Young Abraham Lincoln (Raymond Massy) leaves his rustic Kentucky home for the first time, ultimately settling in Illinois where he reluctantly gets involved in politics. The film ends with his election as President and his departure for Washington. Based on the eponymous play, the film is a bit stagy but Massy (who had starred in the play) is excellent as the slow-talking, homespun 'rail-splitter'. The tall, lean Canadian actor bears a strong resemblance to Lincoln and played the president a number of times. Interestingly, Charles Middleton (perhaps best known as Ming the Merciless in the Flash Gordon serials), who plays Lincoln's father also had played the president a number of times (Lincoln's distinctive appearance is thought to due to Marfan's syndrome or some similar genetic anomaly). Although some dramatic liberties are taken (such as the timing of the famous 'house divided' speech) the film is supposed to be reasonably accurate. Released only one year after John Ford's 'Young Mr. Lincoln' (starring Henry Fonda), the film was a major money-loser for RKO. The film is a bit slow-moving and theatrical but the interesting story (admittedly I was unfamiliar Lincoln's early life) and Massy's Oscar-nominated performance make it well worth watching.
Review of Abe Lincoln in Illinois
