The Roosevelt Story (1947)

Release Date - Aug 30, 1947 (USA - Unknown)  |   Run Time - 80 min.  |   Countries - United States  |   MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Hal Erickson

Supervised by Elliot Roosevelt, The Roosevelt Story is an odd, dogmatic combination of newsreel footage and low-key dramatizations. Opening with the funeral of President Franklin Roosevelt in April of 1945, the film flashes back to Roosevelt's privileged childhood, his marriage to cousin Eleanor, his WWI activities as Secretary of the Navy, his crippling bout with infantile paralysis, his political comeback in 1922, and his ultimate ascension to the White House in 1933. Scenes of FDR's New Deal in action are followed by his national leadership in the dark days of WWII, and his ultimate death by cerebral hemorrhage during his fourth term in office. All of this is narrated by a "typical" American cabdriver, played by Kenneth Lynch, who is supposed to be the Voice of the People. In a similar vein, "The Depression" is personified by actor Canada Lee, while "The Opposition" is represented by Ed Begley. Occasionally corny and obvious, The Roosevelt Story is overall a worthy tribute to one of the 20th century's most significant figures.