Abe Lincoln in Illinois Movie Review 1940

Massey considered this not only his finest film but a part he was "born to play." Correct on both counts, this Hollywood biography follows Lincoln from his log cabin days to his departure for the White House. The Lincoln-Douglass debate scene and Massey's post-presidential election farewell to the citizens of Illinois are nothing short of brilliant. Written by Sherwood from his Pulitzer-Prize winning play. Contrasted with the well-known "Young Mr. Lincoln" (Henry Fonda), its relative anonymity is perplexing.

Distribution

Turner Broadcasting Systems, Inc., 1 CNN Ctr., Box 105366, Atlanta, GA 30303, Phone: (404)827-1700, Toll-free: 800-523-0823, Fax: (404)827-2000, URL: http://www.turner.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS
Running time 110 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Historical Drama, Biopics: Politics, Presidency, Adapted from a Play, 4 Bones

Screenplay

Robert Sherwood

Cast

Raymond Massey, Gene Lockhart, Ruth Gordon, Mary Howard, Dorothy Tree, Harvey Stephens, Minor Watson, Alan Baxter, Howard da Silva, Maurice Murphy, Clem Bevans, Herbert Rudley

Cinematography

James Wong Howe

Director

John Cromwell

Music

Roy Webb

Producer

Max Gordon, RKO