Presidential Politics in the Roaring '20s

Blogs, Iraq and same-sex marriages are on the minds of presidential candidates and voters. Radio, prohibition and women voting are on the mind of Calvin Coolidge, as portrayed by actor Jim Cooke.

Grand Valleys Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies and the Ford Museum and Ford Foundation are sponsoring Cookes appearance at the Ford Museum in Grand Rapids on February 5 at 8 p.m. His performance is in conjunction with the 1920s exhibit currently at the Ford.

Cooke has portrayed the 30th president of the United States in various productions since 1975. Those performances include Cooke in the Emmy Award-winning docudrama, Campaign Fever.

Calvin Coolidge is Jim Cookes obsession, said Gleaves Whitney, director of the Hauenstein Center. Those gathered in the Ford auditorium that night will think they are actually with President Coolidge. Cookes show combines learning and entertainment. Hes fabulous.

Cookes performance, Calvin Coolidge: More Than Two Words, has taken him around the country to colleges, presidential libraries, the National Archives, the Smithsonian and the Library of Congress. Cooke says he began to appreciate his level of expertise on Coolidge when producers of the TV show Jeopardy gave him a call.

Coolidge was known as Silent Cal, yet held more news conferences than any other president. He frequently spoke on radio. More people heard his voice than heard the combined voices of the 28 presidents who preceded him. The show, Calvin Coolidge: More Than Two Words, comes from an anecdote of a lady seated next to President Coolidge at dinner. She says, Ive made a $5 bet I can make you say more than two words. Coolidge replied, You lose.

Jim Cookes Calvin Coolidge: More Than Two Words
February 5 8 p.m.
Ford Museum Auditorium, 303 Pearl St., Grand Rapids
Media availability - 5 p.m., University Club, DeVos Center

Cooke is a member of the Screen Actors Guild, the American Federation of Television and Radio Actors and Actors Equity of America. He can be reached for interviews prior to February 5 at 617-472-5587.