2004
In 1921, charismatic politician Franklin Delano Roosevelt is diagnosed with polio, causing paralysis and straining his marriage to Eleanor after she discovers his affair. Franklin finds hope in Warm Springs, Georgia's therapeutic waters, transforming a dilapidated inn into a polio rehabilitation center despite numerous challenges. While Franklin dedicates himself to the center and advocates for patients, Eleanor develops her own political voice and becomes a prominent activist. With Eleanor's support and the Warm Springs community, Franklin re-enters politics, delivering a powerful speech at the Democratic Convention that signals his inspiring return to public life.
Save the Cat beat sheet
WARM SPRINGS follows Franklin Roosevelt’s descent from privilege into paralysis and his rebirth through rehabilitation at Warm Springs, Georgia.
Open full beat sheetFranklin Delano Roosevelt is listed as Protagonist. 39-year-old politician, charismatic, later diagnosed with polio. In the parsed data, Franklin Delano Roosevelt is connected to 109 scenes, 119 dialogue lines, 119 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
109 scenes / 119 dialogue linesEleanor Roosevelt is listed as Wife. Intelligent, deeply empathetic, evolves into a political force. In the parsed data, Eleanor Roosevelt is connected to 57 scenes, 37 dialogue lines, 37 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
57 scenes / 37 dialogue linesLouis Howe is listed as Political Advisor. Wizened, loyal, mastermind behind Franklin's career. In the parsed data, Louis Howe is connected to 39 scenes, 45 dialogue lines, 45 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
39 scenes / 45 dialogue linesRoy is listed as Valet. African-American man who becomes Franklin's dedicated assistant. In the parsed data, Roy is connected to 35 scenes, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 36.
35 scenes / 0 dialogue linesTom Loyless is listed as Manager of Meriwether Inn. Laconic, dry sense of humor, manages the Warm Springs facility. In the parsed data, Tom Loyless is connected to 28 scenes, 19 dialogue lines, 19 text mentions, first appearing around scene 35.
28 scenes / 19 dialogue linesHelena Mahoney is listed as Physical Therapist. Determined, professional, instrumental in Franklin's rehabilitation. In the parsed data, Helena Mahoney is connected to 18 scenes, 19 dialogue lines, 20 text mentions, first appearing around scene 89.
18 scenes / 19 dialogue linesElliot Roosevelt is listed as Son. Franklin's son, athletic and supportive. In the parsed data, Elliot Roosevelt is connected to 14 scenes, first appearing around scene 16.
14 scenes / 0 dialogue linesSara Roosevelt is listed as Mother. Grande Dame of the Roosevelt family. In the parsed data, Sara Roosevelt is connected to 7 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
7 scenes / 13 dialogue linesFred Botts is listed as Patient. Young polio patient who becomes a friend to Franklin. In the parsed data, Fred Botts is connected to 7 scenes, first appearing around scene 76.
7 scenes / 0 dialogue linesLucy Mercer is listed as Social Secretary. Eleanor's secretary and Franklin's mistress. In the parsed data, Lucy Mercer is connected to 3 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
3 scenes / 3 dialogue linesA man struggles to swim in the ocean and is later hauled onto a houseboat.
Franklin Delano RooseveltThe man is caught in a fishing net and raised onto the houseboat.
Franklin Delano RooseveltThe man is emptied onto the deck and drinks scotch.
Franklin Delano RooseveltFranklin dances and shares an intimate moment with a woman.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Lucy MercerOscar carries clothes to Franklin's room.
Franklin Delano RooseveltFranklin gets dressed with Oscar's help.
Franklin Delano RooseveltFranklin enters the dining room and overhears Eleanor.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, Louis Howe, Lucy MercerEleanor dictates a letter to Lucy while Louis observes.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, Louis Howe, Lucy MercerFranklin and Louis walk and discuss political business.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Louis HoweFranklin returns home late to find Eleanor waiting.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Eleanor RooseveltFranklin and Eleanor go to their respective rooms.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Eleanor RooseveltEleanor discovers letters from Lucy.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Eleanor RooseveltThe Roosevelt children play on the lawn.
A tense family confrontation regarding Franklin's affair.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, Louis Howe, Sara RooseveltFranklin and Eleanor argue on the stairs.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Eleanor RooseveltSara and Louis discuss the consequences of divorce.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Louis Howe, Sara Roosevelt, Elliot RooseveltFranklin accepts the nomination for Vice-President.
Franklin Delano RooseveltFranklin gives his acceptance speech.
Franklin Delano RooseveltFranklin meets with Alice Roosevelt.
Franklin Delano RooseveltFranklin visits a Boy Scout camp for political optics.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Louis HoweEstablishing shot of the summer home.
Franklin plays with his children.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, Louis Howe, Elliot RooseveltFranklin is examined by a doctor.
Franklin Delano RooseveltThe doctor informs the family of Franklin's diagnosis.
Eleanor Roosevelt, Louis Howe, Sara Roosevelt, Elliot RooseveltEleanor comforts Elliot.
Eleanor Roosevelt, Elliot RooseveltFranklin struggles with his paralysis.
Franklin Delano RooseveltFamily debate about Franklin's future.
Eleanor Roosevelt, Louis Howe, Sara RooseveltFranklin attempts to move.
Franklin Delano RooseveltSara and Eleanor continue their argument.
Eleanor Roosevelt, Sara RooseveltFranklin falls from his bed.
