Sunrise at Campobello (1960)

Some things I liked some I did not.

Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

* A minor detail perhaps but while Sunrise at Campobello (1960) is indeed a great movie I felt that Greer Garson was just too lovely for the role of Eleanor Roosevelt. Despite being a great actress she was an unrealistic choice for that role. A homelier actress such as Mary Wickes or Kathleen Freeman might have been more ideal for that role.

It is easy to look at politics and politicians as an exercise in skulduggery; like Sarah Roosevelt, the politician just a little above the garbage collector.This movie documents FDR's affliction with what was surmised than as infantile paralysis, at the relatively young age of 39; a paralysis that left him incapacitated for the rest of his life. It ends in 1924 when he walks using braces and crutches to the podium to nominate Al Smith as Democratic Presidential Candidate.But the film shows Roosevelt not only battling his handicap, but battling his mother, battling his family, battling Louis Howe, battling the politicians--the film shows a strong willed person standing up to anyone who looked at him as 'handicapped'. It is that strong will that led to the Governorship of New York in 1928 and to the Presidency in 1932.I saw the movie when it came out in 1960, was impressed then, and am still impressed. it caught the family dynamic pretty much as it was reported in various books about Roosevelt. His mother was domineering, Mrs. Roosevelt tolerated her but barely. Louis Howe (excellently portrayed by Hume Cronyn) was looked on as something of a charlatan by both Eleanor and Sarah. But most importantly it caught that intangible something that goes into the making of a politician who is expected to lead the nation, and not let the nation wallow in self-destructive behavior.Many years later, after this event, when Roosevelt was President, still in the early stages of the Great Depression, Roosevelt made the assertion that something had to be done or there would be no democracy. (Paraphrasing roughly) When Roosevelt said in his first Inaugural address, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself" he went on to mention the fear as something that paralyzes people... Roosevelt knew what he was talking about re the metaphysics of paralysis. And the nation knew what he was talking about re the metaphysics of paralysis because the President and the Nation had been there.There are those who say that Roosevelt gained a human touch as a result of his paralysis and that made him a successful politician able to create practical solutions to real problems. In 1960 Kennedy became President. Much later, his brother made the assertion: "There are those that look at things the way they are, and ask why? I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?" That quote is in the progressive tradition of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

If this film were made today, it would be all about the affair that the charming and dapper Franklin Roosevelt probably was having with his secretary.But this 1960 production turns on the mutually respectful friendship between the future president and his quintessentially sensitive wife. Ralph Bellamy and Greer Garson turn in impressive impersonations.But what's best about this film is its thoughtful treatment of disability. FDR's contracting of polio at age 40 forces him to slow down and develop such admirable character traits as patience.Everyone can learn something from the courageous and gracious way in which he perseveres, partly in response to the encouragement of his good friend Louis Howe (played with gusto by Hume Cronyn), and in part to set an example for his five children."Anna, most of our blessings come in heavy disguises," Franklin tells his headstrong only daughter.Eleanor demonstrates extraordinary understanding at many points along the way."When one member of the family is ill, it's difficult for the rest of the family," she tells Anna. "What all of us tend to forget is, it's most difficult for the one who is sick." This movie lavishes too much time on Franklin's bossy mother but in all it presents an elegant meditation on determination.The final frame truly soars.

In 1921, while summering at his Campobello estate, future U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt (Ralph Bellamy) is stricken with "infantile paralysis" (also known as polio). Though the use of his legs is permanently lost, Mr. Roosevelt perseveres, combining inner strength with the support of wife Eleanor (Greer Garson) and political pal Louis Howe (Hume Cronyn). Ex-MGM production chief Dore Schary's "Sunrise at Campobello" began its life as a Broadway hit, and is a little too lengthy and theatrical as a motion picture. Still, it's an important story, about what may well wind up being the most important world leader of the twentieth century.The film also features what has become regarded, in many circles, as a legendary portrayal of FDR by Mr. Bellamy, reprised in Dan Curtis' mammoth mini-series "The Winds of War" (1983) and follow-up "War and Remembrance" (1989). Bellamy's FDR won a "Tony" award, but was oddly overlooked for an "Oscar" (the five nominees as "Best Actor" were also deserving, however).Ms. Garson did receive an "Academy Award" nomination as "Best Actress" for her portrayal of Eleanor; at the time, the role was considered a stretch, which Garson pulled off. Her vocal work often sounds too affected; but, so was the real Mrs. Roosevelt's voice, many would argue. Garson outright won the dramatic actress award from both the "Golden Globe" and the "National Board of Review" groups. Other organizations noted Mr. Schary's film was one of the year's best, with Vincent Donohue (Director), Bellamy, Garson, and Mr. Cronyn (Supporting Actor) among the honorably mentioned. The real Mrs. Roosevelt seems to have agreed.******* Sunrise at Campobello (9/28/60) Dore Schary : Vincent J. Donehue ~ Ralph Bellamy, Greer Garson, Hume Cronyn, Tim Considine