Synopsis
Made in 1949, "His Fighting Chance" shows the plaque of Infantile paralysis, commonly called polio. This is a disease which attacks adults as well as children. This film gives a general account, showing a number of cases, of how the disease affects its victims, and of the modern techniques of rehabilitation that are used. Eleanor Roosevelt, widow of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, narrates a portion of the film. Michael Redgrave also narrates. The film begins as the narrator introduces a 2-year-old boy, Johnny Green, who is lying on a hospital cot. He cannot move his head or right arm due to poliomyelitis. Then John Broadbent, a 19-year-old, is seen in bed he also has polio. His doctor examines him John cannot touch his knees with his forehead. He is taken to hospital. A hospital ward is seen with the patients undergoing physical rehabilitation. Doctors and nurses encourage children and adults to exercise their limbs. Children learn to walk again with the aid of frames and sticks. The narrator mentions that the late President Roosevelt had polio. King George VI in a public ceremony introduces Mrs Eleanor Roosevelt and invites her to unveil a statue of her husband. Mrs Roosevelt is heard in voiceover talking about rehabilitation. Water therapy in a swimming pool is seen and she says that the White House had a pool for President Roosevelt to use. She explains that progress can be slow a young boy is seen in an iron lung. She emphasises the need to stimulate children as…
Uploader's description on archive.org
Details
- Running time
- 10 minutes
- Language
- English
- Collection
- Ephemeral Films
Subjects on the Internet Archive
- Stock Footage