MovieChat Forums > Sunrise at Campobello (1960) Discussion > Under-Appreciated

Under-Appreciated

posted 16 years ago by Harold_Robbins
4 replies | jump to latest

The lack of dialog here shows how under-appreciated this film is. It's certainly one of the best examples of Warner Bros. many good stage-to-screen efforts, and deserves more exposure.

Interesting that although Bellamy won the Tony as Best Actor for his performance as FDR, he was over-looked at Oscar season, while Garson (who was a surprising choice indeed to play Eleanor) got a Best Actress nod.

The VHS version disappeared by the mid-90s, I think, and though I vaguely recall plans to issue it on DVD, this doesn't seem to have happened (Warners is still sitting on other good stage-to-screen adaptations such as THE DARK AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS and A MAJORITY OF ONE). Fortunately, Turner Classic Movies shows it from time to time, in Original Aspect Ratio.

"Stone-cold sober I find myself absolutely fascinating!"---Katharine Hepburn

[–] MalJMD 16 years ago

I've not seen this picture, but would very much like to do so.

Perhaps because Eleanor's correspondence revealed that she thought it was as much like what happend as "the man in the moon?" Most people aren't that well read.

But, the Roosevelts' story - on many levels - is pretty amazing. They still win all the 'most admired' lists of the 20th Century, and beyond. The events depicted here are part of the reason why, so I'd like to see it. As Louise Howe said, "being in the White House was the easy part" for them.

[–] Harold_Robbins 15 years ago

"As Louise Howe said, 'being in the White House was the easy part" for them.'"

Indeed, the general public was unaware of the particulars of the Roosevelt marriage until long after both were dead. Today, we often know too much about our political leaders!

"If I'd been a ranch they'd have named me the 'Bar-Nothing'." - Gilda

[–] MalJMD 15 years ago

It was the polio Howe was referring to. FDR's physical pain and frustration and ER's having to fend off his mother, take care of the kids and keep his name in the forefront of NYS politics - all at once.

[–] mdonln 8 years ago

Harold_Robbins says > Indeed, the general public was unaware of the particulars of the Roosevelt marriage until long after both were dead. Today, we often know too much about our political leaders!

Character matters! No one is perfect but being dishonest, unfaithful, and manipulating public opinion over many years speaks volumes. These are not isolated incidents, they went on for years.

No, we don't need to know every detail about a candidate or political leader's life but if their bad behavior is ongoing, current, and they never seemed to learn from their mistakes; they just tried to cover them up, we need to know.

For instance, FDR supposedly wanted to divorce his wife but his mother thought it would not help his image and his mistress didn't want to marry a divorced man with five kids. He stayed married but continued his affairs. He also took an active role in deceiving the public in a number of ways about a variety of things.

In regards to Eleanor, it tarnishes her image as well. She was out supposedly championing all these causes for women and others but was, herself, living a lie. She couldn't trust her husband but, by supporting him and playing her role, she subjected him to the American people.

I think it interferes with our rights when we are kept from getting all the facts. Information is kept from us because that information would cause us to think and behave differently. That's manipulation and it's no different than what's done in countries that routinely and blatantly violate human rights.

Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]