Lot 156
Reagan Ronald 1911 - 2004 Ronald Reagan discusses 'diplomacy and war' tactics with the Motion Picture Industry Council in 1954
Eight typed sheets of the "Minutes of Special Membership Meeting Of the Motion Picture Industry Council Held In The Board Room Of The Association Of Motion Picture Producers On November 22, 1954." Signed by Ronald Reagan in green ink "Ronald Reagan" as Secretary and Lou Greenspan "Lou Greenspan" as Executive Secretary. Sheets include three-hole punches. Slight toning to upper edge of sheets, else near fine.
An illuminating set of minutes held by the motion picture industry council discussing several matters. And found within the minutes is Ronald Reagan's regal commentary already sounding quite diplomatic and presidential! Among the various subjects addressed in order of presentation, include:
1. The interest to numerically compare the motion pictures of 1953 to those released in 1954, including to analyze the growth or decrease of overseas production within given categories.
2. Review a report from the Chairman of Public Relations, Mr. Rivkin, about "Shall Hollywood have a Film Festival", debating the desirability of having an International Film Festival in Hollywood including countering the arguments of a) "Where is the money coming from to finance such a project?", and b) "Our films have come off badly abroad in most of the film festivals, so why 'stick our chin out?"
3. Consider the "tastes of children attending 7th and 8th grades, with its potential for creating audiences and audience interest throughout the country"
4. Page six commences with the discussion of providing a budget for the MPIC (Motion Picture Industry Council), which involved Ronald Reagans direct input and response to the complaint of members about the present existing budget; (which at the time was designed for "existence" only --nothing else." ) Reagan's thoughts demonstrated a strong, objective purpose, a sense of diplomacy, and a unique understanding about how to gain support. He even made 'military style' metaphoric references about how to garner the interest and funding needed. He referred to the organization of the MPIC as "This organization was formed in self-defense. We had no means to tell our story. Maybe one of the things we suffer from now is the spell, of peace...
"There is no money in this budget," he said "for an other purpose except that of applying the rent, salaries, etc..." Further noting "To think of the organization going out of business because right now there isn't enough support or interest in it to raise sufficient capital to keep it intact, is like dismissing the army and navy because there is no war on" - And Mr. Reagan further referred to the various types of plans for raising revenue, including a source of income must be found. Reagan stated "There just isn't anything like MPIC in any other industry when it comes to labor and management getting together to talk with each other instead of about each other. Everybody's doing just fine but us! Maybe we have been going at it the wrong way. Let us work out exactly what this organization should do, and then say how much it would cost to do that. I would like to see what would happen if the brains of this industry sat down and prepared a program that I could take back to present to my membership. We have failed to show our people what we can sell. We must tell our membership what we hope to accomplish, before we can ask them to support the MPIC"
A very scarce unique typed document, signed by Ronald Reagan in full signature, almost a full 25 years before Reagan's presidency. However one can already hear the words of a future President in the making....
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