There has been much written about Franklin & Eleanor
Roosevelt’s non-traditional marriage, including the recent best seller “Franklin
& Eleanor: An Extraordinary Marriage’ by Hazel Rowley. The Film Hype Park on the Hudson should be added
to this list. History documents at least four intimate & sexual long
standing relationship FDR had with women. The four woman were Eleanor, Lucy
Mercer, Marguerite Lehand (Missy) and Margaret Suckly (Daisy). Two of these
woman served as key advisors (Eleanor & Missy). Likewise, Eleanor enjoyed
intimate relations with other woman and at least one man. It is unclear if
these relationships were sexual, but most likely they were with the women. Please
note that I have not used the word “affair,” which connotes illicit cheating.
Thought certainly FDR’s first relationship with Lucy Mercer was an affair
causing Eleanor much grief, the later relationships (on both parts) were
acknowledged, welcomed and supported.
Today there is also much published about Open & non-monogamous relationships.
One of the most popular is the weekly podcast Savage Lovecast with host Dan Savage. Dan Savage is also a frequent
contributor to MSNBC. It therefore seems important to document maybe the most famous
and functional non-monogamous marriage. A relationship where Eleanor agreed to “share”
Franklin with other woman, and Franklin agreed to “share” Eleanor with other
women. Just as a “by the way” footnote, this couple had arguably the most
positive affect on American culture (and maybe the world) since Abraham
Lincoln.
Franklin on the Hudson is not a perfect movie. It stars Bill
Murray as FDR and Laura Linney as Daisy. However, I give it 5 Stars. It
certainly captures the facts of this non-traditional marriage. It also honors
the brilliance of Franklin and Eleanor. I know of no other story line where famous
people affirmed each other’s sexuality and continued in an “extraordinary relationship.’
The file is available on Netflix streaming. 7/10/16
