''Eleanor and Franklin'' is a 1976 American

television miniseries In the United States, a miniseries or mini-series is a television show or series that tells a story in a predetermined, limited number of episodes. Many miniseries can also be referred to, and shown, as a television film. " Limited series" is ...

starring Edward Herrmann as

Franklin D. Roosevelt Franklin Delano Roosevelt (January 30, 1882April 12, 1945), also known as FDR, was the 32nd president of the United States, serving from 1933 until his death in 1945. He is the longest-serving U.S. president, and the only one to have served ...

(FDR) and

Jane Alexander Jane Alexander (née Quigley; born October 28, 1939) is an American-Canadian actress and author. She is the recipient of two Primetime Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, and nominations for four Academy Awards, and three Golden Globe Awards. From 1993 ...

Eleanor Roosevelt Anna Eleanor Roosevelt ( ; October 11, 1884November 7, 1962) was an American political figure, diplomat, and activist. She was the longest-serving First Lady of the United States, first lady of the United States, during her husband Franklin D ...

which was broadcast on ABC on January 11 and 12, 1976. It is the first part in a two-part "biopic" miniseries (with a later sequel telecast the following year) based on Joseph P. Lash's biography and history from 1971, '' Eleanor and Franklin'', based on their correspondence and recently opened archives. Joseph Lash was Eleanor's personal secretary and confidant. He wrote several books on the Roosevelts including some on both Eleanor and Franklin individually and was also a controversial activist in his own right in

leftist Left-wing politics describes the range of political ideologies that support and seek to achieve social equality and egalitarianism, often in opposition to social hierarchy either as a whole or of certain social hierarchies. Left-wing politi ...

liberalism Liberalism is a Political philosophy, political and moral philosophy based on the Individual rights, rights of the individual, liberty, consent of the governed, political equality, the right to private property, and equality before the law. ...

social Social organisms, including human(s), live collectively in interacting populations. This interaction is considered social whether they are aware of it or not, and whether the exchange is voluntary or not. Etymology The word "social" derives fro ...

and labor issues of the era. Directed by

Daniel Petrie Daniel Mannix Petrie (November 26, 1920 – August 22, 2004) was a Canadian film, television, and stage director who worked in Canada, Hollywood, and the United Kingdom; known for directing grounded human dramas often dealing with taboo subjec ...

, the film follows Franklin and Eleanor's lives told in flashback from her perspective after her husband's death, from the time they were children as cousins who met briefly, their courtship and marriage, bearing and raising a large family, her social efforts as he rises to

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (ASN) is the title given to certain civilian senior officials in the United States Department of the Navy. From 1861 to 1954, the Assistant Secretary of the Navy was the second-highest civilian office in the Depart ...

World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

, the hidden affair with Lucy Mercer, (1891–1948), (portrayed for the first time by actress Linda Kelsey), her help and encouragement with his 1921 paralytic illness, and her campaigning with Louis Howe, (1871–1936), their mentor, crony and campaign manager during his runs for political offices in the

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York New York may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * ...

state legislature, the unsuccessful effort for

Vice President A vice president or vice-president, also director in British English, is an officer in government or business who is below the president (chief executive officer) in rank. It can also refer to executive vice presidents, signifying that the vi ...

1920 Events January * January 1 ** Polish–Soviet War: The Russian Red Army increases its troops along the Polish border from 4 divisions to 20. ** Kauniainen in Finland, completely surrounded by the city of Espoo, secedes from Espoo as its ow ...

, later winning as

Governor of New York The governor of New York is the head of government of the U.S. state of New York. The governor is the head of the executive branch of New York's state government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor ...

and his rivalry with fellow politician

Al Smith Alfred Emanuel Smith (December 30, 1873 – October 4, 1944) was the 42nd governor of New York, serving from 1919 to 1920 and again from 1923 to 1928. He was the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party's presidential nominee in the 1 ...

, (1873–1944), until his election to the Presidency in

1932 Events January * January 4 – The British authorities in India arrest and intern Mahatma Gandhi and Vallabhbhai Patel. * January 9 – Sakuradamon Incident (1932), Sakuradamon Incident: Korean nationalist Lee Bong-chang fails in his effort ...

in the darkest times faced by the nation since the

Civil War A civil war is a war between organized groups within the same Sovereign state, state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government policies.J ...

with the deepening "

Great Depression The Great Depression was a severe global economic downturn from 1929 to 1939. The period was characterized by high rates of unemployment and poverty, drastic reductions in industrial production and international trade, and widespread bank and ...

". A second film miniseries, '' Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years'' (1977), was made the following year which detailed Roosevelt's terms as president during the

and

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, told as a series of flashback episodes as Eleanor sits with her husband's body in the back bedroom during a legendary private moment in the cottage, the "

Little White House The Little White House was the personal retreat of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd president of the United States, located in the Historic District of Warm Springs, Georgia. He first came to Warm Springs (formerly known as Bullochville) in 19 ...

" in Warm Springs, Georgia, on April 12, 1945. The film won numerous awards, including 11

Primetime Emmy Award The Primetime Emmy Awards, or Primetime Emmys, are part of the extensive range of Emmy Awards for artistic and technical merit for the American television industry. Owned and operated by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS), the P ...

s ( Outstanding Television Movie and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie for

Rosemary Murphy Rosemary Murphy (January 13, 1925 – July 5, 2014) was an American actress of stage, film, and television. She was nominated for three Tony Awards for her stage work, as well as two Emmy Awards for television work, winning once, for her perfo ...

