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Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1940)

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14 out of 18 people found the following comment useful :-
LINCOLN: Before He Became President, 12. Oktober 2004
Author: lugonian von Kissimmee, Florida

ABE LINCOLN IN ILLINOIS (RKO Radio, 1940), directed by John Cromwell, is not actually the life of Abraham Lincoln, but the life Lincoln had lived from his early years to a position that would lead him to politics, and against all odds, his winning the election for the United States presidency in 1860. Based on the Pulitzer Prize winning 1938 play by Robert E. Sherwood, the screen adaptation, tracing Lincoln's thirty years starting in 1831 to his train ride leading to Washington, D.C., in 1861, stars Raymond Massey in a role he originated on stage, being the best performance of a great American ever enacted by an actor who wasn't. Massey, a Canadian by birth, is not only the perfect candidate for the title role, but an ideal choice. Massey's believability in his role earned him an Academy Award nomination as Best Actor. Although he didn't win the election for that year, it is Massey who very well holds this movie together.

A follow-up of sorts to John Ford's most recent YOUNG MR. LINCOLN (20th Century-Fox, 1939), starring Henry Fonda, focusing on Lincoln's early years as a young lawyer in Springfield, Ill., and a retelling in parts to D.W. Griffith's ABRAHAM LINCOLN (United Artists, 1930), starring Walter Huston, ABE LINCOLN IN ILLINOIS starts off on a rainy afternoon in 1831 with an introduction to the character of Abraham Lincoln (Raymond Massey), age 22, sitting on the floor in a log cabin reading a book by Shakespeare, accompanied by his father (Charles B. Middleton) and a stepmother (Elisabeth Risdon) whom he worships as his very own mother (who died when Abe was a boy of seven). With the Lincoln family background briefly depicted, the next scene follows Abe, who had left home to accept a $30 a month job as part of the crew rowing a flatboat hauling hogs down the Sangamon River to New Orleans. After the hogs break loose and swim ashore, Abe and the others rush out to retrieve them.

Along the way he encounters a very beautiful girl named Ann Rutledge (Mary Howard). After delivering the hogs, Abe, who cannot forget Ann, decides to settle down in her native town of New Salem where he becomes in charge of a general store, a position offered him by his employer, Denton Offut (Harlan Briggs). When he finds Jack Armstrong (Howard Da Silva), the greatest fighter who cannot be beat, a little drunk and annoying Ann, who, along with his other friends, having invaded her tavern, Abe, a stranger in town, comes to the young lady's defense and publicly wrestles Jack to the end, defeating his advisory and winning the admiration from all, especially the respect and loyalship of Jack Armstrong. The year 1832 profiles Lincoln acting as leader in command of his soldiers, with Armstrong being among them, during the Blackhawk War period; 1835 now finds Lincoln in a new position as postmaster general. He is visited by Joshua Speed (Minor Watson) and Ninian Edwards (Harvey Stephens) who introduce Abe to politics by choosing him to serve in the legislature, which he would serve four terms. As for Ann, having been engaged to John McNeil (Maurice Murphy), now living in New York for two years, finds that after receiving a letter from him that he has no intentions of returning to her. To stop gossip from circulating around Ann's good name, Abe admits his love for her from the moment he first saw her, and asks her to become his steady. The relationship between Abe and Ann is cut short when she is stricken with an illness and dies. Lincoln quits the legislation to work in the law office with John Stuart in Springfield, forming a partnership of Stuart & Lincoln, Counselors-at-Law. Slowly improving his social position, Lincoln is introduced to Mary Todd (Ruth Gordon) at a function given by her sister and Ninian's wife, Elizabeth Edwards (Dorothy Tree). Elizabeth wants Mary to marry an aristocrat, someone like Stephen A. Douglas (Gene Lockhart), but her interest rests on Mr. Lincoln, whom she eventually marries on November 4, 1842, following a stormy relationship and a broken engagement.

The marriage produces four sons (the movie indicates three, eliminating one who had died in his fourth year), and shows Mary's fight in having her hayseed husband fulfill his destiny, to become president of the United States. Following Lincoln's historic presidential debate against Stephen A. Douglas, "Honest Abe," an unlikely candidate of Illinois, fulfills his wife's dream in a job he never wanted, thus, winning the election and presidential seat in the White House. Lincoln's personal problems and trying years in office during the Civil War years leading to the abolishment of slavery in the United States does not get depicted on screen, but during the course of the story, much of what is to occur is hinted with the use of dialogue.

