Sunrise at Campobello (1960)

VHS CASE/SIDE

Length of film:  142 Minutes (Roadshow:  150 Minutes) 

Rated: U

Genre: Biography, Drama

Director: Vincent J. Donehue

Starring: Ralph Bellamy, Greer Garson, Hume Cronyn, Jean Hagen, Ann Shoemaker, Alan Bunce, Time Considine

IMDB Rank: 6.8 /10

Part 1 Time:  75 Minutes (Roadshow:  82 Minutes) 

Part 2 Time:  67 Minutes (Roadshow:  67 Minutes) 

Where does the first part end? Eleanor Roosevelt (Greer Garson) cries in the kitchen. Louis Howe (Hume Cronyn) tries to comfort Eleanor.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “I won’t ever do that again, not ever,” Eleanor states to Louis.

First line of dialogue on the second part: The opening scene displays the text Hyde Park July 1923. Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Ralph Bellamy) wrestles on the ground with his children stating “come here, come here.”

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Somewhat, Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s diagnosis of polio leaves him with paralyses in his legs. The Roosevelt family returns to ‘Springwood’ (their home) in Hyde Park coping with Franklin’s leg paralyses. With the inability to walk or stand what will the future of Franklin Delano Roosevelt in politics be?

Which part is better? Part two is better as Franklin Delano Roosevelt begins to adjust with the paralyses in his legs. The sheer will and motivation of Franklin Delano Roosevelt is a sight to behold as he continues to not only be relevant within United States politics, but also begins his political comeback.

Academy Awards:  Best Leading Actress (Nominated- Greer Garson), Best Art Direction- Set Decoration Colour (Nominated), Best Sound (Nominated), Best Costume Design- Colour (Nominated)