Franklin Delano RooseveltFranklin is prepared for the day by his crew.
Franklin Delano RooseveltFranklin is carried off the boat.
Franklin Delano RooseveltFranklin meets Louis at a diner.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Louis HoweFranklin and Eleanor travel by train to Georgia; tension is high as Eleanor discusses their children while Franklin remains detached.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, Elliot RooseveltTom Loyless waits for Franklin at the station and coordinates assistance for his arrival.
Tom LoylessFranklin arrives and is carried off the train by Roy Collier.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, Tom Loyless, RoyTom drives Franklin and Eleanor to the Inn through rough terrain.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, Tom LoylessFranklin is horrified by the dilapidated state of the Inn upon arrival.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, Tom LoylessTom moves the group to smaller cottages.
Tom Loyless, RoyTom prepares the cottage for the Roosevelts.
Tom LoylessFranklin inspects the squalid cottage and asks Roy to be his valet.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Roy, Tom LoylessPete leaves the grounds.
Eleanor expresses her disbelief at the living conditions.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, RoyThe group walks toward the pool.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Tom Loyless, RoyFranklin attempts to use the mineral waters but is discouraged by his inability to stand.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Tom Loyless, RoyRoy sleeps on the porch.
RoyEleanor struggles to sleep.
Eleanor RooseveltFranklin stares at the ceiling.
Franklin Delano RooseveltFranklin and Eleanor discuss their future; Franklin tells her she is free to go.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Eleanor RooseveltEleanor leaves the Inn.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Eleanor RooseveltEleanor confides in Louis Howe about Franklin.
Eleanor Roosevelt, Louis HoweThe cottages at sunset.
Franklin and Tom share a drink.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Tom LoylessFranklin is already up.
Franklin Delano RooseveltFranklin successfully stands in the water for the first time.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Tom Loyless, RoyFranklin celebrates his progress with Tom; Lionel delivers mail.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Tom LoylessLouis and Eleanor prepare for her speech.
Eleanor Roosevelt, Louis HoweEleanor delivers a successful speech to the League of Women Voters.
Eleanor Roosevelt, Louis HoweTom informs Franklin about a reporter wanting to interview him.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Tom LoylessFranklin is interviewed by a reporter.
Franklin Delano RooseveltRoy helps Franklin with his braces.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, RoyFranklin dictates letters to Missy LeHand.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, RoyFranklin visits a dilapidated schoolhouse to give a speech.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Tom LoylessFranklin gives a speech to an undernourished audience, struggling to connect.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Tom LoylessFranklin and Tom argue about the audience's reaction to Franklin's speech.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Tom LoylessFranklin swims in the cold pool while Tom, Roy, and Aunt Sally watch.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Tom Loyless, RoyThe Roosevelt family celebrates Christmas, but tension remains regarding Franklin's condition.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, Sara Roosevelt, Elliot RooseveltFranklin and Eleanor have a tense conversation about his rehabilitation and his desire to return to Georgia.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, RoyFranklin returns to Warm Springs and notices Tom's poor health.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Tom Loyless, RoyFranklin is shocked to find many polio patients waiting for him at the pool.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Tom Loyless, RoyFranklin and Tom argue about the presence of the patients.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Tom LoylessFranklin and Tom wait for a train, expecting a young patient named Fred Botts.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Tom Loyless, RoyThey discover Fred Botts in the baggage car.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Tom Loyless, RoyThey find Fred unconscious.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Tom Loyless, RoyFranklin confronts the conductor about the treatment of Fred.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Tom Loyless, RoyFranklin cares for Fred.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Roy, Fred BottsFranklin and Tom discuss the financial and social challenges of hosting polio patients.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Tom LoylessFranklin writes a letter to Eleanor.
Franklin Delano RooseveltEleanor reads Franklin's letter.
Eleanor RooseveltFranklin and Fred share a moment of connection.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Fred BottsWe all know that poor circulation is a chronic problem for limbs damaged by polio... I've never been able to swim more than a few minutes without becoming too cold. But there's a place, gentlemen... a miraculous place not three hours from here where the water is filled with natural minerals at a temperature of almost 90 degrees. That place, gentlemen, is called Warm Springs.
The water may help build some strength I'm not able to see yet. But to do that you would need to swim in the water much of the day. Not the limited hours you have now. Why should this place cater to a few able-bodied folk when it could be opened year round with polios?
Well, I never heard of him either. But this was one brave son-of-a-bitch. Fought for the Confederacy and lost his left arm in one battle and his left foot in another. Then after the war he ran and won the Governorship of Louisiana -- twice!
I'm going to have to ask that you not use the pool during regular hours. I'll put time aside for you late in the day... and it won't be possible for you to eat in the dining room either. But I promise I'll find someplace suitable.
I could not be more delighted to have received your most charming letter. It has been far too long since we last corresponded. However, it is with great reluctance I must decline your kind speaking invitation...
I've already had some complaints. This is the start of the season, Franklin. I've got regulars who have come for years. Healthy folks over all... They're threatening to check out, afraid they might catch polio.
Therefore, a formal questionnaire should be composed in order so we may hear from all recent delegates as to how we can do better in '28 to present a more united front. Signed, Franklin Roosevelt, etc., etc.
I feel after studying him that the psychological factor in his management is paramount. He has such courage and ambition. Yet at the same time he is such an extraordinarily sensitive emotional mechanism...
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