Fabulous Film of 1939
Directed by John Ford
Henry Fonda plays Abe Lincoln
Today, 
let’s talk Classic Biographical Fiction-Young Mr. Lincoln! You might ask how a movie can be biographical and yet fictional at the same time. In 1939’s Young Mr. Lincoln, the character and early life of Abe
Lincoln are indeed based upon fact. The main plot of this story, however, is a fictional accounting of his first trial as a young lawyer in Springfield, Illinois. With that in mind, Young Mr. Lincoln is a truly remarkable motion picture and Henry Fonda is superb as the awkward young man from the Midwest who would be President.
As with Drums along the Mohawk (our previous post), Young Mr. Lincoln was a
lso released in 1939 by 20th Century-Fox, produced by Darryl F. Zanuck, directed by John Ford, and starred Henry Fonda, Eddie Collins, and Ward Bond. The beautiful musical scores of both films were composed by Alfred Newman and both screenplays were written (in part) by Lamar Trotti who received the only Academy Award nomination for Young Mr. Lincoln for best writing/original story. There may be other
similarities between the two films, but these are the most noteworthy.
Following Lincoln’s rise from store owner in New Salem, Illinois, to an ill-fated romance with Ann Rutledge (Pauline Moore), to young lawyer with political aspirations in Springfield, to meeting an admiring Mary
Todd (Marjorie Weaver), Young Mr. Lincoln spans approximately ten years of the 16th President’s early life. The story begins when Abe is a store owner in New Salem. He trades goods with the poor Clay family as they travel through town by covered wagon. In return for supplies, Mrs. Clay (Alice Brady) gives Abe a law book, and with encouragement from Ann Rutledge, his interest in the law begins (according to this film).
Unfortunately, Ann Rutledge dies (the most poignant moments of the film revolve around Ann and her death), so Abe moves to Springfield to set up his law office. Once again he crosses paths with the Clay family when Mrs. Clay’s two sons (Richard Cromwell and Eddie Quillan) are almost lynched for a murder committed during the 4th of July celebration. Abe stops the lynching and represents the
brothers in his first trial. His courtroom methods are both thoughtful and humorous. (One of our favorite cross-examinations is between Abe and witness J. Palmer Cass (Ward Bond). Abe asks Cass what the J. stands for and Cass tells him it stands for John. Abe then asks him if he’s ever called Jack. Cass says he is. Abe questions him further about his name and 
finally tells Cass that if it’s all the same to him, he’ll just call him Jack Cass “jackass”. The courtroom erupts with laughter.) Of course, Abe gets down to business and reveals the real murderer by the end of the trial. The Clay family is reunited and able to return home-thanks to the underestimated skill of Young Mr. Lincoln.
We have always loved this Fabulous Film of 1939. It used to be shown on local t
elevision every Lincoln’s Birthday when we were growing up, so it holds a special place in our hearts. Another wonderful film about Abraham Lincoln is Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1940), with Raymond Massey and Ruth Gordon. Both Massey and Fonda give incredible performances as Lincoln. See one or both of these amazing “biopics” when you get the chance. They really are inspirational classics.
Another Fabulous Film of 1939 will appear in our next post, so check out Let’s Talk Classic Movies every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
**Trivia Question for Today: Which film was released first-Drums along the Mohawk or Young Mr. Lincoln?
Trivia Answer for Previous Post: I
n Drums along the Mohawk, Nancy Kelly was originally slated to play Lana Martin. She was certainly nearer the age of the character who was only supposed to be 18 at the time of her marriage to Gil. Claudette Colbert, though wonderful in the role, was twice the age of the character she portrayed.
let’s talk Classic Biographical Fiction-Young Mr. Lincoln! You might ask how a movie can be biographical and yet fictional at the same time. In 1939’s Young Mr. Lincoln, the character and early life of Abe
Lincoln are indeed based upon fact. The main plot of this story, however, is a fictional accounting of his first trial as a young lawyer in Springfield, Illinois. With that in mind, Young Mr. Lincoln is a truly remarkable motion picture and Henry Fonda is superb as the awkward young man from the Midwest who would be President.As with Drums along the Mohawk (our previous post), Young Mr. Lincoln was a
lso released in 1939 by 20th Century-Fox, produced by Darryl F. Zanuck, directed by John Ford, and starred Henry Fonda, Eddie Collins, and Ward Bond. The beautiful musical scores of both films were composed by Alfred Newman and both screenplays were written (in part) by Lamar Trotti who received the only Academy Award nomination for Young Mr. Lincoln for best writing/original story. There may be other
similarities between the two films, but these are the most noteworthy.Following Lincoln’s rise from store owner in New Salem, Illinois, to an ill-fated romance with Ann Rutledge (Pauline Moore), to young lawyer with political aspirations in Springfield, to meeting an admiring Mary
Todd (Marjorie Weaver), Young Mr. Lincoln spans approximately ten years of the 16th President’s early life. The story begins when Abe is a store owner in New Salem. He trades goods with the poor Clay family as they travel through town by covered wagon. In return for supplies, Mrs. Clay (Alice Brady) gives Abe a law book, and with encouragement from Ann Rutledge, his interest in the law begins (according to this film).
Unfortunately, Ann Rutledge dies (the most poignant moments of the film revolve around Ann and her death), so Abe moves to Springfield to set up his law office. Once again he crosses paths with the Clay family when Mrs. Clay’s two sons (Richard Cromwell and Eddie Quillan) are almost lynched for a murder committed during the 4th of July celebration. Abe stops the lynching and represents the
brothers in his first trial. His courtroom methods are both thoughtful and humorous. (One of our favorite cross-examinations is between Abe and witness J. Palmer Cass (Ward Bond). Abe asks Cass what the J. stands for and Cass tells him it stands for John. Abe then asks him if he’s ever called Jack. Cass says he is. Abe questions him further about his name and 
finally tells Cass that if it’s all the same to him, he’ll just call him Jack Cass “jackass”. The courtroom erupts with laughter.) Of course, Abe gets down to business and reveals the real murderer by the end of the trial. The Clay family is reunited and able to return home-thanks to the underestimated skill of Young Mr. Lincoln.We have always loved this Fabulous Film of 1939. It used to be shown on local t
elevision every Lincoln’s Birthday when we were growing up, so it holds a special place in our hearts. Another wonderful film about Abraham Lincoln is Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1940), with Raymond Massey and Ruth Gordon. Both Massey and Fonda give incredible performances as Lincoln. See one or both of these amazing “biopics” when you get the chance. They really are inspirational classics.Another Fabulous Film of 1939 will appear in our next post, so check out Let’s Talk Classic Movies every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
**Trivia Question for Today: Which film was released first-Drums along the Mohawk or Young Mr. Lincoln?
Trivia Answer for Previous Post: I
n Drums along the Mohawk, Nancy Kelly was originally slated to play Lana Martin. She was certainly nearer the age of the character who was only supposed to be 18 at the time of her marriage to Gil. Claudette Colbert, though wonderful in the role, was twice the age of the character she portrayed.
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