The supporting cast includes Alan Baxter as Billy Herndon, serving as clerk in Lincoln's law firm; Aldrich Bowler as Judge Bowling Green; Clem Bevans as Ben Mattling; Herbert Rudley as Seth Gale; Louis Jean Heydt as Mentor Graham, and many others. Director John Cromwell appears unbilled as American abolitionist John Brown.

Raymond Massey (1896-1983), a veteran of the screen both in England and Hollywood for almost a decade, with a wide variety of roles ranging from British detective Sherlock Holmes in THE SPECKLED BAND (1931) to John Brown in SANTA FE TRAIL (WB, 1940), offers a fine characterization of Abe Lincoln on screen. Massey's Lincoln is adventurous, intelligent with a wit and wisdom, but most fearful of his temperamental wife, Mary, than of his constant premonitions that his life will come to a tragic end. Massey's Lincoln is clean shaven through most of the story, until the near end where he slowly grows a beard after reading a letter written by a little girl telling him that whiskers would give him dignity. Massey would play Lincoln on screen again briefly in HOW THE WEST WAS WON (MGM, 1962). Ruth Gordon (1896-1985), a prominent stage actress and playwright, making her movie debut, gives a striking performance as one of the best carnations of Mary Todd Lincoln ever portrayed on screen. Sadly, with the exception of her next movie, a bio-pic titled DOCTOR EHRLICH'S MAGIC BULLET (WB, 1940) starring Edward G. Robinson, her other limited screen efforts became unrewarding and forgettable, and by 1943, left the screen after appearing in ACTION IN THE NORTH Atlantic (WB, 1943), a war drama starring Humphrey Bogart, which found her playing a small role as the wife of a submarine captain, portrayed by none other than Raymond "Abe Lincoln" Massey. Two decades would pass before Gordon would gain recognition on screen, as well as television, notably with her Academy Award winning performance in the supporting category in ROSEMARY'S BABY (Paramount, 1968). As for ABE LINCOLN IN ILLINOIS, this is where her screen career began, and what an introduction this was. As for Gene Lockhart (1892-1957), a veteran character actor in many feature film roles, goes unnoticed as a very satisfying Stephen A. Douglas (1813-1861). Lockhart's best moment on screen finds his Stephen Douglas sincerely congratulating his opponent Abraham Lincoln in winning the U.S. election, something that should become a prime example with modern-day candidates.

As mentioned before, ABE LINCOLN IN ILLINOIS is very much a retread to D.W. Griffith's 1930 presentation of ABRAHAM LINCOLN, with the differences being the elimination of Lincoln's birth, his trying years in the White House during the Civil War and assassination in 1865. But in many ways, ABE LINCOLN IN ILLINOIS is an excellent movie, for its time anyway. Today many might shy away from movies such as this mainly because Lincoln is portrayed as a great leader and sole interest, and not some sort of action figure to stir up excitement like Indiana Jones or James Bond. No, Lincoln was a poor man who became a legendary figure, and the movie itself, indicates that in its leisurely paced production. Being a screen adaptation to a stage play, John Cromwell's direction, makes no indication as a such. Minus Technicolor, it's full of outdoor scenery and historical detail ranging from costumes to reproductions of small towns. Highlights include the well staged Lincoln-Douglas debate, as well as Lincoln finally losing his temper towards his wife, Mary, after embarrassing him in front of his committee, by ordering her, twice, "You're not/never to do that again!"

ABE LINCOLN IN ILLINOIS, formerly shown on commercial television annually either on or around Lincoln's birthday, February 12, later presented on video cassette from either Nostalgia Merchant or RKO Home Video (both discontinued), and finally on cable television's American Movie Classics prior to 2000, can be seen occasionally on Turner Classic Movies. Quite enjoyable as a motion picture, and informative on a historical point of view, this production, which runs at 110 minutes, succeeds on both counts. "Glory, Glory Hallelujah, his truth is marching on." Enjoy.

