The Films of Ronald Reagan Trivia Quiz

Answer: Knute Rockne-All American

Pat O'Brien starred as Knute Rockne in the biography film as the famous football coach. His first All American football player was George Gipp. Gipp died of strep throat and pneumonia, as there were no medicines to treat these. His last words were reported to be "tell the boys to win one for the Gipper". O'Brien uses those words in a half time speech when Norte Dame is behind to encourage the team to come back in the second half according to "Knute Rockne, All American" (1940). It became one of his nicknames.

Rotten Tomatoes: 83%.

Answer: This Is the Army

Reagan appears as Lieutenant Ronald Reagan in uniform that was his rank during his military service. This 1943 film was hampered by a paper thin plot bolstered by lots of musical acts and stage productions. Most of the cast were contract players who had little choice and a few stars. The purpose was to unify citizens in the World War effort and lift spirits. Today his performance would be classified as a cameo.

The most remembered song in the film is "This Is the Army" by Irving Berlin.

Rotten Tomatoes: 53%

Answer: The Winning Team

The film follows "Alex" from a naïve Nebraska farm boy to become one of the premier pitchers in baseball. However, his descent into alcoholism brings his career to a ragged edge. He recovers and regains his skills. The 'winning team' is his wife, Aimee, played by Doris Day, who stands by him through difficult times.

Rotten Tomatoes: 63%

Answer: The Hasty Heart

Although Ronald Reagan played a key role in this film, Richard Todd is the central character. All of the men look forward to returning home but the Richard Todd character is dying and will never leave. He is in a state of denial and as a result is mean-spirited and disliked by the men. He explains his behavior: "They say sorrow is born in the hasty heart," and the cruelty of being an illegitimate child resulting in being suspicious of the motives of others. The men contribute to buy him a new kilt but he believes they only do this because he is dying. However, Yank convinces him that it comes from the heart.

Richard Todd received an Academy Award nomination.

Rotten Tomatoes: 70%

Answer: Bedtime for Bonzo

Ronald Reagan plays psychology professor Peter Boyd who believes that a chimpanzee can be brought up to have human emotions and morals. He acts as a surrogate father and hires Diana Lynn as the mother.

One reviewer wrote: "A minor bit of fun yielding a respectable amount of laughs but nothing, actually, over which to wax ecstatic."

Another wrote that Reagan "must have felt like the world's sappiest straight man playing this silly role".

Political opponents and comedians never let Reagan forget this movie.

Rotten Tomatoes: 67%

Answer: The Voice of the Turtle

In the Biblical "Songs of Solomon" is written, "The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land." However, most translations of the Bible use 'turtledove'.

Reagan plays Sgt. Bill Page who is stood-up by Olive Lashbrooke (Eve Arden) but it turns out well, as he falls for Sally Middleton (Eleanor Parker). He stays at her apartment as all the hotels are filled. Later, Olive tries to regain Bill but love conquers all in this romantic comedy.

Rotten Tomatoes: 67%

Answer: A military school

This film was based on the experiences of former graduates on the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) and developed into a romantic comedy. Billy Randolph (Wayne Morris), Dan Crawford (Ronald Reagan) and Bing Edwards (Eddie Albert) are three good-natured troublemakers who are trying to make amends for their past difficulties prior to graduation. Yet the more they try, the more difficult it becomes. Most of the movie was filmed on the VMI campus. A 'rat' was an incoming recruit.

Rotten Tomatoes: 56%

Answer: The Killers

Ronald Reagan plays a role that was quite different from his normal comfort zone. He plays the brutal head of a gang. The John Cassavetes character was involved in criminal activities with Reagan and, therefore, what became of the loot is a question but since he also had an affair with Angie Dickenson, his girl friend and the femme fatale, he wants him dead. The killing takes place early in the film and the story is laid out in flashbacks.

This was the last movie Ronald Reagan appeared in as he began to spend his time as president of the Screen Actors Guild.

Rotten Tomatoes: 79%

Answer: Prisoners of war (POWs)

"Resisting Enemy Interrogation" (1944) received an Academy Award nomination in 1945 for best feature-length documentary. It starred Arthur Kennedy, Mel Tormé, Lloyd Nolan, and Craig Stevens. It is a work of fiction and would not qualify as a documentary under today's standards.

Rotten Tomatoes: N/A

Answer: Kings Row

Ronald Reagan was the second male lead in this film with Robert Cummings as the lead. But the sub-plot with Reagan is the most memorable. Drake McHugh (Reagan) is a fun loving fellow who is the best friend to Parris Mitchill (Robert Cummings). Drake is to inherit a fortune when he reaches age but the banker who had control of the fortune steals the money. Destitute, he finds work on the railroad but has an accident. Dr. Gordon (Charles Coburn) is called in to treat him and as a sadistic measure amputates his legs that was unnecessary. Drake awakens and shouts, "Where is the rest of me!" Reagan hoped that his dramatic performance would bring better acting roles but was drafted shortly after.

This a feature film soap opera that had Ann Sheridan as top billing. Ronald Reagan used this quote as the title of his autobiography.

Rotten Tomatoes: 100% critics; 78% audiences.