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Bupp Filmology
Week Twenty-Six

"Abe Lincoln in Illinois" 1940

MOVIE NAME: ABE LINCOLN IN ILLINOIS
STUDIO: RKO
PRODUCER: MAX GORDON
DIRECTOR: JOHN CROMWELL
DATE: 1940
TYPE: BIOGRAPHY
CAST:
RAMOND MASSEY as Abraham Lincoln, GENE LOCKHART as Stephan Douglas, RUTH GORDON as Mary Todd Lincoln , MARY HOWARD as Ann Rutledge , MINOR WATSON as Joshua Speed , SONNY BUPP as Willie Lincoln, HARVEY STEPHENS as Ninian Edwards, ALAN BAXTER as Billy Herndon, HOWARD De SILVA as Jack Armstrong, DOROTHY TREE as Elizabeth Edwards, ALDRICH BOWKER as Judge Bowling Green, MAURICE MURPHY as John McNeil, LOUIS JEAN HEYDT as Mentor Graham, CLEM BEVENS as Ben Mattling

SOURCE:AFI, Catalog of Feature Films 1931-1940
STORY: In 1831, young Abe Lincoln leaves his father's log cabin to make his way in the world. Abe meets Ann Rutledge in New Salem, Illinois, on his way to New Orleans, to deliver a load of pigs. After the delivery, Abe returns to New Salem and enters into business with storekeeper Denton Offut, falls in love with Ann and wins the friendship and respect of the townspeople. Ninian Edwards comes to town to convince Abe to run for State Assembly. Abe excepts, but his challenge is overshadowed by Ann's death. Full of sorrow and lack of ambition, Abe leaves the legislature after one term. His meeting with ambitious Mary Todd, changes the course of Abe's life. Mary's determination drives Abe away, because he realizes entering politics and taking a stand on slavery will tear the Union apart. After a visit to New Salem, Abe returns to marry Mary Todd. Several years later when tensions between the North and South reach a danger point, Abe runs against his old opponent Stephen Douglas. Abe is catapulted into nation consciousness after several electrifying heated debates. Abe excepts his victory and moves to Washington, never to return again.
Note: This film received two Academy Award nominations and was listed as one of the Ten Best films of 1940.

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