The Atlantic Uncovers TV Episode Starring Ronald Reagan, James Dean

A generation removed from the Ronald Reagan era, it is often difficult to remember that the roots of America’s most beloved conservative were in Hollywood. The Atlantic has uncovered a poignant reminder of that: an episode of the 1950s program General Electric Theater starring Reagan and a pre-megastardom James Dean.

The Museum of Broadcast Communications describes General Electric Theater as “a mix of romance, comedy, adventure, tragedy, fantasy and variety music… the General Electric Theater presented top Hollywood and Broadway stars in dramatic roles calculated to deliver company voice advertising to the largest possible audience.” In the episode starring Reagan and Dean, “The Dark, Dark, Hours,” Dean played an angsty teenager seeking medical attention for a friend from Reagan, a doctor.

The episode was discovered by Wayne Federman, a writer for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon who is currently working on a compilation of Reagan’s television performances in anticipation of the president’s 100th birthday next year.

The 3-minute clip released by The Atlantic below:

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!