I have a hitherto untold Reagan story....

[PCIntern]

You're gonna have to take my word for this...

My mother of blessed memory was married to a gentleman who was my brother's father. He died very young of kidney disease which would be easily curable now, assuming on has health insurance - but that is a post for another time. Anyway, my brother's dad was an actor who was in theater in Philadelphia and was attempting to make a move to the big time, although that of course has always been difficult. One of his buddies was a young, rising actor named Burgess Meredith. When Meredith debuted on Broadway, my mom and her husband went up to the premiere and stayed with friends. Over months, they would occasionally take the train and visit with folks, and one night they went to a party. At the party was a young couple, also actors, by the names of Jane Wyman and Ronald Reagan. Reagan apparently drank heavily and often and at this particular party, he leaned over to ostensibly kiss his wife, Jane, but instead he bit her nose so hard that it bled all over the place (as noses are wont to do) and she started screaming and running for the bathroom. The eventually-to-be-canonized Saint Ronald thought it was a riot and just laughed and laughed at her even when she finally came out of the bathroom all bandaged.

I heard this story when I was a kid watching Death Valley Days after "the Old Prospector" died and they replaced him with Reagan. It is one of my earliest memories and my mom would repeat the story to anyone who would listen while the 1980 Presidential Campaign was ongoing. You can only imagine what she had to say after that disaster.

[Hepburn]

1. I always suspected him of being a nose biter...

...amongst other things.

[Berry Cool]

2. ...and he would come back to bite us all in the ass. n/t

[knowbody0]

3. my dad caught a bullet between his teeth in WWII

and that's why he had a golden cap on one quarter of his front tooth.

I believed this story until I repeated it to a room full of adult friends.

your story reminded me of that embarassing night for me. I believe your story. you should share it with Ron.

[liberalmuse]

4. That is so bizarre...

...sadistic and creepy, I don't know how to comment, LOL.

[PCIntern]

5. I'll tell you one thing...

my mother never told an untrue story in her life. she almost never 'white-lied' and thus had few friends (when she was younger - she mellowed as she aged).

Friend: How do you like this dress on me?

Mom: You look dumpy.


Friend: What do you think of my husband?

Mom: He's a glad-handing, lying pain in the ass.


You get the drift...

[Hepburn]

6. Soooooo....do you take after her?

:evilgrin:

[PCIntern]

7. sometimes...

usually not...but I get my end in if someone effs me over, believe me.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. People do the weirdest shit when fully sauced

trust me. Seen VIPs and common folk do really weird shit as a medic.

So yes, I believe it... truly.

Some of the really weird shit I saw... I've got to protect the guilty, and I know you get it.... but it is hysterical. Some of it is not.

[mascarax]

9. I believe it - poor Jane, the only woman who got her freedom from Ronald F. Reagan

(as my friend used to say!)

Sadly, Jane claimed she voted for him (I like to think she lied).

[monmouth]

10. I love, love stories like that. Many thanks....n/t

[PCIntern]

11. you're very welcome...

my mom enjoyed relating it...you could tell, even with her downturned mouth evidencing her disgust.

[Octafish]

12. Pruneface had a violent streak, alright.

Can't stand the guy, worst president ever -- until the Bushes I and II.

Thank you for the story, PCIntern. I will not forget it.