Mister Gardenia Jones

Just how many movies have you seen that feature Ronald Reagan in the shower? He is the eponymous "Deany" whose nickname is rather lengthily explained before we discover that he heard President Roosevelt on the wireless giving a foreboding speech and so joined up. He's posted to a small town where, alongside 19,999 others, he has nothing to do but kick his heels until he gets himself airborne and uses the Japanese as target practice. At least this propaganda effort has seen some effort gone into it. There is a story, there is even a script and in the end an appeal for the voluntary services organisation that need $32 millions to continue to provide essential entertainment for those training at home and fighting overseas. Basic but friendlier and less overtly jingoistic than many. A documentary, though? Hmmm!

Mister Gardenia Jones (1942)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Ronald Reagan stars in this Oscar-nominated short from writer/narrator Carey Wilson. In the film Reagan plays the title character, a young man who joins the Army in early 1941 hoping for something to do. He soon realizes that all he and thousands of other soldiers can do is sit around waiting for something to happen and it does when Pearl Harbor is attacked. This film is certainly adventurous as it tries to do a lot in its 13-minute running time. On one level it tries to be a documentary while on another level it wants to tell a simple story. Then, on yet another level, the movie wants to be a fund raiser asking for people to dip into their pockets and give money. All in all the film is fairly entertaining with the young Reagan taking the lead and giving a decent performance. Getting to see Reagan is the main reason to watch this film as there were countless WW2 films made during this period and several of them are better than this one.

There is not really a lot of substance to "Mister Gardenia Jones." In fact, it seems to be an excerpt, or perhaps a trailer for a feature film, one that apparently didn't get produced.

As a stand-alone film, it is lacking; as a promo or advertisement for the U.S.O., it is very ... well, I guess one could say "subtle." As a flag-waver or patriotic recruiter, it doesn't say much, either.

There are four major performers and one more who became one, Chill Wills, so whatever was intended, there were some good people involved.

Now, though, it seems to be almost a novelty, or a vignette of how Hollywood, and especially Warner Brothers, treated the war, and for that reason alone "Mister Gardenia Jones" is a must-see.

On December 7, 1941 - according to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, "A date which will live in infamy!" - Lieutenant Ronald Reagan (as John "Mister Gardenia" Jones Jr.) finds himself stationed in Hawaii. His pretty sweetheart Laraine Day (as Joanne) helps mother Fay Bainter (as Emmy Jones) and father Charles Winninger (as John Jones Sr.) keep the home fires burning. They have a typical American home. Writer/narrator Carey Wilson explains how Mr. Reagan came to be called "Deany" (shortened from Gardenia). Reagan and his parents survive faltering patriotism, due to boredom; but, they rally 'round the flag when the Japanese attack. The USO (United Service Organizations) want you to support them by sending money for the war cause.

*** Mister Gardenia Jones (5/29/42) Carey Wilson ~ Ronald Reagan, Fay Bainter, Charles Winninger

For no appreciable reason other than some name players acted in it, Mister Gardenia Jones was nominated for Best Short Subject in 1941. It's a nice, but not terribly exciting promotion for the United Service Organization. Our men in uniform need a place to go and things to do when they're stationed far away at military posts is the message and the USO provides same.

Fay Bainter and Charles Winninger are the parents of a soldier who has been drafted and Laraine Day his girlfriend from next door and he writes of the loneliness and boredom when he's off duty.

But what really makes this short unique and historical is the presence of two US Presidents. One of course was Franklin D. Roosevelt present via some newsreel footage. The second was a guy who probably never dreamed he'd be president at that point in time. Ronald Reagan is in the title role and while he took top prize in politics, the Oscar this short was nominated for was the closest he'd come to one in his other profession. Ironic ain't it.