Sunrise at Campobello (NR, 1960)

SUNRISE AT CAMPOBELLO is the story of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Ralph Bellamy), from the time he became disabled by polio to his comeback into mainstream politics, as he introduced candidate Al Smith to the Democratic convention of 1928. Franklin, a man of unquenchable vigor, was forced to reconsider his future when his legs became paralyzed. His friend and political advisor, Louis Howe (Hume Cronyn) tells him he has two choices, to become a "country squire" and write books, or to get up and get back into politics. His mother urges him not to overdo: "I don't want to see you hurt." He must learn patience. His compassion for others is deepened by his experience as well. He tells his wife, Eleanor (Greer Garson) "I turned to my faith, Babs -- for strength to endure. I feel I have to go through the fire for some reason. Eleanor, it's a hard way to learn humility--but I've learned it by crawling. I know what is meant -- you must learn to crawl before you can walk." Eleanor herself must learn, too. She has to overcome her shyness to become his eyes and ears, giving speeches and meeting people.

This is an exceptional and inspiring story, all the more so because it's true. It also raises important questions about public service, what it means and how the public interest is best determined and best served. Franklin's mother tells him that those who are privileged owe a duty to the rest, but Franklin argues that this "noblesse oblige" notion of public service is "an excuse for indifference," and avoids the real issues of equality and opportunity. Eleanor says, "I have the naive view that you should pursue principles without calculating the consequences," to be advised dryly by Louis that "You're no politician."

The meeting between Al Smith, Franklin, and Louis is a model of indirect communication, and it's fun to watch how each one manages to get information from the others and get his own messages across without ever being explicit about it. Smith comments when he leaves, "You were both too surprised to be surprised" -- in other words, he could tell that they knew what he wanted and were prepared to answer his questions in a way they knew would satisfy him before he ever got there.

Studio: Warner Bros.
Director: Vincent J. Donehue
Cast: Greer Garson, Hume Cronyn, Ralph Bellamy
Genre: Drama
Run time: 144 minutes
Theatrical release: September 28, 1960
DVD release: June 22, 2009
MPAA Rating: NR