| Abe Lincoln in Illinois | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | John Cromwell |
| Written by | Grover Jones |
| Screenplay by | Robert E. Sherwood |
| Based on | Abe Lincoln in Illinois 1938 play byRobert E. Sherwood |
| Produced by | Max Gordon |
| Starring | Raymond Massey Gene Lockhart Ruth Gordon Mary Howard Minor Watson Alan Baxter |
| Cinematography | James Wong Howe |
| Edited by | George Hively |
| Music by | Roy Webb |
Production company | RKO Radio Pictures |
| Distributed by | RKO Radio Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 110 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1,004,000[2] |
| Box office | $666,000[2] |
Abe Lincoln in Illinois is a 1940 biographical-drama film that depicts the life ofAbraham Lincoln from his departure from his father's Decatur, Illinois farm until his election as president of the United States. In the UK, the film is known by the alternate titleSpirit of the People.[3] The film was adapted byGrover Jones andRobert E. Sherwood from Sherwood's 1938Pulitzer Prize-winningplay of the same name. It was directed byJohn Cromwell.
The film starsRaymond Massey andHoward da Silva, who reprised their roles from the original Broadway production ofAbe Lincoln in Illinois, playing Abe Lincoln and Jack Armstrong respectively.Herbert Rudley, who had portrayed Seth Gale in the play, also repeated his role in the film version. The film also marks the screen debut ofRuth Gordon in the role ofMary Todd Lincoln.[4]
The film receivedAcademy Award nominations forBest Actor in a Leading Role (Raymond Massey) andBest Cinematography, Black-and-White (James Wong Howe).
Abraham Lincoln leaves home for the first time, having been hired along with two of his friends byDenton Offutt to take a load of pigs by water to New Orleans. When the boat becomes stuck at a dam at the settlement of New Salem, Abe sees and loses his heart to Ann Rutledge, the daughter of the local tavern keeper. When Denton later offers him a job at his store in New Salem, Abe readily accepts.
Abe discovers that Ann already has a beau. However, he makes himself the most popular man in town with his ready, good-natured humor. He takes lessons from schoolteacherMentor Graham. When Abe's rival for Ann's affections leaves to improve himself, Ann waits for the man for two years before receiving a letter stating that the man does not know when he will return. Abe seizes the opportunity to express his love for Ann, but she is unsure of her feelings for him and asks for some time. She soon dies from "brain fever", telling Abe on her deathbed that she could have loved him.
Abe is asked to run for theIllinois General Assembly. He reluctantly accepts and wins, but after his first term inSpringfield, he decides to study the law. WhenMary Todd visits her sister Elizabeth Edwards and her wealthy, influential husbandNinian, a party is held in her honor. All of the eligible bachelors come, includingStephen Douglas, Abe's fiercest political rival. However, it is the homely, unpolished Abe who catches Mary's fancy, much to her sister's chagrin. The ambitious Mary senses greatness in him, and she is determined to drive him to his rightful destiny despite his lack of ambition. Abe proposes marriage but changes his mind at the last minute, discomfited by her drive, and he leaves town. After reflection, he proposes again, and Mary accepts. Years pass, and they have several children.
Lincoln runs for a seat in theU.S, Senate and engages in aseries of debates with Stephen Douglas, the opposing candidate, during which the main issue isslavery. In a stirring speech, Abe contends that "a house divided against itself cannot stand."
With apresidential election looming, Abe's party is so split that the favorites are unacceptable to all. The party leaders compromise ondark-horse candidate Lincoln. He is opposed by three other candidates, including Douglas. Abe wins the election, bids his friends goodbye and boards the train for Washington, D.C.
RKO paid "upwards of $175,000" for the play's film rights.[5] Filming took place in Eugene, Oregon.[6]
Abe Lincoln in Illinois had its premiere on January 22, 1940 at the RKO Keith in Washington D.C. withEleanor Roosevelt as guest of honor.[1][7]
In a contemporary review forThe New York Times, criticFrank S. Nugent called the film "a grand picture and a memorable biography of the greatest American of them all" and praised Massey's performance: "His Lincoln has acquired, with constant usage of the role, a mellowness, an evenness, an assurance that make the character seem less put on than foreordained by nature and by art. He looks the part, he is the man, he speaks the lines as Lincoln must have spoken them, or should have spoken them. We recognize that it is unfair to take performance for granted, but that will be Mr. Massey's fate: you will simply think of him as Lincoln."[8]
The film recorded a loss of $740,000, making it one of the greatest financial disasters in RKO's history. However, in the states of Illinois and Indiana, where the film was heavily promoted, it became the highest-grossing film in most theaters. Nationwide, it lost attendance to a number of successful films such asRebecca,Foreign Correspondent,Pinocchio,The Grapes of Wrath,Fantasia,The Sea Hawk,Our Town,Santa Fe Trail,The Letter,Northwest Passage andPride and Prejudice.[2]
Abe Lincoln in Illinois was dramatized as an hour-long radio play on a broadcast ofLux Radio Theater on April 22, 1940, again starring Raymond Massey as Lincoln. It also was adapted in a broadcast from theFord Theatre on February 8, 1948.
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