Tennessee Johnson (1942)

Parents Guide:

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Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

December 1942 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

The Man on America's Conscience See more »

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) See more »

Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Trivia

There was a protest from some sectors that the film distorted the life of Thaddeus Stevens (who initiated the impeachment proceedings against President Andrew Johnson). Additional filming occurred in October 1942, but it is not known if it was because of these protests. One line in the script (Stevens referring to Lincoln as "the old ape") was eliminated. Still, the film treats Johnson much more favorably than it does Stevens. See more »

Goofs

Factual errors: The film erroneously portrays some historical aspects of Johnson's impeachment. The decisive vote against removing the President from office was cast not by an ailing Senator, brought into the chamber at the last minute, who has a sudden change of heart, but by a Republican Senator from Kansas, Edmund Ross, who believed the impeachment articles against Johnson were trumped-up political charges without merit. Also, the name of the Senator who would have succeeded Johnson had he been removed from office was Ben Wade, not "Jim Waters" as named in the movie. See more »

Quotes

Jefferson Davis: I must pronounce our solemn farewell. Under these circumstances, of course, my functions - and those of my colleagues - terminate here. We but tread in the path of our fathers when we proclaim our independence - and take the hazard, putting our trust in God, and in our own firm hearts - and strong arms - we will vindicate the right as best we may.
[looking slowly around the room]
Jefferson Davis: I see now around me some with whom I have served long; there have been points of collision. For whatever offense I have given, I ask forgiveness. Of whatever of offense there has been to me, I leave here. I carry with me no hostile remembrance. I go hence unencumbered of the remembrance of injury received, and having discharged the duty of making the only reparation in my power for any injury offered.
[...]
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Soundtracks

"Red River Valley"
Traditional
Music by James Kerrigen
In the score introducing 1860
Played by a marching band when Lincoln wins the 1864 election See more »