Sunrise at Campobello

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

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.

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.

"Sunrise at Campobello" enacts early events in the personal life of Franklin Delano Roosevelt with fine production values, including solid performances.

Certainly both Ralph Bellamy and Greer Garson had their work cut out playing, respectively, Franklin and Eleanor. They got their characterizations down pat, and their work is of a high calibre.

The talented supporting cast is headed by Hume Cronyn as Franklin's best friend and Ann Shoemaker as his doting mother. Jean Hagen is seen as a good-natured secretary.

It may be that Dore Schary's script from his play was too lengthy, or that Vincent J. Donahue's direction was too slow. Whatever the case, running at 144 minutes this seems a pretty long haul for the average viewer.

Bellamy's work is consistently exectued, with all of the famous FDR mannerisms--it is also slowly-paced. Garson's Eleanor captures her distinctivly slow, deliberate speech cadence. Likewise, both principals' makeups are subtely effective.

The script begins in 1921 when Franklin was 40 and wisely ends just three years later with his politically important nominating speech for Al Smith. While there may be some dramatic modifications of factual material, the basic flavor of the period and characters are well handled.

Fraklin's overcoming of physical adversity to become a four term US president is a story of great interest, from both a human and professional perspective. "Sunrise at Campolbello" skillfully presents this inspired period of American history.

Ralph Bellamy gives perhaps his best performance as a very credible FDR. Greer Garson and Hume Cronyn give their usual solid efforts, and the supporting cast is all great. The atmosphere is right. The script is surprisingly crisp, but the length of the piece weighs it down. When it reaches the two-hour mark, the whole movie starts to creak. So if you have an interest in history and politics, it's great. If not, it's tough sledding up this long, steep hill.