With raymond massey, gene lockhart, ruth gordon, mary howard. Expanded a bit for cinematic purposes, the film traces lincoln s progress from his days. See more ideas about raymond massey, classic movies and old movies. Abe returns to the town, starts a business and marries ann before slowly. Raymond massey, noted for lincoln roles washington post. Abe lincoln in illinois movie directed by john cromwell.
It also focuses on lincolns grief over the death of his presumed first love, ann rutledge. Gene lockhart, raymond massey, ruth gordon, john cromwell. As one of several sons of the owner of torontos masseyharris agricultural implement company, raymond massey was expected to distinguish himself in business or politics or both indeed, one of raymonds brothers, vincent massey, later became. Fine characterization of lincoln by raymond massey with strong period look and feel. Raymond massey, the canadianborn actor who was abraham lincoln to one generation and televisions dr. Raymond massey s portrayal of lincoln is certainly aided by massey s physique. Lincolns first introduction to politics is amusing. Its a very fine film and well worth watching and yet, it somehow falls just a trifle short of being the great film that it should be.
One such film is abe lincoln in illinois, john cromwells 1940 screen. This is a vintage original linen backed photograph of raymond massey and ruth gordon as abraham lincoln and mary todd lincoln in abe lincoln in illinois 1940. Abe lincoln in illinois is an english movie directed by john cromwell released in the year 1940. Raymond massey gives a moving performance as abe lincoln. The overall casting is superb and the story is exceptional and is well presented. The movie follows abraham lincoln raymond massey from his early days in kentucky up until his election as president. He is quite believable as lincoln, since he does resemble him quite well, which certainly does add to his portrayal. Abe lincoln in illinois is a 1940 biographical film that depicts the life of abraham lincoln from. Audio mp3 of address delivered by raymond massey and gene. Raymond massey, gene lockhart, ruth gordon get this movie we couldnt have a debate list without a cinematic look at what is probably the most famous debate in american history, the 1858 faceoffs between abraham lincoln and incumbent stephen a. Raymond massey plays abe lincoln in this moving adaptation of robert.
Sherwoods play in which massey had starred on broadway. This clip excerpts his response to stephen douglas in the final presidential debate. Oct 15, 2014 raymond massey, abe lincoln in illinois as abraham lincoln as with the third recipient of the best actor academy award, raymond massey too was an actor whose careerdefining work came from playing a famed government leader. In 1831, abraham lincoln raymond massey leaves his family to become a clerk in a store in new salem, illinois where he falls in love with local beauty ann rutledge mary howard, even though she is already engaged. Raymond massey as abe lincoln in illinois excerpt youtube. Abe lincoln in illinois raymond massey gene lockhart ruth gordon 1940 over the space of 30 years, young abraham lincoln raymond massey goes from storekeeper to backwoods lawyer to suitor to president of the united stat. Sherwoods beloved play taking a thoroughly human look at the early years of our 16th president, with all his frailties and strength of character. Unfortunately, lincoln was assassinated shortly after the war ended.
Judge douglas has paid tribute to my skill with the dagger. Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing abe lincoln in illinois near you. There are a number of memorable points in the film. Abe lincoln in illinois trailer turner classic movies. Expanded a bit for cinematic purposes, the film traces lincolns progress from his days of scrambling for a living as a woodsman, to his courtship of the tragic ann rutledge mary howard and then the mercurial mary todd ruth gordon. Abe lincoln in illinois is a 1940 biographical film that depicts the life of abraham lincoln from his departure from kentucky until his election as president of the united states. Abe lincoln in illinois 1940 john cromwell synopsis.
