Lights out for Bonzo
Sunday, 6 June 2004
On the eve of Ronald Reagan’s re-election as President of the USA in 1984 I went to an all-night showing of his movies at, I think, the Scala in Kings Cross. Most of them were absolutely dire although, I must admit, Bedtime for Bonzo was rather fun. The film concerns the attempt by a professor, played by Reagan, to teach human morals to a chimpanzee and is the sort of movie you might watch to wile away a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Reagan the actor was no great shakes although, to be fair, he never claimed to be. I think he once referred to himself as the “Errol Flynn of B-movies”. Reagan the politician was something else entirely. He liked to come across almost as a bumbling idiot with a great store of homilies for any occasion. Lost your dog? Ron’s your man! I always suspected that his assumed persona hid a man of enormous conviction, ruthlessness and intelligence. I’ve no doubt that he was also charming, good-natured and fun to be with; my gran would probably have called him “That nice Mr Reagan”.
Achievements of Ronald Reagan
- Support for Saddam Hussain during the time when he was gassing his own people and waging war on Iran.
- Support for fascist governments throughout the world but especially in central and south America.
- The overthrow of the elected government in Nicaragua by the US backed Contra rebels.
- The secret sale of arms to Iran in order to finance the overthrow of the Nicaraguan government.
- The impoverishment of millions of Americans brought about by cuts in taxes and welfare payments.
- The increase in the US national debt to $3 trillion.
- Star Wars.
So, goodbye Ronnie. A terrible way to go but I can’t say I’m sad that you’ve gone.
Posted 6 June 2004, 14:19 BST
