Franklin D. Roosevelt, born in 1882, is best known as the 32nd president of the United States, but he also ventured into acting. In The Extraordinary Seaman (1969), he takes on a role that reflects the era's blend of comedy and adventure, a stark contrast to his political life. This film offers a glimpse into his unexpected engagement with the entertainment industry, showcasing a different facet of a man primarily remembered for his leadership during the Great Depression and World War II.
The Extraordinary Seaman
A ghostly British naval officer (Niven) persuades four members of the American Navy to launch an attack on Japanese positions, hoping to redeem the family honor and his own tattered record from the First World War. He had been condemned to sail the seas forever after falling down drunk before his first battle in the Great War. With his typical luck he actually succeeds in sinking a Japanese naval vessel -- after it had officially surrendered to the US Navy. As a result, he is seen again consigned to sailing his ship forever, this time in a children's amusement park lake, to await another chance at redemption.
