Sherwoods play in which massey had starred on broadway. Raymond massey ruth gordon abe lincoln in illinois. Raymond massey and muriel kirkland in abe lincoln in. Abe lincoln in illinois 1940 john cromwell synopsis. In the early 1830s, a youthful abraham lincoln raymond massey departs his home in kentucky to study law and make a name for himself. Expanded a bit for cinematic purposes, the film traces lincoln s progress from his days. Lincoln 1939, starring henry fonda, and abe lincoln in illinois 1940, with raymond massey, are both classics. Raymond massey, who starred in movies as abraham lincoln and on. Unfortunately, lincoln was assassinated shortly after the war ended. 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. Raymond massey s portrayal of lincoln is certainly aided by massey s physique. One such film is abe lincoln in illinois, john cromwells 1940 screen.
Judge douglas has paid tribute to my skill with the dagger. Lincolns first introduction to politics is amusing. He can keep ten daggers flashing in the air at the same time. 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. Raymond massey ruth gordon abe lincoln in illinois original. 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. Lincoln s first introduction to politics is amusing.
However, masseys portrayal of a passive, reluctant, easily led lincoln is off the mark. 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. See more ideas about raymond massey, classic movies and old movies. Abe lincoln in illinois biography among the most masterful matchups of actor and role in screen history is this stirring film of robert e. Apr 20, 2011 abe lincoln is a standard 40s biography film about lincoln s early life to his success as a passionate politician. Gene lockhart, raymond massey, ruth gordon, john cromwell. Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing abe lincoln in illinois near.
You get the sense that massey plays lincoln quite well, while fonda is lincoln. Raymond massey, famous for his portrayal of lincoln the new. Raymond hart massey august 30, 1896 july 29, 1983 was a canadian actor. Arsenic and old lace later this evening, tcm will show three of raymond masseys bestremembered movies. Abe returns to the town, starts a business and marries ann before slowly working his way toward. Abe lincoln in illinois gives some prominence to the fraught relationship between lincoln and his wife mary todd, above left. Raymond massey, the canadianborn actor who was abraham lincoln to one generation and televisions dr. Abe lincoln in illinois movie poster 27x40 raymond. Abe lincoln in illinois movie directed by john cromwell. 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, to the formative years of his law practice, to his. Raymond massey has the voice and the physical stature, but as an actor he tends toward stiffness where henry fonda is fluid. 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.
The real lincoln was highly ambitious and much more confident in himself than this movie depicts. The movie follows abraham lincoln raymond massey from his early days in kentucky up until his election as president. Lincoln is portrayed here as a melancholy and complex man, reluctant to accept his destiny. 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. 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. Abe lincoln in illinois is a very worthy film, with an exceptional performance by raymond massey in the title role.
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. Best actor oscar nominee raymond massey who originated the role on. Abraham lincoln, debate abe lincoln in illinois, vintage movie 1940. This film is the perfect film recreation of abraham lincoln. 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. Abe lincoln in illinois 1940 stream and watch online. Lincoln was a part that character actor raymond massey was born to play. With raymond massey, gene lockhart, ruth gordon, mary howard. 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 lincoln in illinois cast and crew cast photos and. For additional information please refer to lincolns cooper union address. Raymond massey, 86, the courtly and eloquent canadianborn actor who was abraham lincoln to one generation and televisions dr. Raymond massey plays abe lincoln in this moving adaptation of robert.
Raymond massey, noted for lincoln roles washington post. Raymond massey plays abe lincoln in this moving adaptation of robert sherwoods pulitzer prizewinning play. 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 massey, the canadianborn actor who was abraham. Nov 01, 2008 abraham lincoln, debate abe lincoln in illinois, vintage movie 1940. His first appearance was in a stage production in siberia, during its occupation by american forces in 1918. Abe lincoln raymond massey advances from a storekeeper to president. The film is reasonably accurate and tends to show lincoln, warts and all something films up until then neglected. 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. May 18, 2014 raymond massey gives a moving performance as abe lincoln. Raymond hart massey august 30, 1896 july 29, 1983 was a canadian actor, known for his commanding, stagetrained voice. This clip excerpts his response to stephen douglas in the final presidential debate. In the film prince of players 1955, massey played junius brutus booth, the father of lincolns assassin, john wilkes booth.
Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing abe lincoln in illinois near you. Abe lincoln in illinois is an english movie directed by john cromwell released in the year 1940. 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. Abe lincoln is a standard 40s biography film about lincolns early life to his success as a passionate politician. Abe lincoln in illinois cast and crew cast photos and info. 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. Abe lincoln in illinois is an entertaining, oldfashioned family film that is tough to dislike. 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. 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 as abe lincoln in illinois excerpt youtube. Raymond massey, who starred in movies as abraham lincoln and on television as dr. 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. But above all, unfortunately, both the movie and masseys portrayal depict lincoln as a stern,depressed, rather forbidding person above right. 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.
This movie had raymond massey, gene lockhart, ruth gordon in the lead roles of the film. Born into one of canadas wealthiest families in 1896, he had a distinguished film and stage career. 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. For his lead role in abe lincoln in illinois 1940, massey was nominated for the academy award for best actor. It also focuses on lincolns grief over the death of his presumed first love, ann rutledge. Jul 31, 1983 raymond massey, who starred in movies as abraham lincoln and on television as dr. Mary todd ruth gordon is portrayed as a demanding, ambitious, somewhat unstable woman. 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. Sherwoods beloved play taking a thoroughly human look at the early years of our 16th president, with all his frailties and strength of character. Raymond massey gives a moving performance as abe lincoln.
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. He is quite believable as lincoln, since he does resemble him quite well, which certainly does add to his portrayal. There are a number of memorable points in the film. 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. Sherwoods beloved play taking a thoroughly human look at the early years of our 16th president, with all his frailties and strength of. 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. 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. Abe lincoln in illinois is a 1940 biographical film that depicts the life of abraham lincoln from. Fine characterization of lincoln by raymond massey with strong period look and feel.
Abe lincoln in illinois debate scenes from movie history. Audio mp3 of address delivered by raymond massey and gene. Arsenic and old lace, abe lincoln in illinois, and east of eden. The film stars raymond massey and howard da silva, who reprised their roles from the. 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.
The overall casting is superb and the story is exceptional and is well presented. Abe lincoln in illinois 1940 lincolndouglas debate. Abe returns to the town, starts a business and marries ann before slowly. 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.
This clip excerpts his response to stephen douglas in the final presidential. Expanded a bit for cinematic purposes, the film traces lincolns. In the uk, the film is known by the alternate title spirit of the people. I thank him for that, but i must admit that he can do more with that weapon than i can. Also, the overall tone of fords film is much livelier and more human than is the heavily reverential mood of this movie. Whenever i think of lincoln films, i think of raymond massey as the one and only lincoln. All items are carefully packaged and mailed within one business day of receipt of payment. 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. 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 trailer turner classic movies. Raymond masseys portrayal of lincoln is certainly aided by masseys physique. Abe lincoln in illinois by john cromwell john cromwell. 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. Based on joseph kesselrings broadway hit, arsenic and old lace 1944.
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