what will the penatlies be for coldcocking the commandant and eating his breakfast ?
Before I typed in this film title on Netflix, I already knew what the response would be. Naturally, 'Exorcist Part 83' and Superman's '…all that stuff' are there but — not this film.
This film's patriotic and it honors our country, our soldiers and our ideals. So it's not available. I'm really beginning to dislike Netflix.
Oh, YEAH!!
Carolyn, Netflix buys DVDs from the producers of the DVDs. They don't manufacture them. They can only rent out what's available.
Point taken, Maggie. So now I will really dislike the producers of DVD's.
That being said – it would be nice if Netflix would have an option for its viewers to request some videos so Netflix could tell the producers to get their rears in gear and start putting out films people actually want to see.
I totally agree ! lol
Jersey City is used in a lot of movies as the origin for the street smart regular guy. Richard Conti uttered it a few times
I've never seen this flick. I'd love to, though. Alan Hale is one of my favorite character actors. Loved him in The Adventures of Robin Hood and The Sea Hawk both with Errol Flynn. Great stuff.
Right. But most today only view him as he was as an elderly man. How did we get such simple minded youth? Even McCain was a good looking guy in his day. Meanwhile Paris Hilton calls him that old guy. Do young people actually believe they will never age? The mind boggles.
[...] Max Steiner supplies the rousing score and the film’s final line, served up by Errol Flynn just as the coastline of England and safety comes into view, reminds that they just don’t make ‘em like this anymore: “Now for Australia and a crack at those Japs.” Big Hollywood [...]
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