Happy Birthday, Mr. Reagan!

Ronald Reagan would have been 100 years old today. That's amazing. Elizabeth and I are so thankful to have been born during his presidency (and not that of the "unmentionable" follow-ups). Not only that, but we think of him as he appeared in Hollywood, so he doesn't seem nearly one hundred!

His acting career is kind of eclipsed by his political one, which is a bit of a shame, as he really was good in films. My favorite moment ever is from Errol Flynn's WWII film Desperate Journey. Reagan (with Flynn and crew) crashes into Europe when their bomber is shot down. They are captured by the Germans and taken in for questioning. The German leader is played by Raymond Massey --- who does a wonderful job of being thoroughly despicable! Reagan does a great job double-talking Massey into a right hook. This allows the bomber crew time to escape out of a conveniently placed window in the office.

Double-talking is SO cool. I wish that I knew how to do it, and nobody can do it like Ronald Reagan. He's fabulous!