Lincoln Discussion Symposium

They can't lie in movies.

Wow, no wonder young Lincoln was smitten!

Great picture Roger. And I'd always imagined Ann with long wavy dark brown hair wearing a calico dress.
But if its in the movie, it's gotta be true

(08-04-2012 04:09 PM)Thomas Thorne Wrote: [ -> ]I am frankly surprised at the hostility toward Henry Fonda's portrayal of AL in Young Mr. Lincoln." This is widely regarded by film buffs,most of whom know little about Lincoln,as the best film about Lincoln. Of course the requirements of film drama often clash violently with actual history.

I think Fonda wonderfully captured Llincoln's unique combination of melancholy and humor. While Fonda seemed cognitively challenged to one critic, this reminded me of David Herbert Donald telling us how Lincoln ruminated slowly and deeply upon problems until he came up with a solution.

John Ford,who directed "Young Mr. Lincoln" made up many tall tales about his life and work. One involved a contemplated scene in "YML' in which Lincoln walked past a Springfield theatre which had a poster advertising a performance by John Wilkes Booth

Tom

Cool story Tom. Of course Booth never played in Springfield. In fact his only acting in Illinois occurred in Chicago during 1862.

(03-24-2019 08:42 AM)LincolnMan Wrote: [ -> ]

(08-04-2012 04:09 PM)Thomas Thorne Wrote: [ -> ]John Ford,who directed "Young Mr. Lincoln" made up many tall tales about his life and work. One involved a contemplated scene in "YML' in which Lincoln walked past a Springfield theatre which had a poster advertising a performance by John Wilkes Booth

Cool story Tom. Of course Booth never played in Springfield. In fact his only acting in Illinois occurred in Chicago during 1862.

Booth performed in Chicago three different times in 1862 (January 20 - Febuary 1, June 2 - 21, and December 1 - 20) and then returned for a fourth engagement there in 1863 (May 18 - June 6). His performances at McVicker’s Theatre were very popular and he received much acclaim.

(03-24-2019 02:06 PM)Dave Taylor Wrote: [ -> ]

(03-24-2019 08:42 AM)LincolnMan Wrote: [ -> ]

(08-04-2012 04:09 PM)Thomas Thorne Wrote: [ -> ]John Ford,who directed "Young Mr. Lincoln" made up many tall tales about his life and work. One involved a contemplated scene in "YML' in which Lincoln walked past a Springfield theatre which had a poster advertising a performance by John Wilkes Booth

Cool story Tom. Of course Booth never played in Springfield. In fact his only acting in Illinois occurred in Chicago during 1862.

Booth performed in Chicago three different times in 1862 (January 20 - Febuary 1, June 2 - 21, and December 1 - 20) and then returned for a fourth engagement there in 1863 (May 18 - June 6). His performances at McVicker’s Theatre were very popular and he received much acclaim.

Thanks Dave- I missed Booth’s 1863 engagement.

Was there ever a Lincoln movie that focused on his boyhood years?

Bill,

The only one I am familiar with was this from 2014 called "The Better Angels." To be honest, I wasn't very impressed with it.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2316868/

Best
Rob

Bill, Rob did a great job of writing a detailed review of the movie here.

Wikipedia indicates that the film received mixed reviews.

Thanks for finding that, Roger. You saved me a lot of time.

Best
Rob

No problem, Rob. Also, kudos on your Lafayette Foster article in the Surratt Courier.

Thank you Roger. It turned out longer than I anticipated, but I kept finding so much interesting things that I had to include. I hope it presents a clearer picture of who Foster was, and what might have happened if he assumed the presidency.

Best
Rob

Well, I never heard of that film. Thanks for the heads up. I think Lincoln’s boyhood up to his arrival in New Salem would make a great movie. It could even begin with his ancestors traveling into Kentucky. So much story to tell!