Today, Wednesday, May 13, I spoke at a private gathering of influential conservatives in
Washington, DC. Oasis flyer was posted on accompanying screens as I spoke. No photos, recordings or
videos were allowed, as the meeting is OTR. Below photo of me was
taken shortly after I spoke by a kindly employee in the building around the corner from site of meeting, where I
parked. Also, see below for the text of my remarks, as
well as notes on my off the cuff remarks at the end. [For more information on the book and book tour, see my website.]
Thank you,
___ (moderator).
It’s ironic.
The last time I came here, we were working to sideline Hillarycare. Now,
umpteen years later, we’re working to sideline Hillary. But, more importantly we’re working to
nominate the next Reagan. Because, for all his flaws, one thing Barack Obama has
done marvelously well, is teed up, Jimmy Carter-like, a president of similarly
historic proportions.
But, today I’m
here to talk briefly about Hollywood, home of American cinema, and the stars
we’ve all grown to love and admire.
Stars from
Hollywood’s Golden Age, whom some of you may not be so familiar with. BUT YOU SHOULD.
Because, in
fact, they were some of Reagan’s best friends, and they helped tell stories of
American greatness and straightforwardness that are important to absorb.
For
instance, Gary Cooper, who coincidentally died 54 years ago today, and about
whom I write among my “all-star twelve,” famously starred in Sergeant York (1941), High Noon (1952), Pride of theYankees (1941), Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), and on and on. If you haven’t seen these
films, do! [Then, I asked how many
knew Coop and about 2/3 of the hands shot up.]
My book, with
a foreward by Mother Dolores Hart, whom you may have seen on The O’Reilly Factor earlier this year, looks at these stars through the lens of their
humanity, telling the story of their lives, the very beats and arc of which
show how they were transformed by faith.
In so doing, I am attempting to transform your understanding of these legends, helping you to see them in a whole
new light. As my friend Harry Flynn, who
was publicist to many stars, including Bob Hope, said, Oasis shows the soul behind the billboard.
But, first,
let’s step back and look at Hollywood through the political lens you are
accustomed to.
Hollywood,
of course, used to be a denizen of conservative Republicans. It still is, to a
certain degree—stars like Kelsey Grammer, and many more, still proud
Republications. Though, as we all know, it is not considered quite as fashionable to be a Republican
in Hollywood these days as it once was. (Though fashion, like beauty, is in the
eye of the beholder.)
But, when
Hollywood was just making its mark on the American psyche, it was very fashionable, indeed, to be a
Republican. Most of those who built Hollywood belonged to the Grand Old Party.
People like Mary Pickford, Louis B. Mayer, Cecil B. DeMille, John Ford, Cooper, John Wayne, Bob Hope, and of course, Ronald Reagan, to name just a few—many of whom I write about in
“Oasis.”
Most of the
stars I write about experienced some kind of crisis that brought them face to
face with their human weakness and their need for God.
It’s just
that simple.
In depicting
this phenomena, I write the life stories
of these stars, because you can’t begin to understand someone unless you know
where they came from, what they achieved and how, what their weaknesses and
strengths were—and how far they fell, or merely drifted—to understand how
incredible their journey and discovery of God was.
My book
includes Alfred Hitchcock, Cooper, Bob Hope, Mary Astor, John Wayne, Ann
Sothern, Jane Wyman, Susan Hayward, Lana Turner, Betty Hutton, Ann Miller and
Patricia Neal.
It was a
privilege to write about these stars, entering into their lives, gaining an
appreciation for how much they endured in their climb to the top. Because,
believe me, nothing was handed to
them on a silver platter. Then came the celebrity and fame. And, what that does to a soul! And, the
predictable problems. They were, after all, mere mortals, the Hollywood
publicity machine notwithstanding. That machine, in fact, often ginned up as
much publicity as problems.
But, then,
in the amazing way that God brings good out of evil, these problems, in fact, were
what led them to God.
[Then, I added some off the cuff comments, noting
that while Hollywood viewed Washington as “Hollywood for Ugly People” and Washington,
especially conservatives, view Hollywood as the source of many national ills,
the truth is the art of communication, which Ronald Reagan knew so well, was
something he largely learned in Hollywood. It’s important to study this art—to
get your message out. Then, I noted,
while this book does not cover any policy issues—the point of these meetings
being to advance a conservative policy agenda—it does highlight the importance
of God and, given the tough times we’re going through—and the gridlock in
Washington—if we hope to achieve anything of value to the nation, we certainly need the help of God.]
The West
Coast kickoff of Oasis:
Conversion Stories of Hollywood Legends was a whirlwind. From my
base in the Hollywood Hills, the trip lasted from Tuesday, April 28 to Tuesday,
May 5, and included many opportunities to meet key players to lay the groundwork for publicizing the book. 