), the Golden Globe Award for Best TV Movie, and the

Peabody Award The George Foster Peabody Awards (or simply Peabody Awards or the Peabodys) program, named for the American businessman and philanthropist George Foster Peabody, George Peabody, honor what are described as the most powerful, enlightening, and in ...

. The director

, (1920–2004), won for Director of the Year – Special, as he would again the next year with ''"The White House Years"''. The film is noted for being almost entirely historically accurate.

Cast

* Edward Herrmann —

(FDR) *

—

Sara Delano Roosevelt Sara Ann Roosevelt ( Delano; September 21, 1854 – September 7, 1941) was the second wife of James Roosevelt I (from 1880), the mother of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States and her only child, and subsequently th ...

, FDR's mother * Pamela Franklin — Anna Hall Roosevelt, Eleanor's mother *

David Huffman David Oliver Huffman (May 10, 1945 – February 27, 1985) was an American actor and producer. Personal life Huffman was born on May 10, 1945, in Berwyn, Illinois, to Clarence and Opal Huffman (née Dippel). Huffman married casting director P ...

—

Elliott Roosevelt I Elliott Roosevelt Sr. (February 28, 1860 – August 14, 1894) was an American socialite. He was the father of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt (1884 –1962) and the younger brother of Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919), the 26th president of the Unite ...

, Eleanor's father * Irene Tedrow — Mary Ludlow Hall, Eleanor's grandmother who raised her * John Burnett — Hall Roosevelt, Eleanor's brother and nephew to

Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt Jr. (October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919), also known as Teddy or T.R., was the 26th president of the United States, serving from 1901 to 1909. Roosevelt previously was involved in New York (state), New York politics, incl ...

* Linda Kelsey — Lucy Mercer, FDR's mistress * William Phipps —

, Uncle to Eleanor, 5th cousin once removed of FDR and 26th

President of the United States The president of the United States (POTUS) is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president directs the Federal government of the United States#Executive branch, executive branch of the Federal government of t ...

* Linda Purl —

Alice Roosevelt Longworth Alice Lee Roosevelt Longworth (February 12, 1884 – February 20, 1980) was an American writer and socialite. She was the eldest child of U.S. president Theodore Roosevelt and his only child with his first wife, Alice Hathaway Lee Roosevelt. Lo ...

, daughter of Teddy, Eleanor's 1st cousin * Devon Ericson — Corinne Robinson, Teddy's niece and 1st cousin to Eleanor and Alice * Teresa Steenhoek —

Anna Roosevelt Halsted Anna Eleanor Roosevelt Halsted (May 3, 1906 – December 1, 1975) was an American writer who worked as a newspaper editor and in public relations. Halsted also wrote two children's books published in the 1930s. She was the eldest child and only d ...

, FDR's daughter * Lilia Skala —

Marie Souvestre Marie Souvestre (28 April 1830 – 30 March 1905) was an educator who sought to develop independent minds in young women. She founded a school in France and when she left the school with one of her teachers she founded Allenswood Academy in L ...

, Teacher, mentor, close friend of Eleanor's from

Allenswood Boarding Academy Allenswood Boarding Academy (also known as Allenswood Academy or Allenswood School) was an exclusive girls' boarding school founded in Wimbledon, London, by Marie Souvestre in 1883 and operated until the early 1950s, when it was demolished and r ...

* Ed Flanders — Louis Howe, intimate friend and political advisor to FDR and Eleanor * Arthur Adams — Arthur Prettyman, FDR's personal valet * Helen Kleeb — Margaret Daisy Suckley, neighbor, friend, 6th cousin of FDR * Peggy McCay — Grace Tully, private secretary of FDR * Anna Lee — Laura Delano, FDR's cousin at the

when he passed *

Harry Holcombe Harry John Holcombe (November 11, 1906 – September 15, 1987) was an American actor and radio director. He was perhaps best remembered as the grandfather in the Country Time commercials, playing the role for almost a decade. Holcombe also pla ...

— Steve Early, political advisor to FDR and future

White House Press Secretary The White House press secretary is a senior White House official whose primary responsibility is to act as spokesperson for the executive branch of the United States federal government, especially with regard to the president, senior aides and ...

* Ned Wilson — Endicott Peabody, FDR's headmaster at Groton's School for Boys and officiated his wedding * Len Wayland — Admiral Ross McIntire, FDR's personal doctor *

Lindsay Crouse Lindsay Ann Crouse (born May 12, 1948) is an American actress. She made her Broadway debut in the 1972 revival of ''Much Ado About Nothing'' and appeared in her first film in 1976 in '' All the President's Men''. For her role in the 1984 film ...

— Marjorie Bennett, Eleanor's roommate at Allenswood * Edward Winter — Joe McCall, reporter on funeral train with Eleanor * Mackenzie Phillips — Eleanor, age 14

DVD

''Eleanor and Franklin'' was released on DVD by

HBO Video Home Box Office, Inc. (HBO) is an American multinational corporation, multinational mass media, media and entertainment company operating as a unit of Warner Bros. Discovery. Founded by Charles Dolan and based out of WarnerMedia, WarnerMedia's ...

in 2005 as a single disc feature, and in 2013 as a two-disc set with ''Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years'' featured on the second disc.

References

External links

* {{Franklin D. Roosevelt 1976 television films 1976 films 1970s American television miniseries American Broadcasting Company original films American biographical series American television films Films about Franklin D. Roosevelt Films directed by Daniel Petrie Married couples Peabody Award–winning broadcasts Cultural depictions of Franklin D. Roosevelt Cultural depictions of Eleanor Roosevelt Films scored by John Barry (composer) 1970s English-language films 1970s American films

Cast

DVD

See also

References

External links