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10 out of 11 people found the following comment useful :-
The Real Mr. Lincoln, 19. Oktober 1999
Author: Mike Sh. (michaelshannon123@comcast.net) von Lowell MA

With all due respect to Henry Fonda, Walter Huston, and a myriad of other cinematic Lincolns, Raymond Massey is the Abe to end all Abes. His moving and mesmerizing performance gives us the real Mr. Lincoln in all his complexity. Alongside the warmth, compassion and humor for which we love and revere Mr. Lincoln, we see in Massey the dark side as well: the doubts, fears, indecision and deep melancholia with which Abraham Lincoln struggled his whole life, and which clashed with his fierce ambition. Ruth Gordon is superb as Lincoln's equally ambitious wife, Mary Todd Lincoln. No hagiography, this movie lets us see the Lincolns as human beings with real "issues", rather than mere heroes of history.

Besides all this, we have Massey's astonishing physical resemblance to Lincoln.

What's most amazing is that the spirit of this most quintessentially American of our American heroes should be so wonderfully captured and portrayed by.... a Canadian!

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7 out of 8 people found the following comment useful :-
Abe Lincoln would've made a great Raymond Massey..., 27. Mai 2003
Author: rsterr von Lititz, Pa.

If only we could've cloned Mr. Massey back in 1940, and then waited for a scriptwriter who could take a more controlled hand with historical accuracy than was fashionable in those days, and released the movie today...this remains my favorite treatment of one of my favorite historical figures; Massey seems born to have played Lincoln, from the obvious physical resemblance to the supposed mannerisms, and in doing so far outshines other Lincoln performances (Fonda's and Peck's come to mind). My peeve with the film is with historical detail, and I realize that Hollywood willingly sacrifices accuracy for dramatic artifice without so much as a blush...

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5 out of 6 people found the following comment useful :-
Holds up pretty well, 1. Januar 2003
Author: nosoapradio von Portland, OR

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.

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6 out of 8 people found the following comment useful :-
A beautiful movie about a great American, 23. Februar 2003

Author: William (wmattifo) von Lubbock, TX

This movie is breathtaking. It takes us back to a simpler time when America was still a "blank canvas" ready to be filled. Everyone must see this movie and remember the sacrifices that Abe Lincoln made for his beliefs. He gave his life for his country and this movie shows his humble beginnings and the humility of the man. This is what historical film-making is all about. Watch and enjoy!

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4 out of 5 people found the following comment useful :-
How Lincoln really sounded..., 22. Februar 2007

Author: jpowell180 von Birmingham, Al.

If you've ever wanted to hear what Abe Lincoln sounded like, this is the film you'll want to see. Lincoln is portrayed by the late Canadian actor Raymond Massey - who, amongst many other roles, is also remembered from HG Welles' Things to Come, the screenplay of which was written by HG Welles himself. Early in Massey's career, Lincoln's son, Robert Todd Lincoln, heard him perform and was struck by the similarity between Massey's speaking voice and that of his father. Since there are no recordings of Lincoln from that era shortly before Edison invented the Gramophone, we have to rely on descriptions of his voice. Some from that time state Lincoln's voice was high-pitched, and that Massey did not do the voice properly - however, I tend to give more credence to a living witness, Lincoln's own eldest son who, though he died 14 years prior to this film, still had the opportunity to see Massey on stage and hear his voice. Massey got it right, and this is one wonderful film - too bad I haven't found it on DVD - the next time it airs on TMC I'll have to record a DVD of it for myself.

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2 out of 2 people found the following comment useful :-
"Abe Lincoln in Illinois" Movie Review with a Big Ending Spoiler!, 10. Februar 2006

Author: Stormy_Autumn von the Pacific Northwest

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

In Robert Sherwood's "Abe Lincoln in Illinois"(1940), Raymond Massey was Abraham Lincoln, and it showed.

"Abe Lincoln in Illinois" is the best of the Lincoln movies. I don't believe it can be surpassed. Raymond Massey, a born and bred Canadian, portrayed Lincoln as a melancholic persona due to the losses he had suffered. In spite of these painful memories; such as the deaths of his mother Nancy and sweetheart, Ann Rutledge, Lincoln moved forward with his life.

Lincoln started his law practice in Springfield, Illinois. He met the sister-in-law of friend Ninian Edwards, Mary Todd. (Lincoln jested that God spelled His Name with only one "D" but the Todd's needed two). Mary was interested in Abraham, her sister wasn't. She felt Mary needed to meet a more refined fellow, not a backwoods lawyer. But Mary saw a winner in Abraham.

