Exploiting Hollywood 1980.

Chapter 1374 This is a personal grudge

"Ms. Nancy, it's been a long time since we last met. These letters were collected by Marlene Dietrich during her lifetime. They are the correspondence between you and your husband and wife that lasted for decades. I just found these letters by chance when I bought Marlene Dietrich's apartment in Manhattan.

Now they can be returned to their owners. In addition, I have donated money to the foundation and library of President Ronald Sr. I hope Ms. Nancy can publish those letters that do not involve personal privacy. Mr. Ronald Sr. has always been a role model for us in Hollywood. He went from a star to the position of president. He is one of the greatest presidents of this century. "

"Thank you, Little Ronnie, thank you...Old Ronnie is not in good condition, so I am the only one who came to attend your donation ceremony this time."

Ronald Sr. had seen little of them since he retired, rarely appearing in private or in the public media, and then retreating to their Orange County home after a nationwide tour, speaking to a few loyal fans.

Three years ago, after the publication of Ronald Sr.'s autobiography, he gradually reduced his public appearances. After 1992, he even rarely participated in his favorite library activities.

"What happened? Is there anything I can do to help?" Ronald frowned. Old Ronald was not a leader who cared much about his own interests. He even used the power of pardon on celebrities, such as the owner of the New York Yankees, Frank Sinatra, and others, instead of his own connections.

"Oh, little Ronnie." Nancy took Ronald's hand, sat down in the lounge, and began to talk about her hard work.

After retirement, Ronald's health deteriorated rapidly. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and often needed close care from someone close to him. Nancy became his personal nurse, and sometimes she was overwhelmed.

The position of President really depends on the individual. Old Ronald developed this cognitive impairment shortly after his retirement. Now he can only rely on the Secret Service, the foundation library, and some royalties from his autobiography to support his expensive experimental medical and nursing expenses.

"Don't worry, Ms. Nancy. The President did not forget us in Hollywood when he was in office, and we in Hollywood will not forget him after he retires." Ronald comforted the old lady and told her that there were many old friends in Hollywood who still remembered her husband and would organize a charity fund for Alzheimer's disease so that she could take care of old Ronald with love instead of fatigue.

"Thank you, Ronald. Actually, we don't have many good friends left in Hollywood." Nancy felt Ronald's sincere concern. The next president, George Sr., had stepped down and few people remembered them.

"Let's go out and meet the reporters. I'll ask the people in the library to contact as many media as possible and have the news published in more newspapers..." After retiring, old lady Nancy saw things more clearly. Ronald definitely didn't donate money to her for no reason. Since he wanted to do something, she might as well give him a hand.

"Ronald Sr. is a little tired today and cannot attend the donation ceremony of these letters in person. Marlene Dietrich was a mutual friend of ours when she was alive. I am very happy to see these testimonies of historical friendship being brought to light once again."

Nancy gave a personal speech to thank Ronald for his donation. Although some of the library staff present did not quite understand what special meaning the letters written by the former first couple when they were stars in Hollywood had for the President-elect's Library, they all applauded vigorously. After all, not many people care about them now.

“Today is a very honorable day for me. I am a loyal fan of Marlene Dietrich, a golden age movie star in Hollywood. I also like the movies shot by Ms. Nancy and President Ronald in Hollywood. At that time, Hollywood was full of a joyful atmosphere.

I am very happy to use the library as a platform to let more Americans understand Hollywood's past artistic achievements, and I also welcome researchers who are interested in compiling the history of Hollywood at that time to use these letters..."

Now, the library staff below were even happier. Who could have thought that the things that happened to the great commander, old Ronald, when he was a celebrity, would also be studied?
……

"Director Ronald donated a batch of Marlene Dietrich's letters to the Ronald Sr. President Library. He said there are more letters at the Marlene Dietrich Research Foundation in New York, and any researcher interested can apply to view them.

Ronald said that he is a fan of early Hollywood stars such as Marlene Dietrich and Greta Garbo, and hopes to have the opportunity to see more of their films. This is very valuable learning material for current film directors and film students. "

The next day, all kinds of media reported the news of the donation. For a time, people from all walks of life were like a pot of boiling water, and they kept calling Richard, the agent. Old Hollywood stars, old directors, and old producers who had heard of it and those who had not heard of it all came to inquire whether these letters would be released to the public.

Ronald didn't answer many calls himself, but he answered calls from several very famous old directors, including Billy Wilder. Ronald responded to them in a very good manner, saying that he would abide by the unspoken rules of Hollywood autobiography and biography writing. He didn't need to use any sensational gossip to increase sales. His only goal was to hope that more people would remember and appreciate the acting skills of this big star back then.

There was only one call he expected, from Kirk Douglas, but it was his son Michael Douglas who finally got through to Ronald.

"Ronald, my father is coming to see you. I hope you can take the time to see him. I can't go with him, but I love this old man. I hope you can be a little nicer to him."

