Until I watched this movie I didnt realize how hard FDR had to work to come back from this polio attack. I had read in history books that he managed to keep hidden the extent of his paralysis from the public, but didt know it was so bad. It seems the media kept the secret too, not showing FDR needing help or a wheelchair!
I cant imagine any public figure ever being able to do this today!
I agree with you, it would be near impossible today. But at a time when TV had not yet been invented and Franklin Roosevelt being surrounded with people that helped him and protected him, it was clearly possible for FDR! As described in the movie he had the resources around him for the help he needed and to keep awkward pictures out of newspapers.
shareMy Dad was a teenager in the 30s and in his early 20s in the Army in Europe in WWII. He said at the time he did not know FDR couldn't walk. Newspaper photos were stills, you can't tell by radio and there was no TV. With the cooperation of the press newsreels were carefully staged.
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