As a lawyer, Abe tended to show a great deal of interest in all people, in helping the poor and in politics. With his humor and ability to use stories to make points, Abe was very popular with the citizens of Springfield. Mary liked those positives in his personality.

During these years, Lincoln worked hard and readied himself for a successful law and political career. With a 'hard' push from Mary, Abraham was going to make something of himself.

He and Mary Todd were engaged. Then, due to a deep depression, Lincoln abruptly broke it off. According to some he missed Ann. Mary tended to be Ann's polar opposite.

Around this time Lincoln and Douglas held their famous debates. Lincoln was anti-slavery. Douglas believed it was the state's right to decide on slave issues. Douglas won. He went to the U.S. Senate as the Honorable Stephen Douglas of the State of Illinois.

Soon after, despite her family's opposition and Stephen Douglas's hard work to prevent it, Mary Todd went on to marry her Abraham.

During their years in Springfield, Lincoln built a successful practice. He and Mary had 4 sons; Robert, William, Edward and Thomas (Tad). (Eddie died while they were still in Springfield.)

While practicing law, Abe continued to keep his foot in politics. He was asked to run for president in the new Republican Party. Lincoln won the White House. Mary had won the greatest prize of her life. Little did she know what she was going to lose.

Just a few little asides:

Raymond Massey had done this as a play. Writer, Robert Sherwood and director, John Cromwell asked him to do the movie. The Massey-Ferguson Farm Machinary Company of Canada was founded by his Grandfather. In his later years, Massey became a U.S. citizen.

Gene Lockhart, Bob Cratchett of "A Christmas Carol"(1938), played Stephen Douglas. Lockhart was the father of actress June Lockhart who played one of the Cratchett children. Wife Kathleen was Mrs. Cratchett.

Ruth Gordon, known as the fun 80 year old Maude of the cult film "Harold & Maude" (1971), played Mary Todd. She was the feisty, fighting 80 plus year old in "Every Which Way But Loose"] (1978) and "Any Which Way You Can" (1980) (Senovia 'Ma' Boggs) (Clint Eastwood was the star but, IMO, Ruth was the favored comic relief.)

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3 out of 4 people found the following comment useful :-
Best ever portrayal of Lincoln on film., 12. April 2006

Author: allvnev von United States

I have seen this film probably 15 times or more and have been a devotee of the Lincoln mythology (for lack of a better term) for nearly 20 years. I remember first seeing the film as a youngster on the same weekend as the death and funeral of President Kennedy in November of 1963. At that time, the two scenes that struck me as most memorable to my young mind was the one where the local woman tells Lincoln that he is the homeliest man in the county; and, the other scene where Lincoln is telling the slightly off-color joke to a crowd about the man fighting the bear. Also, another visual that sticks in my memory is the somewhat haunting scene where Lincoln revisits New Salem after the once thriving city has become a ghost-town.

There are several marvelous aspects of this movie. To begin with, is the near perfect physical and emotional representation of Lincoln by Raymond Massey. Given the photographs of the pre-president Lincoln, making Massey into sixteenth president seems nearly ordained from the beginning. The height, facial structure, and body type is nearly a perfect fit. Regarding how Lincoln spoke, it is hard to determine if that is an accurate representation or not. Historical accounts of Lincoln says that he had a rather high and not necessarily soothing voice. Since, it would be another 30 plus years before there is any kind of recording device, Massey's voice should seem appropriate enough.

Additionally, the cinematography is excellent. The on-location or natural shots are superior by black and white standards. Even though I am a devotee of black and white films, color films seem to have the upper hand when filming wide-open or rustic environments. The feel of the indoor scenes such as the ones within the Lincoln Springfield home is nearly perfect for the times. You can virtually smell the cigar smoke or the burning wood stove. Finally, the lighting during the campaign speech scenes are awesome.

But, the best part of the movie is how even with some artistic license the characters surrounding Lincoln are historically strong and represent in a film microcosm a very accurate historical reality of Lincoln's early years. For example, starting with Ruth Gordon's portrayal of Mary Linoln Todd. With her character, you can easily feel how much she effected Lincoln. Her persistent pressure on Lincoln to achieve political importance and her hard-nose, sometimes loving, sometimes bitter prescience is from my historical reading just about perfect. Since the film takes place before Lincoln is actually president, Mary Todd Lincoln's shenanigans within the White House or her emotional unraveling in her later years is not an issue here.

