Abe Lincoln in Illinois (film)

• Raymond Massey: Abraham Lincoln
• Gene Lockhart: Stephen A. Douglas
• Ruth Gordon: Mary Todd
• Mary Howard: Ann Rutledge
• Harvey Stephens: Ninian Edwards
• Howard Da Silva: Armstrong
• Minor Watson: Speed
• Harlan Briggs: Denton Offut
• Herbert Rudley: Gale
• Edmund Elton: Mr. Rutledge
• Leona Roberts: Mrs. Rutledge
• George Irving: Robert Edward Lee

Abe Lincoln in Illinois is an American film biography of John Cromwell from 1940 about Abraham Lincoln's years before the election as U.S. president. The screenplay is based on the stage play Abraham Lincoln in Illinois ( Original title: Abe Lincoln in Illinois ) by Robert E. Sherwood, which was in 1939 awarded the Pulitzer Prize. In 1946, a shortened version of 27 minutes in the German cinemas.

Action

1831 leaves the young Abraham Lincoln his parents' house. His first business is the delivery of pigs to New Orleans. On the journey there, he learns in New Salem, Illinois, Ann Rutledge know. After the business transacted Lincoln returns to New Salem. He takes a position in the business of Denton Offut to, falls in love with Ann and wins the recognition of the city's population. Ninian Edwards, the leader of the Whig party is trying to win him as deputies in Congress. Lincoln accepts and wins the election. But the election victory means nothing to him, as Ann dies unexpectedly. The grief gives him a sense of doom, his political ambitions he puts back. At the end of the legislative term, he returned to civilian life.

Lincoln learns the courageous and determined Mary Todd know, trying to get him to return to politics. Lincoln, an outspoken opponent of slavery, feared a breakup of the Union, he should maintain his political position regarding slavery. After another visit to New Salem Lincoln is willing to face the political challenge. Lincoln and Mary married.

After several years of tensions between North and South come to a dangerous point. Lincoln meets his old adversary Stephen Douglas, with whom he delivers passionate debates. Lincoln is sure that his own presidency to cleave the Southern will lead. Despite his reservations, he accepts the election as President of the United States and leaves Illinois to Washington.

Criticism

" A sincere, but ponderous biography with wooden recited dialogues. "

Awards

Academy Awards 1941

• Nomination in the category for Best Actor Raymond Massey
• Nomination in the category of Best black and white camera for James Wong Howe

Background

The film was made in the U.S. state of Oregon.

Raymond Massey, Howard Da Silva and Herbert Rudley occurred in the same roles in the original stage play. For Herbert Rudley the film was his feature film debut, Ruth Gordon for the second role in a feature film. Da Silva was the third time Actor, with his first two roles were not mentioned in the credits. Raymond Massey played the role of Abraham Lincoln two more times: in 1956 in an episode of the TV series Ford Star Jubilee and 1962 in That was the Wild West ( How the West Was Won ). Charles Middleton, known as the performer of the Ming in the Flash Gordon serial order, here plays a small supporting role as Tom Lincoln, the brother of Abraham Lincoln.

Director John Cromwell had to make the same preference as Alfred Hitchcock, small cameo appearances in his films. Here he appears as John Brown.