Abe Lincoln in Illinois | |
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Theatrical release poster
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Directed by | John Cromwell |
Produced by | Max Gordon |
Written by | Grover Jones (adaptation) |
Screenplay by | Robert E. Sherwood |
Based on |
Abe Lincoln in Illinois 1938 play by Robert E. Sherwood |
Starring |
Raymond Massey Gene Lockhart Ruth Gordon Mary Howard Minor Watson Alan Baxter |
Music by | Roy Webb |
Cinematography | James Wong Howe |
Edited by | George Hively |
Distributed by | RKO Radio Pictures |
Release date
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Running time
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110 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $1,004,000 |
Box office | $666,000 |
Abe Lincoln in Illinois is a 1940 biographical film which tells the story of the life of Abraham Lincoln from his departure from Kentucky until his election as President of the United States.
The film stars Raymond Massey and Howard Da Silva, who revived their roles from the original Broadway production of Abe 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. This film was the screen acting debut of Ruth Gordon as Mary Todd Lincoln.
The movie was adapted by Grover Jones and Robert E. Sherwood from Sherwood's Pulitzer Prize-winning play. It was directed by John Cromwell.
The film received Academy Award nominations for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Raymond Massey) and Best Cinematography, Black-and-White (James Wong Howe).
Abe Lincoln (Raymond Massey) leaves home for the first time, having been hired along with two of his friends by Denton Offut (Harlan Briggs) to take a load of pigs by water to New Orleans. When the boat gets stuck at a dam at the settlement of New Salem, Abe first sees and loses his heart to Ann Rutledge (Mary Howard), the beautiful daughter of the local tavern keeper. Thus, when Denton later offers him a job at the store he has decided to set up in New Salem, Abe readily accepts.