The romance demonstrated between Lincoln and Ann Rutledge, although later to be historically challenged, then even later to be considered historically (possibly) significant, is quite sadly moving. It is nicely juxtaposition-ed against the image of Mary Lincoln Todd.

Howard De Silva as New Salem's local ruffian is although somewhat embellished, still represents Lincoln's ability to relate to people from all walks of life. The film just seems to find the vital essence of young Lincoln before he became president.

The surreal, final scene of Lincoln leaving Springfield for Washington D.C. (again although actually happening during the day during a rainstorm)after giving one of his many great historical speeches ("this is where I have lived") catches the eerie but profound feel of how important his leadership is going to mean to the struggling republic. The playing of the "Battle Hymnn of the Republic" although premature, is still simple perfect.

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1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :-
The Lincoln Standard, 11. Februar 2008

Author: bkoganbing von Buffalo, New York

Besides Raymond Massey, a whole flock of actors have been known for playing America's sixteenth president, Henry Fonda, Walter Huston, Sam Waterston, Hal Holbrook, Dennis Weaver, Gregory Peck, John Carradine. Character actor Frank McGlyn practically made a career of playing The Great Emancipator whenever Honest Abe was a character in a film. But the standard has been set by Raymond Massey who did Lincoln in Robert Sherwood's play for 472 performances on Broadway during the 1938-1939 season and he repeats the title role in Abe Lincoln in Illinois for this film version.

I've no doubt that Sherwood used as source material for his play a lot of information based on Carl Sandburg's biography, Lincoln the Prarie Years. At that time Sandburg was considered the unofficial custodian of the Lincoln legend and mythology. Of course he based a lot of his work on the biography of Lincoln written by his law partner William Herndon played here by Alan Baxter. Herndon's well known antipathy for Mary Todd Lincoln as the shrewish wife of his good friend comes through her in Ruth Gordon's portrayal. It should be said that Mary Lincoln regarded Herndon as an opportunist drunk and he certainly did have a substance abuse problem.

Gene Lockhart as Lincoln's rival Stephen A. Douglas is well done also, though Lockhart was a bit tall for the part. Had Douglas ever been elected president he would have been our shortest president, he was barely over five feet tall. The rivalry between these two was kind of like the Yankees and Red Sox with the Yankees always coming out on top until recent years. Lincoln is still our tallest president at 6'4" so the contrast on the speaking platform at the Lincoln-Douglas debates was really something to see.

The only other actor to recreate his stage role besides Massey was Howard DaSilva who played Jack Armstrong. Not the All American hero, but the leader of the local gang of roughnecks who Lincoln beat in a wrestling match and who becomes his lifelong friend. All part of the Lincoln legend carefully preserved by Sandburg and Sherwood. It was one of DaSilva's earliest screen roles.

Raymond Massey got an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in 1940 and he was up against a strong field that included Henry Fonda for The Grapes of Wrath, Charles Chaplin for The Great Dictator, and Laurence Olivier in Rebecca. The winner however was a long-shot, James Stewart for The Philadelphia Story. There was a lot of sentiment that year that Stewart should have received the Oscar the year before for Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. So the good Academy voters made up for it this year. It goes that way with Oscar every so often.

Abe Lincoln in Illinois still holds up very well although today's historical Lincoln specialists might have different interpretations placed on some of the events you see.

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2 out of 3 people found the following comment useful :-
Execellent beyond belief!!, 17. Februar 2006

Author: technicallyhere92 von United States

I absolutely loved this movie! maybe it is because I am a history buff but I thought it was wonderful!. I am currently doing a project on Abraham Lincoln where my friends and I on working on a student directed film about Abraham Lincoln and you can not imagine how much this movie has helped me. This movie tells the tale of one of the greatest man in history and how he evolved along the way to become even greater. I can only hope that this movie will help someone see the wonders of his life as it helped me and as Honest Abe helped so many other people. I loved it when they showed his debate with Stephen Douglas. That was really the highlight of the movie because it showed him giving his real opinion and it caught my attention. His speech was amazing!! 10 thumbs up!!!! :D

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