Young American master director John Ford crafts a fictionalized account of ten years in the life of Abraham Lincoln (magnificently portrayed by Henry Fonda), before he became known to the world
Young Mr. Lincoln (1939) starring Henry Fonda, directed by John Ford
I have to admit that I was shocked — in a very good way — by watching Young Mr. Lincoln. I had just watched Abe Lincoln in Illinois a few days prior, and thought that no other Hollywood attempts at telling the story of Abraham Lincoln could compare. I was quite wrong. I’ve been a fan of Henry Fonda for many years, and I would never have thought that he would be able to realistically portray Abraham Lincoln. I was totally wrong — here, a young Henry Fonda portrays a young Abe Lincoln, over a period of roughly 10 years. It ranges from the loss of his first love to his time in the legislature. And it culminates in his first large case — defending two young men in a murder trial.
Murder trial
The movie ties into several of the characters that will become central to Abraham Lincoln’s life, including his future wife, Mary Todd, and his rival, Stephen Douglas. But the central part of Young Mr. Lincoln deals with a murder that happens in Springfield, Illinois, during the Centennial celebration. A fight between two brothers and a drunken bully ends in the bully’s death. Abe Lincoln defuses a lynch mob from killing the two brothers, with a combination of wit, bravado, and strength. An excellent scene that needs to be seen to be appreciated. Likewise, after Abe takes the case of defending the brothers, the courtroom scenes are an excellent combination of Abe Lincoln’s well-known homespun humor, wit, and intelligence. Leading to a surprise ending — that’s been copied many times since.
I strongly recommend Young Mr. Lincoln and rate it 4 stars out of 5.
Movie quotes from Young Mr. Lincoln
[Lincoln and Felder are picking jurors for the trial of Matt and Adam Clay]
Prosecutor John Felder: Mr. Lincoln should know that the mere fact that a prospective juror knows counsel for the state does not disqualify him.
Abe Lincoln (Henry Fonda): I know that, John. What I’m afraid of is that some of the jurors might not know you — and that’d put me at a great disadvantage.
Abe Lincoln (Henry Fonda): [to John Felder] I may not know much of law Mr. Felder, but I know what’s right and what’s wrong. And I know what you’re asking is wrong.
Cross-examination
Abe Lincoln (Henry Fonda): [cross-examining Cass] J. Palmer Cass.
John Palmer Cass: Yes, sir.
Abe Lincoln (Henry Fonda): What’s the “J” stand for?
John Palmer Cass: John.
Abe Lincoln (Henry Fonda): Anyone ever call you Jack?
John Palmer Cass: Yeah, but …
Abe Lincoln (Henry Fonda): Why “J. Palmer Cass?” Why not “John P. Cass?”
John Palmer Cass: Well, I …
Abe Lincoln (Henry Fonda): Does “J. Palmer Cass” have something to hide?
John Palmer Cass: No.
Abe Lincoln (Henry Fonda): Then what do you part your name in the middle for?
John Palmer Cass: I got a right to call myself anything I want as long as it’s my own name!
Abe Lincoln (Henry Fonda): Well then if it’s all the same to you, I’ll call you Jack Cass.
Abe Lincoln (Henry Fonda): [questioning Cass about Scrub’s death] What were you and Scrub arguing about?
John Palmer Cass: I’d rather not say.
Abe Lincoln (Henry Fonda): Oh, you’d rather not say. Well, Jack, I’d rather you did say.
John Palmer Cass: All right. We was arguin’ about politics.
Abe Lincoln (Henry Fonda): Well, that’s something new to argue about.
John Palmer Cass: I’ve learned some since, but I told Scrub I thought you had at least as much political sense in you as Stephen Douglas. Scrub got as mad as a wet hen and said you didn’t!
[last lines]
Efe Turner: Ain’t you goin’ back, Abe?
Abe Lincoln (Henry Fonda): [as the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” begins playing softly in the background] No, I think I might go on a piece … maybe to the top of that hill.
Trivia for Young Mr. Lincoln
- Henry Fonda wore specially made boots that made him appear taller.
- The trial of William “Duff” Armstrong, on which the fictionalized defense of Matt and Adam Clay shown in this movie is based, actually took place in 1858, when Lincoln was a successful railroad attorney and soon to be a nominee for the Senate. The other person accused of murder had been convicted in a separate trial several months earlier.
- Henry Fonda originally turned down the role of Lincoln, saying he didn’t think he could play such a great man. He changed his mind after John Ford asked him to do a screen test in full makeup. After viewing himself as Lincoln in the test footage, Fonda liked what he saw, and accepted the part. He later told an interviewer, “I felt as if I were portraying Christ himself on film.”