Just finished watching Episode One of The Roosevelts, An Intimate History and WOW ! What an amazing story. As an American history major and lifelong progressive activist it sent goosebumps up my spine and brought many a tear to my eye. What extraordinary spirits they were; Teddy,Eleanor and Franklin.
Their example of strong, uncompromising, progressive leadership should inspire all of us to follow in their footsteps. My favorite quotes : “The welfare of each of us is dependent fundamentally upon the welfare of all of us.” TR “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” ER “The liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to the point where it becomes stronger than the democratic state itself. That in essence is fascism–ownership of government by an individual, by a group or any controlling private power.” President Franklin Delano Roosevelt–on the threat to democracy by corporate power.
Fred Rich LaRiccia
I watched it twice last night. I love the fact that there was once a progressive wing of the Republican Party. And that at one time, the progressives tried to form a third party. How sad to see how far they (the ReThuglicans) have fallen.
Such a great series so far! And like every time I’ve watched “The Civil War”-I know what happens next but still can’t wait to be surprised by the next episode.
Teddy/Franklin & Eleanor 2016!
I found out last night that Edward Herrmann is doing the voice of Franklin in the Ken Burns documentary. I wonder if Jane Alexander was approached about doing the voice of Eleanor. Their film from 1977, Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years was probably the first time that I saw Edward Herrmann and I just loved that movie, and I was blown away with the connection (sort of 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon style).
Hermann has played FDR many times in his life, its about as natural as getting Hal Holbrook to play Mark Twain. Giamatti had a great TR as well. The late, great Eli Wallach had a part in last night’s episode.
Giamatti has now done TR and John Adams. Also, I was trying to think of a similar example, but couldn’t get past George C. Scott as Patton as an example, also as someone who probably will portrayed later in the WWII portion of the series. Who did Eli Wallach voice last night?
Among others. I guess we can look forward to Billy Bob Thornton in the WWII ones.
n/t