Filmed by an unknown amateur filmmaker, this 1941 home movie shows a “Parade of Stars” in Dixon, Illinois. It probably dates to September 13th or 14th of that year, when Reagan (then age 30) visited his hometown and brought along some of his friends including actress Louella Parsons, Bob Hope, Jerry Colona, Joe E. Brown, Bebe Daniels, Ben Lyons, Ann Rutherford and George Montgomery. The movie stars traveled aboard the train The City of Los Angeles, and the first shots are of the train arriving and the crowd gathered (11:00). There is a welcoming ceremony and then the stars get in cars for the parade. Residents are seen getting autographs from the stars. The film ends with some family shots at a house with a little girl and some chickens.

The September 26, 1941 edition of the North Central Dixon High School newspaper “The Dixini” mentioned “Dutch’s” appearance at the school on Monday, September 15th, noting that Reagan graduated in 1928 and that he starred in a number of plays at the school. Reagan was also on the football team and became a sports broadcaster.

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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