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Young Mr. Lincoln (1939)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer:
Lamar Trotti (screenplay)
Release Date:
9 June 1939 (USA)
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Tagline:
The story of Abraham Lincoln that has NEVER been told!
Plot:
A fictionalized account of the early life of the American president as a young lawyer facing his greatest court case. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar.
Another 1 win
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User Comments:
Delicious with a grain of salt
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Cast
(Complete credited cast)| Henry Fonda | ... | Abraham Lincoln | |
| Alice Brady | ... | Abigail Clay | |
| Marjorie Weaver | ... | Mary Todd | |
| Arleen Whelan | ... | Sarah Clay | |
| Eddie Collins | ... | Efe Turner | |
| Pauline Moore | ... | Ann Rutledge | |
| Richard Cromwell | ... | Matt Clay | |
| Donald Meek | ... | Prosecutor John Felder | |
| Judith Dickens | ... | Carrie Sue | |
| Eddie Quillan | ... | Adam Clay | |
| Spencer Charters | ... | Judge Herbert A. Bell | |
| Ward Bond | ... | John Palmer Cass | |
| rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Tiny Jones | ... | (scenes deleted) (as Elizabeth Jones) | |
| Eddy Waller | ... | Father (scenes deleted) | |
| Clarence Wilson | ... | Dr. Mason (scenes deleted) | |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
100 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)
Certification:
Finland:S |
USA:Approved (PCA #5216)
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
John Ford and producer Darryl F. Zanuck fought an extended battle over control of the film. Ford even had unused takes of the film destroyed so the studio could not insert them into the movie. One scene that Ford insisted on cutting was a scene where Lincoln met his future assassin, a very young John Wilkes Booth.
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Quotes:
Abe Lincoln:
[cross-examining John Cass] Well, I guess I'll just call you Jack-ass.
[Roar of laughter from spectators]
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[Roar of laughter from spectators]
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Movie Connections:
Featured in Strictly Courtroom (2008) (TV)
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Soundtrack:
The Battle Cry of Freedom
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (34 total)
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According to John Ford's lyrically shot, fictional biopic of Abraham Lincoln's life his greatest faults may have been an obtuseness with woman and an ability to dance in "the worst way." Ford's camera has only praising views to reveal of Mr. Lincoln's early life. But for what the film lacks in character complexities it makes up for in beauty and depth of vision. Uncharacteristically beautiful compositions of early film, what could have been a series of gorgeous still frames, Ford has a unique eye for telling a story. The film sings of the life of a hopeful young man. Henry Fonda plays the contemplative and spontaneously clever Lincoln to a tee, one of his best roles.
The film concerns two young men, brothers, on trial for a murder that both claim to have committed. In classic angry mob style, the town decides to take justice into their own hands and lynch the pair of them, until honest Abe steps into the fray. He charms them with his humor, telling them not to rob him of his first big case, and that they are as good as lynched with him as the boys lawyer. What follows seems to become the outline for all courtroom- murder-dramas thereafter, as Abe cunningly interrogates witnesses to the delight and humor of the judge, jury and town before he stumbles upon the missing links.
The film plays out like many John Ford movies do: a tablespoon of Americana, a dash of moderate predictability, a hint of sarcasm that you aren't sure if you put in the recipe or if Ford did it himself. Despite the overtly 'Hollywood' feel of the film, and overly patriotic banter alluding to Lincoln's future presidency, the film is entirely enjoyable and enjoyably well constructed, if you can take your drama with a grain of salt.