"Don't worry, your father and I have no grudges. This has nothing to do with him, but it's a very good thing to meet him. I will explain everything to him..."

In fact, Michael Douglas didn't have much affection for his father, but the old man's scandal still had some impact on him. After Ronald said this, Michael was relieved on the spot and went back to call the old man Kirk who had already flown to Los Angeles to tell him.

"Ronald..." That night, the old man Kirk Douglas, accompanied by a nurse, visited Ronald's home in Beverly Park.

Ronald didn't let Diane stay at home. This old pervert and felon made him feel sick when he saw his wife. In addition, Diane looked a bit like Natalie Wood, whom he bullied back then, so he called her in advance and asked her and the children to visit Demi Moore.

Nanny Wang, who looked like a southern comb-haired girl, treated Diane like her own daughter. She came out to serve coffee to Kirk Douglas with an expression as if she was looking at a class enemy. The old man shuddered and spilled some on his pants, leaving a stain that looked like he had peed because of his age.

"Mr. Douglas, I am a fan of your movie, 'I Am Spartacus!'" Ronald laughed. This time he was not seeking justice for the victims of that year, nor was he going to attack the former leading star who was very prestigious among Jewish actors.

"Oh, happy old times..." Kirk Douglas felt a little relieved. With Ronald's opening like that, there must be something to talk about.

"I heard that this is the first time that the screenwriter of this movie, Trumbo, has been given the opportunity to sign his name with his real name since he was blacklisted by the McCarthy Committee? You are truly an example of someone who speaks up for injustice." Ronald smiled again and derived the main theme of today's conversation from the movie Spartacus.

This Trumbo is a strange man. He was famous in Hollywood as a screenwriter, but was later accused of anti-Americanism and spent several years in prison. After he was released from prison, he was blacklisted and had no job, so he wrote and revised scripts for others anonymously. His anonymous works "Roman Holiday" and "Over the Horizon" both won the Oscar for Best Screenplay.

After restoring his real name, other important works such as "Spartacus" and "Exodus" were nominated. Kirk Douglas also did some public-spirited things back then. When talking to him today, Ronald first put himself in the position of being treated unfairly.

"You are also a successful producer and a good friend of Michael. If anyone else were here, I would not admit what I am about to say. In fact, I did it for the promotion of the movie. Trumbo agreed to write Exodus for Otto Preminger and it was published in the newspaper. I wanted to grab the first opportunity to restore his signature..."

Kirk Douglas was also very frank. He first used his son to build relationships and also expressed his attitude that everything could be discussed. He could no longer show off his seniority when dealing with Ronald. He could only discuss the matter based on the facts.

"Look, Mr. Douglas, I'm now in the same predicament as Trumbo was back then. Some people - some friends told me that they are the scum of your race - want to put me in the same situation as Trumbo back then, and even slandered me as a spy..."

"I think they have lost their minds," Kirk Douglas said. "There are some people in our community who cannot see the situation clearly and want to do things that influence other countries' policies. In fact, such people are a minority in our community in Hollywood..."

"So you don't object to me fighting back against them?" Ronald took out his collection of fine brandy and premium cigars and gestured to ask Kirk Douglas if he wanted some.

"Of course, of course, I totally agree..." With his weakness in Ronald's hands, Kirk Douglas no longer had the ambition he had in his early years. These things could be seen as a joke in Hollywood back then, and even became a proof of the masculine charm of male stars.

But the current social atmosphere has changed. Last year was the year of women in American politics. Beating and raping female celebrities, in the hands of two female California senators, is definitely a good opportunity to increase political bargaining chips. Even if they cannot be prosecuted legally, they can still ruin their reputation.

After smoking Ronald's cigar and drinking his brandy, Kirk Douglas was reminded of his time with those big-name producers. This young man, Ronald, was truly unfathomable.

"But if we open the research to all researchers, will it lead to the destruction of the privacy of some of Marlene Dietrich and her friends? You know, for us old men and women, all we have left are memories of the glorious past, and we don't want to see these memories destroyed by new reporters before we die... After all, we are in a different era, and the times are constantly progressing..."

Kirk Douglas still has some concerns about this treatment. Where to go after death is a matter between him and God, but he does not want to see his reputation at risk of being destroyed.

"You are very thoughtful. That's why I want to organize a committee, including Billy Wilder, Gregory Peck and others. If you want to apply for research, you must get the full consent of the committee before you can give them some sensitive private letters..."

Ronald also brought forward a solution he had been thinking of for a long time. This batch of letters was a time bomb for many people. If he wanted to prevent it from exploding while maintaining deterrence, he had to let everyone know that he had them, and also let everyone know that he would not go crazy and bomb them indiscriminately, and would only detonate them when faced with some serious threats.

