Produced in 1966 by the Los Angeles County Republican Central Committee with the Republican State Central Committee of California, “The Victory Squad” is a get-out-the-vote film starring veteran Hollywood actor John Wayne and Ronald Reagan who was then gubernatorial candidate for the Republic Party. The film was made in support of the 1966 California gubernatorial election which was held on November 8, 1966. The election was a contest between incumbent Governor Pat Brown, the Democratic candidate, and actor Ronald Reagan, the Republican candidate. This film was part of Reagan’s campaign effort to mobilize conservative voters. He succeeded and defeated Brown. T
Description: The Los Angeles County Republican Central Committee with the Republican State Central Committee present The Victory Squad. Victory Squad Chairman Willard Chilcott. Produced and directed by Kurt Simon and starring Ronald Reagan. Hosted by John Wayne. John Wayne talks to the camera in Marina Del Rey, 1:30. The Republican Victory Squad. Ronald Reagan speaks in front of an electoral map, 2:21. Women campaign workers type and stuff envelopes, 2:40. Newspaper headline announcing election, 4:08. Man and woman in office, 4:15. Victory Squad headquarters, 4:50. Volunteers show up at Victory Squad headquarters, 5:13. Man explains responsibilities of volunteers to the Victory Squad, 6:00. Files from the Victory Squad, 6:16. Woman briefs the volunteers of the Victory Squad, 6:32. Man shows the volunteers an electoral map, 6:52. Woman walks down the street, 7:20. Man talks to a woman about voting, 7:50. Woman answers phone, 8:00. Ronald Reagan talks to volunteer, 8:15. Man and woman talk about voting, 8:15. Doorknob hangers, 9:00. Man in wheelchair, 9:20. Ronald Reagan speaks to the camera, 9:40. Ronald Reagan reads Winston Churchill, 10:20. John Wayne talks to the camera, 10:40. Volunteer card, 11:00.
Throughout most of his life, John Wayne was a vocally prominent conservative Republican in Hollywood, supporting anti-communist positions. An ardent anti-communist and vocal supporter of the House Un-American Activities Committee, he made Big Jim McLain (1952) with himself as a HUAC investigator to demonstrate his support for the cause of anti-communism. His personal views found expression as a proactive inside enforcer of the “Black List” denying employment and undermining careers of many actors and writers who expressed their personal political beliefs earlier in life. Declassified Soviet documents reveal that, despite being a fan of Wayne’s movies, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin according to some sources contemplated assassination of Wayne for his frequently espoused anti-communist politics.
Wayne supported Vice President Richard Nixon in the presidential election of 1960, but expressed his vision of patriotism when John F. Kennedy won the election: “I didn’t vote for him but he’s my president, and I hope he does a good job.” He used his star power to support conservative causes, including rallying support for the Vietnam War by producing, codirecting, and starring in the financially successful The Green Berets (1968).
Due to his status as the highest profile Republican star in Hollywood, wealthy Texas Republican Party backers asked Wayne to run for national office in 1968, as had his friend and fellow actor Senator George Murphy. He declined, joking that he did not believe the public would seriously consider an actor in the White House. Instead, he supported his friend Ronald Reagan’s runs for Governor of California in 1966 and 1970. He was asked to be the running mate for Democratic Alabama Governor George Wallace in 1968, but he rejected the offer and actively campaigned for Richard Nixon; Wayne addressed the 1968 Republican National Convention on its opening day. For a while, he was also a member of the anti-communist John Birch Society.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
