Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1940)

Humble Abraham Lincoln gains the respect of his Illinois neighbors, growing in stature and respect until he is elected President in 1860 and departs for Washington.

Director:

John Cromwell

Writers:

Robert E. Sherwood (by), Robert E. Sherwood (screen play),

Stars:

Raymond Massey, Gene Lockhart, Ruth Gordon

Nominated for 2 Oscars.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Raymond Massey	...	Abe Lincoln
Gene Lockhart	...	Stephen Douglas
Ruth Gordon	...	Mary Todd Lincoln
Mary Howard	...	Ann Rutledge
Minor Watson	...	Joshua Speed
Alan Baxter	...	Billy Herndon
Harvey Stephens	...	Ninian Edwards
Howard Da Silva	...	Jack Armstrong (as Howard da Silva)
Dorothy Tree	...	Elizabeth Edwards
Aldrich Bowker	...	Judge Bowling Green
Maurice Murphy	...	John McNeil
Louis Jean Heydt	...	Mentor Graham
Clem Bevans	...	Ben Mattling
Harlan Briggs	...	Denton Offut
Herbert Rudley	...	Seth Gale

Storyline

Biopic of Abe Lincoln, 16th President of he United States, from his early days in backwoods Kentucky to his election as President. After a time running livestock to New Orleans, he settles in New Salem where he meets and falls in love with Ann Rutledge who is already engaged to someone. Abe makes a home for himself in New Salem, eventually running a store and becoming the postmaster. He's popular with the locals and is eventually elected to the State legislature but afterward established himself in the practice of law. He eventually meets Mary Todd who would become his wife and and is sent to Washington as a Congressman before he is elected president.

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Plot Keywords:

kentucky | election | marriage | illinois | 1860s | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 April 1940 (USA)

Also Known As:

Abraham Lincoln

Filming Locations:

Eugene, Oregon, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Max Gordon Plays & Pictures Corporation, RKO Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Film debut of Herbert Rudley and Ruth Gordon.

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Goofs

Robert E. Lee is shown wearing a uniform while leading the detachment of Marines that captured John Brown. Lee had been on leave when he was suddenly called back to duty. He actually led the detachment while wearing civilian clothes.

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Quotes

Abraham Lincoln: A house divided against itself cannot stand. The government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free.

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Connections

Referenced in Hollywood or Bust (1956)

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Soundtracks

"The Battle Cry of Freedom"
(1862) (uncredited)
Music by George Frederick Root
Played by a band in a parade
Reprized by an Army band as Lincoln rides to the White House

User Reviews

Holds up pretty well

Episodic recounting of Lincoln's life up to the Presidency. Written by Robert Sherwood, one of FDR's speechwriters. Good performances by Ruth Gordon, Alan Baxter, Howard DaSilva, Clem Bevans.

Massey is the definitive movie Lincoln. Excellent work, emotional range and depth. Much better than Henry Fonda, whose Lincoln was apparently in some kind of trance.

May seem a little dated to modern audiences; occasionally strives for emotional poignancy that now comes across as somewhat corny.

Lots of little details, good depictions of frontier life, political campaigns in the 1800's. Includes two of Lincoln's best speeches from that period, with Massey's performance very close to Lincoln's 19th century oratorical style.

Highly recommended to students of American history and fans of old movies.