Jimmy Carter Was a Cinephile According to His Presidential Journal

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As a scholar delving into the intricacies of cinema and its impact on public figures, I find myself utterly captivated by the viewing habits of President Jimmy Carter. His eclectic taste in movies, ranging from timeless classics to contemporary blockbusters, reflects a man who was not only a statesman but also an avid cinephile.

What sets him apart is his ability to appreciate films that span various genres and reflect diverse aspects of society. From the political undertones of “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” to the groundbreaking X-rated “Midnight Cowboy”, Carter’s choices reveal a man who was not afraid to embrace complexity and challenge conventional norms.

His love for comedies, particularly those of Woody Allen and Mel Brooks, showcases his lighter side, reminding us that even presidents have a need to laugh and find joy in the absurdities of life. And let’s not forget the president who invited Bugs Bunny and the Road Runner into the White House!

As I delve deeper into Carter’s filmography, I can’t help but chuckle at the thought of him rewatching “Airplane” or “Caddyshack”. One can only imagine the laughter that must have filled the halls of the White House as these comedies played on the big screen.

In the end, President Carter’s passion for cinema serves as a reminder that even in the highest office, one can still find solace and entertainment in the magic of movies. As they say, sometimes the best way to escape the pressures of the Oval Office is by joining Bugs Bunny on another zany adventure!

Leading as a U.S. President is no easy task, given the responsibility of overseeing millions of citizens can be draining. Just like any other person, presidents require time to unwind and recharge. Fortunately, The White House offers a variety of facilities for relaxation, such as a bowling alley and a private cinema. Notably, Jimmy Carter, our 39th president, had an exceptional fondness for the cinema compared to his predecessors, often spending significant hours in The White House’s movie theater.

Jimmy Carter, who passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100, spent countless hours watching movies in the presidential cinema. Having created a film commission in Georgia during his governorship a few years prior to his presidency, Carter had a deep affection for cinema. He watched his beloved movie, “Rocky,” while in office and frequently screened films for friends and political colleagues. Carter expanded the range of films shown in The White House theater and displayed an eclectic taste across various genres.

Jimmy Carter Watched an Impressive Number of Films for a President

It’s not common for every president to maintain an exhaustive catalog of movies they watched during their time in office. However, Matt Novak at Gizmodo has managed to gather movie lists for some presidents from their diaries. Interestingly, Ronald Reagan, who was previously a film actor, could have potentially watched the most movies as president, but he only watched approximately 350 throughout his two terms. Richard Nixon’s list of over 500 films surpasses Reagan’s, but it’s Jimmy Carter who stands out: he managed to watch more than 400 films during just one term, which averages to around two movies per week.

His list starts with the political movie “All the President’s Men,” which he likely watched two days after assuming office to serve as a reminder of the gravity of his choices. This film depicted how The Washington Post reported on the Watergate scandal that involved the previously elected president, Richard Nixon.

Jimmy Carter frequently hosted various guests during his viewings, such as his family, staff, or external visitors. On February 4, 1978, Carter and his wife enjoyed watching “Star Wars” at Camp David alongside the former president of Egypt, Anwar al-Sadat, and his wife. This event took place during a time when Jimmy Carter was mediating talks between Egypt and Israel, eventually leading to a peace treaty between the two nations and awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to the leaders of both countries.

As president, Carter enjoyed a unique privilege of watching movies even before they were made public, such as Apocalypse Now which he screened on May 10, 1979, a full three months prior to its theatrical release. He hosted 75 guests at The White House for this special viewing, among them was the film’s director, Francis Ford Coppola.

The Former President Loved Rocky

During his tenure as president, Jimmy Carter particularly enjoyed watching the fourth film he screened – “Rocky”. Remarkably, this film became his favorite at that moment in time, as attested by his presidential archives. Interestingly, Carter first watched “Rocky” on February 19, 1977, only a few months after its release and just one month before it clinched the Oscar for Best Picture. So captivated was he by this film that he penned a letter to Sylvester Stallone, the movie’s star, the very next day. His correspondence read:

Last night, we caught Rocky at The White House, and both my family and I concur – it’s among the greatest films we’ve ever watched. Kudos on such an outstanding production!

Carter had a strong affection for that movie and decided to watch it again on June 25th of the same year with some senators and companions. Interestingly, his letter led to Sylvester Stallone’s visit to The White House on September 9th of the same year. As president, Carter even managed to catch a glimpse of “Rocky II” on July 18, 1979, just one month after its release.

Carter Had Scattered Viewing Tastes

Jimmy Carter had a diverse collection of over 400 movies on his watchlist. Among these were timeless classics such as Citizen Kane, Casablanca, and Bambi. Interestingly, he was also fond of recently released films which often led him to catch up with soon-to-be classics like The Shining and The Empire Strikes Back before they gained widespread acclaim. In his final months in office, he made a point of catching 1980’s upcoming hits like Raging Bull and Nine to Five, even watching them weeks prior to their official release.

Jimmy Carter, as president, had a mix of predictable and unconventional film choices. Predictably, he enjoyed political films like Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. However, his personal values, being those of an evangelical Christian, were reflected in less conventional picks, such as the 1979 movie Jesus. Interestingly, he also made some unexpected choices, like the X-rated film Midnight Cowboy, which was the first of its kind to be screened at The White House.

Carter didn’t limit his movie selections to just serious films. He had a penchant for comedies that he often watched with friends, family, and employees. Some of his favorites were “Airplane”, “Caddyshack”, “The Bugs Bunny and Roadrunner Movie”, as well as the works of Woody Allen and Mel Brooks. In May 1979, he watched “Manhattan” twice, and on November 6, 1980, two days after his re-election loss, he watched “The Stardust Memories” with the first lady. His collection also includes “Young Frankenstein” and “Blazing Saddles”.

The list contained several actors who were rising to fame, such as Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand. He also enjoyed watching many films featuring Roger Moore, since he was portraying James Bond during that period. Carter’s list further included “It’s a Wonderful Life” and numerous other movies starring James Stewart, including his last choice as president, “Fools’ Parade”.

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2025-01-02 00:01