YOUNG MR LINCOLN
US, 1939, 100 minutes, Black and white.
Henry Fonda, Alice Brady, Marjorie Weaver, Pauline Moore.
Directed by John Ford.
Young Mr. Lincoln is a fine piece of Americana by John Ford, written by veteran Lamar Trotti. It came immediately after Ford's break-through movie, Stagecoach. Henry Fonda is excellent as the young Mr. Lincoln - an American icon of integrity, innocence and shrewdness. He brings his own characteristics and combines them with the traditions of Lincoln. At this time john Cromwell made Abe Lincoln in Illinois with Raymond Massey. The film shows Lincoln becoming a lawyer in the 30s in Illinois. It gives indications of his integrity as well as his power over an audience and his application of law. The film was made in 1939 - the vintage year of the golden years of Hollywood.
1. Interesting and entertaining piece of Americana? From the perspective of the 30s? Later decades? The memories of the Civil War and Lincoln, divisions between north and south?
2. Black and white photography, Illinois in the 1830s? The musical score and the romantic themes by Alfred Newman? The work of John Ford?
3. The title, the focus, Lincoln's status in American history and culture? The finale with the Lincoln Memorial?
4. Henry Fonda's screen presence and style as the young Mr Lincoln? Made up to look like Lincoln? His background, explanation of his log cabin origins in Kentucky? The opening poem about his mother? His work, self-education, love for Anne Rutledge, her encouragement of him, her death and his visit to her grave, the falling stick -and his pushing it? Getting the books? reading, partnership? His speech in support of Stuart ? T n the town, legal practice? The fair, the enjoyment of the fair and the recreation of the period? The fight, the killing? His sympathy for Mrs. Clay? Concern about the boys and justice? His stopping the lynching - his persuasive speech, the humour of asking them to think about himself? His singling out of a citizen, the reading of the bible, the beatitude of mercy? His friendship with Mrs Clay? Wanting to get the truth from her? The court case, the prosecutor and his style, Lincoln seemingly lackadaisical style, shrewdness, answering the prosecutor, the judges appreciation? The emergence of the truth, the cross examinations? The exoneration His achievement ~ and stepping forward, going up the hill into his future? The insights into the character of Abraham Lincoln?
5. Lincoln's love for Anne Rutledge? Her death? The encounter with the Todds, Mary Todd, his going to the dance, his awkwardness - yet nimble of foot? The background to his marriage to Mary Todd?
6. Lincoln, the people of the town, his friendships, knowing them all? Drawing on this? His assistance? His behaviour at the court - especially with the question of the witnesses - with shrewdness and humour?
7. The Clay family, the men and the women, their hopes, pioneers? Mrs Clay and her friendship with Lincoln? The boys, their absence? Guilt or innocence? Their women and their support? In the court - and Lincoln's getting them free?
8. The court, the judge and his snoring and laughing? The prosecutor and his pedantic manner? The sheriff - the cross examination, his guilt?
9. A recreation of an innocent and ideal America - with its faults and violence, with its clashes? Yet with its hopes from pioneers building up a land - and the base for Abraham Lincoln's place in history?
