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Gerald Ford: Fascist Insect

Jonathan Myerson's entertaining new dramas follow the political swings of The Republican Party, through the personal stories of its Presidents.

Entertaining new dramas following the political swings of The Republican Party, through the personal stories of its Presidents.

Closely based on the accounts of those who were there, we imagine the triumphs and disasters which have driven the party's electoral fortunes.

1975. After Nixon鈥檚 resignation, President Gerald Ford is fighting for his political survival. But the country is in chaos - and his party is disintegrating.

Challenger Ronald Reagan is attacking in weekly radio broadcasts: 鈥淢ake America Great Again鈥 is his big catchphrase.

Saigon has just fallen, the Panama Canal is threatened and d茅tente looks like a sell-out. There鈥檚 political fervour on the streets. Even Patty Hearst, celebrity rich-girl kidnap victim, seems to have turned terrorist.

Then a small-time FBI informant decides that she is the woman to catalyse the revolution.

She buys a gun - and aims it at the President.

Written by Jonathan Myerson

Produced and directed by Jonquil Panting

Sara Jane Moore . . . Sian Thomas
Gerald Ford . . . Nathan Osgood
Betty Ford . . . Barbara Barnes
Bob Hartmann . . . Daniel Betts
Jerry terHorst . . . Kerry Shale
Benton Becker . . . John Macmillan
Bert Worthington . . . Philip Desmeules
Richard Nixon . . . Jonathan Hyde
Detective Callaghan . . . Stephen Hogan
Kat . . . Emma Handy
Lud . . . Sean Murray
Writer . . . Jonathan Myerson
Director . . . Jonquil Panting

Available now

44 minutes

Broadcasts

  • Sat 20 Oct 2018 14:30
  • Fri 8 Jan 2021 14:15