Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1940)

80% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
67% of users liked it
(366 ratings)

Raymond Massey plays Abe Lincoln in this moving adaptation of Robert Sherwood's Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Expanded a bit for cinematic purposes, the film traces Lincoln's progress from his days of scrambling for a living as a woodsman, to his courtship of the tragic Ann Rutledge (Mary Howard) and… More Raymond Massey plays Abe Lincoln in this moving adaptation of Robert Sherwood's Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Expanded a bit for cinematic purposes, the film traces Lincoln's progress from his days of scrambling for a living as a woodsman, to his courtship of the tragic Ann Rutledge (Mary Howard) and then the mercurial Mary Todd (Ruth Gordon), to the formative years of his law practice, to his debates with Stephen Douglas (Gene Lockhart), and finally to his election as President of the soon-to-be-divided United States in 1860. Latter-day critics have complained about Massey's stolidity in his signature role, but even the most stone-hearted viewer will be moved by such scenes as Lincoln riding through the ruins of what once was the village of Salem; Abe's heated election-eve quarrel with his spiteful wife Mary; and his climactic speech from the observation car of the train that will carry him to Washington...and immortality. Abe Lincoln at Illinois turned out to be a succes d'estime for its producer Max Gordon and its studio (RKO), taking a bath to the tune of $750,000. Its failure moved one Hollywood wise-guy to collar Gordon at a party and say, "I can't understand it, Max. Lincoln was so kind to everybody but you." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 49 min.
Directed By: John Cromwell
Written By: Robert E. Sherwood, Grover Jones
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Feb 12, 1940 Wide
Studio: RKO Pictures

Critic Reviews

Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Fine characterization of Lincoln by Raymond Massey with strong period look and feel.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A serviceable biopic.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
John Cromwell's historically inaccurate biopicture, which is inferior to Ford's Young Mr. Lincoln, was nonetheless nominated for tow Oscars: Actor to Raymond Massey, in what became his signature role, and cinematography.

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Cast

            Raymond Massey as Abraham Lincoln

            Ruth Gordon as Mary Todd Lincoln

            Gene Lockhart as Stephen Douglas

            Mary Howard as Ann Rutledge

            Dorothy Tree as Elizabeth Edwards

            Harvey Stephens as Ninian Edwards

            Minor Watson as Joshua Speed

            Alan Baxter as Billy Herndon

            Howard Da Silva as Jack Armstrong

            Aldrich Bowker as Judge Bowling Green

            Maurice Murphy as John McNeill

            Louis Jean Heydt as Mentor Graham

            Clem Bevans as Ben Battling

            Harlan Briggs as Denton Offut

            Herbert Rudley as Seth Gale

            Andy Clyde as Stage Driver

            Roger Imhof as Mr. Crimmin

            Leona Roberts as Mrs. Rutledge

            Edmund Elton as Mr. Rutledge

            Florence Roberts as Mrs. Bowling Green

            George Rosener as Dr. Chandler

            Fay Helm as Mrs. Seth Gale

            Sid Saylor as John Johnston

            Elizabeth Risdon as Sarah Lincoln

            Trevor Bardette as John Hanks

            Alec Craig as Trem Cogdall

            Peggy Ann Garner as Little Girl

            Charles B. Middleton as Tom Lincoln

            Kate Reid
            
            John Cromwell as John Brown

            Napoleon Simpson as Gobey
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