Reply #41: a competent actor

[Retrograde]

who understood the importance of a good script, a good director, good props and make-up people, and everything else that goes into creating a believable illusion. While he was never a big star, back in the studio days even the minor players needed some talent, and they were trained and coached to do what was expected. I don't think he was a dunce: I think he was a craftsman who perfected making whatever he said and did appear true, whether he believed it or not.

I hope I don't come across as defending him: I think he was one of the worst things that has happened to this country. If it weren't for Reagan, we wouldn't have had George W. Bush and that's condemnation enough.