Lot 106

Ronald Reagan & Jimmy Cagney Signed Patriotic WWII-Era Script

Previous image preload Next image preload

Ronald Reagan & Jimmy Cagney Signed Patriotic WWII-Era Script

Estimate: $700 - $800

Current Bid: $600

(6 Bids)

by University Archives
July 28, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
88 Danbury Road
Suite 2A
Wilton, CT, US 06897

Ronald Reagan
Hollywood, CA, ca. 1942
Ronald Reagan & Jimmy Cagney Signed Patriotic WWII-Era Script
DS

A small archive of World War II-era Hollywoodiana! Includes part of a script signed by Warner Bros. contract players Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) as "Ronald Reagan" at lower left, and by Jimmy Cagney (1899-1986) as "J Cagney" at center left. Expected light paper folds with a few minor closed tears along some. Overall toning, else near fine. 8.5" x 11". Accompanied by seven Warner Bros. Studios printed call sheets/internal memos stapled in the upper right corner.

The script page, signed by Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Cagney, comes from an unknown war dated film in which the two were likely co-stars. The date is suggested by the script's heavy-handed patriotic content, and also by its references to Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941) and the Battle of Guadalcanal (August 1942 - February 1943). The script contains a monologue by a character named "The Guy," who represents the average American soldier. His stirring lines--timed to coincide with rapturous cued music--emphasize the importance of collective responsibility.

In part:

"The Guy: I'm a union man who hasn't missed a day's work since Pearl Harbor: I'm a guy who died in a swamp on Guadalcanal on Christmas Day in the morning… My business is telling you people off; Get that? Me -- an American -- telling you what everybody knows now except a fake or a fool or a fascist. It's too late to talk like you been talking. You may think you can kid the other 130 million of us with that kind of palaver, but you're 'way off the beam. Because we know. We're wise. We savvy where that talk comes from…Look -- here's what I'm trying to say -- here's what I know. I know that as long as anybody anywhere in this world is getting beat up -- then I can get beat up too…"

Both Ronald Reagan, whose first Warner Bros. contract was signed in 1937, and Jimmy Cagney, who collaborated with the studio on and off after 1929, supported the war effort. Reagan, who was also an Air Force Reservist, joined the Culver City, California-based First Motion Picture Unit after 1942. He and his unit produced hundreds of training and other inspirational war films during the duration of the conflict. Jimmy Cagney volunteered with the United Service Organizations, entertaining the troops on tour abroad. It's possible that the Warner Bros. actors teamed up here on a patriotic war time production.

The remainder of the archive, seven call sheets from Warner Bros. movies in production in early December 1942, paint a fascinating picture of the wartime studio. Using this group as a representative example, Warner Bros. was then juggling five separate feature length films ranging in content and style from musical comedy to melodrama, and from historical genre to political propaganda vehicles. All of the internal studio memos are signed in type by Warner Bros. studio production manager T.C. Wright, and include details about set location, wardrobe, cast, and curtain time.

The movies include:

- "Old Acquaintance," starring Bette Davis and Miriam Hopkins, eventually released in November 1943

- "Mission to Moscow," starring Walter Huston and Ann Harding (release date May 1943)

- "Devotion," a Brontë sisters biopic starring Olivia de Haviland, Ida Lupino, and Paul Henreid, released in April 1946  

- "Action in the North Atlantic," starring Humphrey Bogart and Raymond Massey (release date June 1943)  

- "Thank Your Lucky Stars," a musical revue whose stars donated their salaries to the Hollywood Canteen, eventually released in September 1943

A must-have for Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Cagney, and all Warner Bros. fans!

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: 8.5" x 11"
  • Medium: DS

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000