Sunrise at Campobello

I have seen a number of Ralph Bellamy films where he was cast as a looser type tied to his mother's apron strings. The problem is he did too good of a job. Can you say type casting? I am a huge fan of classic films because I believe it was a time when a movie was judged as good or bad by the skill of the actors and not insane special effects. There is a place for special effects that can take people to new worlds or bring us back to the past so well we feel we are there. All the special effects in the world can save a movie if the acting is bad or if a part is given to the wrong person. Sometimes the only special effects needed is in the magick kit and the imagination of the make up artist. A gifted director can bring out the best in any actor. When everything comes together at the right time and real magick is made and the viewer is entertained. When Ralph Bellamy was cast in the play and the movie he was able to show how much talent he really had. I was amazed how he transformed himself. I believe he showed the very essence of the man. He should have at least received a nomination for this grand performance.

For anyone remotely interested in the history of U.S. presidents, SUNRISE AT CAMPOBELLO does an outstanding job of recreating the period of time during which Franklin Deleano Roosevelt coped with his victory over suffering polio in his forties, just as his political ambitions were taking shape.

RALPH BELLAMY repeats his stage role and makes you forget that all he ever played in his earlier movies were the hapless saps who lost the girl in the last reel. He gives a full-bodied portrait of the man and is ably assisted by an actress who seemed a most unlikely choice for her role--GREER GARSON as Eleanor Roosevelt.

With a striking supporting cast headed by HUME CRONYN as Roosevelt's closest friend and adviser, the only weak point of the whole enterprise is the length of time it takes to tell the story. 144 minutes is a long time to sit through a tale such as this, crammed as it is with some static scenes and full of dialog exchanges that go on for some length of time.

But all in all, it's a fascinating history lesson in that all of the events unfold using a lot of historical background as to the politics of the time. Oddly enough, Bellamy himself did not win an Oscar nomination but Greer Garson did. She also won awards from The National Board of Review and the Golden Globes as Best Actress.

Well worth seeing, although it seems to wear out its welcome during the last twenty-five minutes or so.

A 1960 film dealing w/the early days of FDR's trials & tribulations due to the effects of polio which left him wheelchair bound for the remainder of his life. Tracing the genesis of the disease's onslaught, we find FDR, played by Ralph Bellamy (one of the brothers from Trading Places), his wife Eleanor, played by Greer Garson & their children spending their lazy summer days at their seaside cabin & all seems to be well as the family frolics in the sun & spend their nights dolling out roles for their presentation of Julius Caesar. FDR keeps himself professionally busy by remaining in a law firm & even though his political days are behind him (he was Mayor of New York) his close confidante & political pusher, played by Hume Cronyn, keeps popping into his life, keeping the possibility fires burning for him to reenter the fray but when FDR collapses & a dirge of doctors descend upon him, his world turns upside down as not only does he have to deal w/this debilitating blow to his physical psyche but also the fretting from Garson & his own mother fortifies him to push forward eventually succeeding as he goes out in public more determined than ever. This story-line has been handled in later films like Hyde Park on Hudson w/Bill Murray (who played FDR) or Warm Springs w/Kenneth Branagh, both of which covered slices of FDR's life (one w/his infidelities & the other where he explored therapeutic treatments to his ailment) but Bellamy may well be the benchmark actor for this role (he already won a Tony for the stage version) capturing his intelligence, warmth & gritty determination to never quit (a sequence where he struggles to lift himself w/crutches is inspiring w/Garson (wearing fake teeth like Eleanor had) can do no wrong even when she breaks down in front of the children but quickly thinks of the family & straightens herself out. Look for David White (Larry Tate from Bewitched) as a political operative.

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

Good old fashioned biography of FDR's struggle against polio and his journey back to the political arena. Good supporting performances and a handsome production add luster to this.

The real strength of this is in the performances of the lead pair. Greer Garson as Eleanor does a terrific approximation of that great lady, people have mentioned that her teeth are distracting but Mrs.Roosevelt did have large teeth and an overbite so kudos to the studio for remaining true to the actual woman. She was still alive when this came out so the audiences of the time were well aware of her appearance. It's only a surface characteristic anyway and Garson portrayal goes much deeper giving a fine account of the future first lady.

However it's Ralph Bellamy in the best role he ever had as FDR that walks away with top acting honors. Having performed the role on stage he has perfected it to a fine point and richly deserved the Oscar nomination he received. He conveys both FDR's weariness as well as the strength required to bounce back from the blow polio dealt him.

Beautifully appointed this is studio film making at its best. Wonderful ending.