"You said so?" Kirk Douglas's ambition was aroused again. If he had these things back then, he would definitely have kept them in his hands as a threat...

"Of course, I want Michael to join the committee as well. After all, he is familiar with the parties involved..."

"Well... this is also a good arrangement."

Michael Douglas will certainly defend his reputation now that Kirk Douglas is sober, but his inclusion on the committee will also be a threat to those who want to eliminate hidden dangers directly.

This is a statement that Kirk Douglas is on Ronald's side. And now that Michael Douglas is on board, they have to ride the same boat.

"This is a very good arrangement. It not only takes into account the needs of research, but also protects the privacy of the parties involved. I can't think of a better way." Kirk Douglas had an idea that if Ronald was born in Hollywood in the 1930s, with such means and scheming, if he had someone to help him, he would probably be able to make it.

"Hahaha, you said it well, I will call Michael..." Ronald raised his glass.

"Young man, you make me want to go back to my youth and compete with you. Maybe we can even work together on a movie or two." Kirk Douglas finally put on his diaper. He breathed a sigh of relief, but when he saw the stain on his pants, he couldn't help but say a few words.

"Ronald, Jews used to be a discriminated ethnic group in Hollywood, but we united because of this. Sometimes, some people may have gone too far, but I don't think it was all directed at individuals. Sometimes... After all, we now occupy most of the important positions in the seven major studios..."

Kirk Douglas also wanted to give some advice as an older person.

"No, this is a personal grudge..." Ronald's expression remained unchanged, but his smile became more threatening.

"Yes, from your perspective, that may be the case, but those people sometimes think about protecting the interests of the entire ethnic group..."

"I think you heard wrongly, Kirk..." Ronald interrupted the old man rudely, "It's not about what he thinks, but what I think. There is a saying in the Old Testament of the Jews that I really appreciate, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth... I just regard it as a personal grudge now, and I don't think of it as an attack on me by the entire Jewish community, at least not now..."

Kirk Douglas blushed and wanted to say something else, but didn't, and then he left.

……

"Ronald, why did you put me on this committee? It's all old stories from the past..."

Afterwards, Michael Douglas also came to visit Ronald. He was actually disgusted by some of the things his father had done in the past and didn't want to hear about them.

"I recently came back from Japan. Director Akira Kurosawa asked me to help him publish his film videotapes in America. I plan to discuss with Lucas, Coppola, Spielberg, Scorsese and others to re-print some new copies from the negative film.

Many videotapes nowadays are reprints of original films, and they have many traces of screening. In addition, I also think that many old Hollywood classics have similar problems. I thought that you were born into an orthodox Hollywood star family. Are you interested in republishing some old films together? "

"This is a great thing. I'm very interested. Actually, the copyrights are in a mess. If you're not familiar with them, you don't know who to negotiate with." Michael Douglas was quickly attracted by this opportunity to gain both fame and fortune.

……

"Hey, hey, what are you doing? I am entering the country to deal with the rude accusations against my company. America is a country ruled by law. Can you arrest me at the airport customs without prosecution and court judgment?"

At the same time, the owner of Regent Pictures, Ion Milchan, was harassed by some uniformed men at customs at the Los Angeles airport. When they saw his passport, they asked him to go to a small room next door for an interview.

Someone told him yesterday that the FBI and IRS have launched an investigation into Regency Pictures and its predecessor, Ambassador Pictures, for tax evasion using international offshore companies and for activities that affect America's national security.

The Israeli citizen immediately flew back to Los Angeles from his hometown to deal with the matter, but he ran into trouble at the airport. It seemed that Mossad had insiders in the CIA and FBI, and their information was very accurate. Someone wanted to charge him with espionage.

"Mr. Milchan, we are from the Immigration Planning Bureau," several uniformed men showed their INS credentials, "We are not responsible for your affairs in America. We are looking for you because your multiple entry and exit visa application has been revoked due to false materials, so you are not allowed to enter. Please return to Israel and apply for a travel visa again. The length of each stay will be approved by the Immigration Planning Bureau separately..."

"Shxt... talk to my lawyer about this..." Einon Milchan was furious. This was nothing. Although Israelis do not have visa-free treatment to come to America, travel visas have always been easy to approve. Business visas are just slightly shorter than those in Europe and Britain. There is no inconvenience at all.

"You can use the phone here..." The person from the Immigration Planning Bureau smiled, took the phone and asked him to make a call.

"Mr. Milchan, lawyer Haddad was arrested by the FBI. They said he was suspected of spying for Israel... and reporters came to the door of the law firm to take pictures..." Milchan's lawyer Haddad was detained by the FBI this morning. The photo of him in handcuffs taken by journalists will appear in tonight's evening paper.

"Damn it..." After making a number of phone calls and not finding anyone, Einon Milchan became angry and afraid that he would be arrested by the FBI, so he had no choice but to buy a ticket and return to Israel.

(End of this chapter)