However, masseys portrayal of a passive, reluctant, easily led lincoln is off the mark. Released 1940, abe lincoln in illinois stars raymond massey, gene lockhart, ruth gordon, mary howard the movie has a runtime of about 1 hr 50 min, and received a score of out of 100 on. Raymond massey has the voice and the physical stature, but as an actor he tends toward stiffness where henry fonda is fluid. All items are carefully packaged and mailed within one business day of receipt of payment. But above all, unfortunately, both the movie and masseys portrayal depict lincoln as a stern,depressed, rather forbidding person above right. Raymond massey ruth gordon abe lincoln in illinois. Raymond hart massey august 30, 1896 july 29, 1983 was a canadian actor, known for his commanding, stagetrained voice. Raymond massey was nominated for his one and only academy award for his performance as abraham lincoln in john cromwells nicelooking but much too reverential abe lincoln in illinois 1940, based on robert e.
Raymond masseys portrayal of lincoln is certainly aided by masseys physique. Expanded a bit for cinematic purposes, the film traces lincoln s progress from his days of scrambling for a living as a woodsman, to his courtship of the tragic ann rutledge mary howard and then the mercurial mary todd ruth gordon. Born into one of canadas wealthiest families in 1896, he had a distinguished film and stage career. Based on joseph kesselrings broadway hit, arsenic and old lace 1944. Massey spoke the lines given to abraham lincoln in the staged dramatic reading of stephen vincent benet s john browns body, in which he also spoke john browns lines. Abraham lincoln, debate abe lincoln in illinois, vintage movie 1940. Raymond massey, who starred in movies as abraham lincoln and on television as dr. Sherwoods beloved play taking a thoroughly human look at the early years of our 16th president, with all his frailties and strength of. You get the sense that massey plays lincoln quite well, while fonda is lincoln. Expanded a bit for cinematic purposes, the film traces lincolns. Mary todd ruth gordon is portrayed as a demanding, ambitious, somewhat unstable woman.
Raymond massey, the canadianborn actor who was abraham. Lincoln was a part that character actor raymond massey was born to play. Raymond massey plays abe lincoln in this moving adaptation of robert sherwoods pulitzer prizewinning play. I thank him for that, but i must admit that he can do more with that weapon than i can. As lincoln, the canadian actor assumes a backwoods accent that sounds completely convincing when he describes himself as, a plain common sucker with a shirttail so. Lincoln is portrayed here as a melancholy and complex man, reluctant to accept his destiny. Arsenic and old lace, abe lincoln in illinois, and east of eden. Raymond hart massey august 30, 1896 july 29, 1983 was a canadian actor. Abe lincoln in illinois 1940 in the early 1830s, a youthful abraham lincoln raymond massey departs his home in kentucky to study law and make a name for himself. Jul 31, 1983 raymond massey, who starred in movies as abraham lincoln and on television as dr. The film stars raymond massey and howard da silva, who reprised their roles from the. Raymond massey, abe lincoln in illinois as abraham lincoln as with the third recipient of the best actor academy award, raymond massey too was an actor whose careerdefining work came from playing a famed government leader.
This film is the perfect film recreation of abraham lincoln. Also, the overall tone of fords film is much livelier and more human than is the heavily reverential mood of this movie. Thats the abe lincoln who emerges in abe lincoln of illinois played to perfection by veteran stage actor raymond massey who bears a striking facial resemblance to lincoln. Whenever i think of lincoln films, i think of raymond massey as the one and only lincoln. The issues he addresses are as relevant today as they. The film is reasonably accurate and tends to show lincoln, warts and all something films up until then neglected. Two madefortv movies compete for the prize lincoln 1988, based on gore vidals novel, starts with the questionable historicity of its script and. Raymond massey and muriel kirkland in abe lincoln in. Abe lincoln is a standard 40s biography film about lincolns early life to his success as a passionate politician. This clip excerpts his response to stephen douglas in the final presidential. Offut harlan briggs with abe raymond massey and pals guiding their boat downriver with pigs, a mishap, and the hero meets ann rutledge mary howard, a citizen of new salem, early in abe lincoln in illinois, 1940, from robert e. Abe lincoln in illinois is an entertaining, oldfashioned family film that is tough to dislike.
