Five enduring convention highlights
Not all memorable convention moments made people wince or groan. The Monitor also rounded up these highlights:
 ( Scroll for memorable convention highlights )

AP/File
William Jennings Bryan speaks during his 1896 presidential campaign – the first of three unsuccessful races for the presidency.
Bryan stirs crowd with 'cross of gold' speech
William Jennings Bryan gave a fiery populist speech at the Democratic convention in Chicago, promoting the "free silver" movement with gripping rhetoric. He closed his legendary polemic with these famous words: "You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns; you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold." Delegates applauded for nearly half an hour. "It was a moment of high drama, the kind of moment we'll never seen again," says Podair. Just 36 years old, Bryan won the nomination. But despite a whirlwind campaign, he lost to Republican William McKinley.

AP/File
Franklin D. Roosevelt speaks at a huge rally at Madison Square Garden in New York for Democrat Alfred Smith.
Roosevelt stands up for Smith
Franklin Roosevelt's rousing speech for Al Smith at the 1924 Democratic convention in New York showed a man unbowed from polio and signaled his political ascendancy, culminating in a successful presidential bid in 1932. Roosevelt's strenuous effort to walk across the stage despite his disability was an example of heroic willpower, says Winkler.

AP/File
Franklin D. Roosevelt's plane takes off from Albany airport on the way to Chicago, Ill., July 2, 1932.
Roosevelt's bold break from tradition
Tradition held that likely nominees stayed home from political conventions. But Franklin D. Roosevelt took a hands-on approach, defying tradition by flying to the Chicago convention. "It was a dramatic episode," says Winkler. "It made a difference."

Neal Menschel/Staff
Delegates pack the 1984 Republican convention in Dallas where Ronald Reagan unveiled his effective film, "A New Beginning."
Reagan film brings Hollywood to politics
Reagan's highly successful reelection campaign theme was fueled by "A New Beginning,"a short film shown right before his 1984 keynote speech in Dallas. The film was the work of ad executive Phil Dusenberry, who brought fresh thinking and top-notch production values. In concert with Reagan's Hollywood grooming and his expert communications and campaign team, the film resonated with the public. "[Reagan's team] taught all political insiders how to use television and particularly biographical film about the candidate to embed the themes for the campaign in the public's mind," says Jillson. Ever since, the unveiling of biographical films before acceptance speeches have become standard practice at political conventions, notes Parmelee.

Robert Harbison/Staff
Delegates show their support for Bill Clinton at the 1992 Democratic convention in New York.
'The Man From Hope' boosts Bill
As a largely unknown Southern governor, Bill Clinton seized the New York convention to introduce himself to the nation. His team called upon Linda Bloodworth-Thomason and Harry Thomason, the team behind television shows like "Designing Women" and "Evening Shade," to produce Clinton's biographical film. The result was "The Man From Hope," one of the most successful campaign films ever created. The film portrayed Clinton in a glowing light and is credited with helping stop Clinton's slide in the polls caused by months of scandal. "[Both Reagan and Clinton's team] knew and understood how to sell a presidential candidate," says Parmelee. "They both produced incredibly effective and powerful campaign films."

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