A Few Words About A few words about…™ Sunrise at Campobello – in Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

[Robert Harris]

Dore Schary was the force behind bring Sunrise at Campobello to the screen in 1960, producing and writing the screenplay, based upon his 1958 Broadway production.

Brought along from the Broadway cast was a new young actor, who had portrayed Franklin Roosevelt on stage - Ralph Bellamy, who would later make a name for himself in such productions as Rosemary's Baby, Trading Places and Coming to America.

Vincent Donehue, who had directed on Broadway, came along also, directing his second and final film, after Lonelyhearts in 1958. Lonelyhearts was also a Dore Schary production, and based upon a play.

The rest of the cast had been Hollywoodized.

Greer Garson, with protruding teeth to portray Eleanor, Hume Cronyn, Jean Hagen, Ann Shoemaker, Tim Considine, and in her first film appearance, a young Zina Bethune, as Anna Roosevelt.

The new Warner Archive release, which is quite beautiful, and film-like, especially for a 1960 production. Color and densities are fine. Nice black levels, and a pleasant grain structure.

The film is beautifully adapted from the stage, with exteriors shot at Hyde Park, FDR's estate, as well as further exteriors in Maine and FDR's summer home on Campobello Island in Nova Scotia.

A quality production, originally released as a Road Show, ten performances per week, reserved seats.

And yes, the original Intermission is included.


Image – 5

Audio – 5 (DTS-HD MA 2.0 Monaural)

Pass / Fail - Pass

Upgrade from DVD - Absolutely

Highly Recommended

RAH


Support HTF when you purchase this title at Amazon

 

[Thomas T]

The rest of the cast had been Hollywoodized. Greer Garson, with protruding teeth to portray Eleanor, Hume Cronyn, Jean Hagen, Ann Shoemaker, Tim Considine, and in her first film appearance, a young Zina Bethune, as Anna Roosevelt.

Actually, Ann Shoemaker had played Sara Delano Roosevelt in the Broadway production. She replaced Anne Seymour (the original Sara) when she left the play. Bellamy would once again inhabit FDR in the mini series, The Winds Of War and War And Remembrance.

 

[FrankXS]

I question Mister Harris's statement about a new young actor Ralph Bellamy. Mr. Bellamy had been in Hollywood since the early 1930s and starred with Cary Grant/Irene Dunne in The Awful Truth - 1937, Carefree with Asatire & Rogers 1938 and even appeared in the Secret Six as early as 1931.

 

[Dave B Ferris]

Presumably, tongue was firmly in cheek.

 

[Patrick McCart]

I question Mister Harris's statement about a new young actor Ralph Bellamy. Mr. Bellamy had been in Hollywood since the early 1930s and starred with Cary Grant/Irene Dunne in The Awful Truth - 1937, Carefree with Asatire & Rogers 1938 and even appeared in the Secret Six as early as 1931.

Perhaps, but he looked too much like that fellow in the movies...

 

[Robert Crawford]

I question Mister Harris's statement about a new young actor Ralph Bellamy. Mr. Bellamy had been in Hollywood since the early 1930s and starred with Cary Grant/Irene Dunne in The Awful Truth - 1937, Carefree with Asatire & Rogers 1938 and even appeared in the Secret Six as early as 1931.

Looks like RAH hooked another one.

 

[Mark-P]

Just finished watching my new Blu-ray copy. Great film and drop-dead-gorgeous transfer. I was familiar with Bellamy's Winds of War and War and Remembrance performances, so it was interesting to see this younger version of the FDR impersonation. Greer Garson was perfect as well. An excellent addition to my classic film library. Though with both Jean Hagen and Tim Considine, it felt a little bit like The Shaggy Dog in color.