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AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, THE: FDR, PART 2 {TAPE 1 OF 2} (TV)

Summary

One in this documentary series. The first half of part two of this two-part program which uses archival footage and interviews to chronicle the the life of Franklin D. Roosevelt, "one of the most important and fascinating figures of the century." Part two opens with the segment "The Grandest Job in the World," and covers Roosevelt's first two terms in executive office. Highlights include the following: Roosevelt aides Eli Ginzberg, David Ginsburg and Robert Nathan recall the desperate state of the nation as Roosevelt assumed leadership and his resolve that government should impact the lives of those suffering from the Great Depression; an overview of Roosevelt's first hundred days, as he worked furiously to sign fifteen bills into law to ease the nation's problems; the formation of the National Recovery Administration; Curtis Roosevelt recalls that his grandmother had strong reservations about the role of First Lady; historian Doris Kearns Goodwin asserts that Eleanor Roosevelt revolutionized the role of the First Lady by travelling broadly and mingling with the nation's people; how Roosevelt's first year in executive office brought some relief -- but not enough to prevent a backlash against him for the still-sagging economy; Roosevelt's battle with other branches of government as the National Recovery Act is declared unconstitutional; Roosevelt's effort to pass the Emergency Work Relief Appropriation Act and the Work Progress Administration; Curtis Roosevelt's assessment that many Roosevelt contemporaries thought that Franklin was a traitor to his class for establishing government programs to aid America's poor; the country's ignorance about Roosevelt's paralysis, which stemmed from polio; biographer Hugh Gallagher states that Roosevelt had to make elaborate plans so he wouldn't look helpless in public, and that a friendly press conspired with him hide his disability; Secret Service agent Milton Lipson recalls how the agents would sometimes carry Roosevelt on their shoulders when no one was looking; Dorothy Height of the National Council of Negro Women recalls the criticism Eleanor Roosevelt recieved for supporting the rights of blacks; Roosevelt's re-election campaign; his landslide victory; his failed second-term plan to pack the Supreme Court with pliable political puppets; the second crash of the stock market, which caused the loss of millions of more jobs; the military threat of German leader Adolf Hitler; journalist Alistair Cooke's assertion that America did not wish to be a military power at the time; the wave of isolationism that made it difficult for Roosevelt to be a force in the European military confrontation; Roosevelt's radio appeal to Hitler, and the Fuhrer's contemptuous riposte; the king and queen of England's visit with the Roosevelts to discuss Hitler; and Roosevelt's decision to run for a third term as Great Britain is forced into war with Germany. Also includes footage of contralto Marian Anderson performing a concert in the foreground of the Lincoln Memorial.

Acquisition and cataloging of this program was made possible by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Details

  • NETWORK: PBS WNET New York, NY
  • DATE: October 12, 1994 9:00 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 1:10:44
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: T:35253
  • GENRE: Public affairs/Documentaries
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Biography; Depressions, economic; She Made It Collection (Judy Crichton); She Made It Collection (Margaret Drain); U S - Politics and government; U S - Presidency; World War II - 1939
  • SERIES RUN: PBS - TV, 1988-
  • COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

  • Judy Crichton … Executive Producer
  • Margaret Drain … Senior Producer
  • Chana Gazit … Senior Producer
  • Susan Mottau … Coordinating Producer
  • David Grubin … Producer, Writer
  • Sheilagh D'Arcy McGee … Associate Producer
  • Meg Froelich … Associate Producer
  • Allyson Luchak … Series Associate Producer
  • Michael Bacon … Music by
  • Charles Kuskin … Theme Music by
  • David McCullough … Narrator
  • Doris Kearns Goodwin … Guest
  • Curtis Roosevelt … Guest
  • Eli Ginzberg … Guest
  • David Ginsburg … Guest
  • Robert Nathan … Guest
  • Hugh Gallagher … Guest
  • Milt Lipson … Guest
  • Dorothy Height … Guest
  • Marian Anderson … Singer
  • Adolf Hitler
  • Eleanor Roosevelt
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt