Eleanor and Franklin (1976) (TV)

Director:

Daniel Petrie

Writers:

James Costigan (writer)
Joseph P. Lash (book)

Release Date:

11 January 1976 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Plot:

The story of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, from early youth to his election as President of the United States, as told from Eleanor's point of view. |

Plot Keywords:

Despair | Cigarette Holder | New York | Campobello | 1920s

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 15 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Jane Alexander	...	Eleanor Roosevelt, age 18-60
Edward Herrmann	...	Franklin Delano Roosevelt, age 20-50
Rosemary Murphy	...	Sara Delano Roosevelt
Pamela Franklin	...	Anna Hall
David Huffman	...	Elliott Roosevelt, Sr.
Mackenzie Phillips	...	Eleanor Roosevelt, age 14
Lilia Skala	...	Mlle. Souvestre, school headmistress
Ed Flanders	...	Louis Howe
Helen Kleeb	...	Daisy
Peggy McCay	...	Grace Tully
Anna Lee	...	Laura Delano
Irene Tedrow	...	Mary Hall
Devon Ericson	...	Corinne Robinson
Linda Purl	...	Alice Roosevelt (age 14-20)
William Phipps	...	Theodore Roosevelt

Runtime:

240 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Talent Associates

Goofs:

Continuity: At her wedding, Uncle Ted offers his arm. As they leave her dressing room he is in Eleanor's left side. But as the come down the stairs, he has changed to her right side.

Quotes:

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, age 20-50: [he is going swimming in the lake with his wife and children] Come on! Last one in is a rotten Kaiser!

Movie Connections:

Followed by Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years (1977) (TV)

Excellent TV Mini-Series, Highly Recommended To History Buffs

This beautifully mounted TV production revolves around the private lives of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his wife Eleanor, played by Edward Herrmann and Jane Alexander. The story is seen through the eyes of Mrs. Roosevelt, who according to the film, was much more interesting - and complex - than her famous husband. Herrmann - and especially - Alexander are excellent as the Roosevelts. Lilia Skala, Ed Flanders, Rosemary Murphy, Pamela Franklin, Mackenzie Phillips and Anna Lee are also effective in key supporting roles. John Barry's elegant score ("Out of Africa" and "Dances with Wolves"), and Michael Kahn's ("Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "E. T.") judicious editing are big pluses. Only the aging make-up has dated badly. It deservedly won many Emmy Awards. It would make a wonderful double feature with "Sunrise at Campobello," in which actors Ralph Bellamy and Greer Garson play the Roosevelts.