Arsenic and old lace later this evening, tcm will show three of raymond masseys bestremembered movies. Lincoln s first introduction to politics is amusing. Abe lincoln raymond massey leaves home for the first time, having been hired along with two of his friends by denton offutt harlan briggs to. As one of several sons of the owner of torontos massey harris agricultural implement company, raymond massey was expected to distinguish himself in business or politics or both indeed, one of raymond s brothers, vincent massey, later became. May 18, 2014 raymond massey gives a moving performance as abe lincoln. Abe lincoln in illinois movie poster 27x40 raymond. For additional information please refer to lincolns cooper union address. Abe lincoln in illinois cast and crew cast photos and info. The real lincoln was highly ambitious and much more confident in himself than this movie depicts. Abe lincoln in illinois by john cromwell john cromwell. He is perhaps best remembered for his roles as the comical heavy in arsenic and old lace, the dreamer in things to come, and as president abraham lincoln in abe lincoln in illinois, a role that was written with him in mind and for which he was nominated for an academy award. In the uk, the film is known by the alternate title spirit of the people. Abe lincoln in illinois 1940 lincolndouglas debate. As lincoln, the canadian actor assumes a backwoods accent that sounds completely convincing when he describes himself as, a plain common sucker with a shirttail so short i cant sit on it.
Abe lincoln in illinois biography among the most masterful matchups of actor and role in screen history is this stirring film of robert e. Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing abe lincoln in illinois near. He can keep ten daggers flashing in the air at the same time. Abe lincoln in illinois gives some prominence to the fraught relationship between lincoln and his wife mary todd, above left. Abe lincoln in illinois cast and crew cast photos and. Albeit the film has an excellent performance by raymond massey and shows other aspect of lincolns life before his presidency, i was somewhat chagrined by. Best actor oscar nominee raymond massey who originated the role on. While traveling to new orleans to deliver several pigs he raised with his father, abe meets ann rutledge ruth gordon in the sleepy hamlet of new salem, illinois. For his lead role in abe lincoln in illinois 1940, massey was nominated for the academy award for best actor.
Best actor oscar nominee raymond massey who originated the role on stage wonderfully plays the future great emancipator in a chronicle of his backwoods childhood through his first romance with ann rutledge mary howard to his phenomenal rise to president elect. This movie had raymond massey, gene lockhart, ruth gordon in the lead roles of the film. Nov 01, 2008 abraham lincoln, debate abe lincoln in illinois, vintage movie 1940. Abe lincoln in illinois 1940 stream and watch online.
He is perhaps best remembered for his roles as the comical heavy in arsenic and old lace, the dreamer in things to come, and as president abraham lincoln in abe lincoln in illinois, a role that was written with him in mind and for which he was nominated for an. Abe lincoln raymond massey advances from a storekeeper to president. Raymond massey, who starred in movies as abraham lincoln and on. Abe lincoln in illinois is a very worthy film, with an exceptional performance by raymond massey in the title role. In the film prince of players 1955, massey played junius brutus booth, the father of lincolns assassin, john wilkes booth. Apr 20, 2011 abe lincoln is a standard 40s biography film about lincoln s early life to his success as a passionate politician. Humble abraham lincoln gains the respect of his illinois neighbors, growing in stature and respect until he is elected president in 1860 and departs for washington. Abe returns to the town, starts a business and marries ann before slowly working his way toward. Best actor oscar nominee raymond massey who originated the role on stage wonderfully plays the future great emancipator in a chronicle of his backwoods childhood through his first romance with ann rutledge mary howard to his phenomenal rise to president elect, besting the great orator stephen douglas gene lockhart. Expanded a bit for cinematic purposes, the film traces lincolns progress from his days of scrambling for a living as a woodsman, to his courtship of the tragic ann rutledge mary howard and then the mercurial mary todd ruth gordon, to the formative years of his.