Henry Fonda in Period Drama I Young Mr. Lincoln (1939) I Retrospective

A fictionalized account of the early life of the American president as a young lawyer facing his greatest court case.
Film: Young Mr. Lincoln (1939)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Director: John Ford
Writer: Lamar Trotti
Cast: Henry Fonda, Alice Brady, Marjorie Weaver, Arleen Whelan
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Licensed from: Echelon Studios

[@brendano5440]

I have to say Henry Fonda is an Idol. He was born with this gift and they made him look SO MUCH LIKE our President Lincoln it was excellent.

[@timlabell]

Henry Fonda was my uncle and I spent lots of time with him. ❤ he truly was a great actor along with all the greats of his time period.

[@sbk1983]

@@timlabellYour uncle was a true actor and in this movie, he sure played Abe Lincoln great! Hats of the late Henry Fonda! ❤

[@Apoplexy1000]

I have enjoyed this movie since I first saw it. 55 years ago. I will watch it every so often just to remind me what storytelling is.

[@davidgradwell8830]

Henry Fonda's high-pitched voice also approximates the historical Lincoln's voice. The trend at the time was to play Lincoln with a deep, declamatory, solemn voice. Fonda bucked the trend and used his own voice, which happened to be historically accurate!

[@idontlikeit.7822]

Definitely a John Ford movie. Such subtle nuance

[@brendano5440]

The best President Lincoln movie I have ever seen. Great Job.

[@carolswarbrick1722]

The recent film(abt 8 yrs ago) is terrific...my tears and tissues fell upon cinema floor freely for most of film. Appreciated him, we do..

[@jodywho6696]

Look for Raymond Macy movie as Lincoln. You will love it💙💜💚

[@cristineconnell7803]

​@@jodywho6696I thought he did a great job!

[@pumpupjam9648]

One of my favorite Henry Fonda, films.

[@jerciedarkfourth8564]

henry fonda...a pleasure to watch

[@Michael-us5qx]

Henry Fonda is widely remembered for his illustrious career in Hollywood and his public persona as a dedicated actor. However, like many public figures, his personal life was complex, and some aspects have been subject to scrutiny and criticism. Here are a few points that have been raised about his personal behavior: 1. Difficult Relationships With his Children: Henry Fonda's relationship with his children, particularly his daughter Jane Fonda, has been described as distant and challenging. Jane Fonda has spoken publicly about her father's emotional unavailability and the impact it had on her. With Spouses: Henry Fonda was married five times, and some of these marriages were reportedly tumultuous. His fourth wife, Afdera Franchetti, accused him of being emotionally abusive, and his fifth wife, Shirlee Mae Adams, admitted that he could be very cold and distant. 2. Personal Behavior Temper and Coldness: Fonda was known to have a temper and could be very cold and reserved. This temperament affected both his personal and professional relationships. Political Stance: Though not necessarily a "rotten" act, Fonda’s political views sometimes caused controversy. He was a committed liberal and anti-fascist, which put him at odds with certain segments of the American public and industry insiders during the mid-20th century. 3. Infidelity Affairs: There have been rumors and reports of infidelity during his marriages. His busy career and lifestyle contributed to difficulties in maintaining stable relationships. 4. Workaholic Tendencies Neglecting Family: Fonda's dedication to his career often meant that he spent long periods away from his family, contributing to the strained relationships mentioned above.

[@dougmoore5252]

Absolutely one of my favorite films!

[@charles_preston]

Henry Fonda at his very best.

[@billhuber2964]

I love court room dramas. Henry fonda was in his element.

[@johnhenderson131]

Always liked this film. I’d forgotten about it because I haven’t seen it in YEARS!

[@kls22201]

What a great movie! Thank you for sharing it.

[@davidryley4162]

Really good film. Henry Fonda nailed it.

[@mikipiediaelburro7588]

Abraham Lincoln was the very best of us

[@cristineconnell7803]

One of the best Presidents for sure❤ Life long favorite of mine!

[@librarianlovesrick]

@mikipiediaelburro7588 Our greatest American male

[@johnhenderson131]

If I could have dinner with one person from history…it would be Lincoln. A brilliant man and one of my heroes! Without Lincoln, everything the founding fathers accomplished would have been lost. And I’m not even American, I’m Canadian but I can recite the Gettysburg Address…one of the best speeches ever, every single word was perfect, not a word wasted and he wrote it quickly on the outside of an envelope.

[@charles_preston]

Only Donald Trump comes close. #MAGA

[@josesanchez-os7zr]

A film that is practically unknown today and is undoubtedly one of the great films of Ford's pre-war period. In my opinion one of the best films of the entire filmography of the great master John Ford and one of Hank Fonda's best performances.

[@andrewmulligan6844]

This is a masterpiece I’ve only just discovered.

[@douglasthompson9482]

My mother and my entire family are from Illinois. I have an enormous love for Abraham Lincoln. My emotional thoughts are so engraved due to the Land of Lincoln. This movie exemplifies my love of America and Illinois. God Bless America 🇺🇸

[@marycooper8385]

First time viewing this

[@PaulDavis-jb1bx]

As I watch this (for the 1st time, I'm thinking of all the superb performances I've seen Henry Fonda give. He was a superstar in every sense of the word, before the word became fashionable

[@AnnaPace-t5v]

Anybody noticed that Stephen Douglas played Doc on TV's Gunsmoke?

[@brendano5440]

I cannot believe how much he looks like former president Lincoln. They were both great men!!!!

[@Kidraver555]

Yes the makeup hair people did a good job, the big cow lick and the gaunt face.

[@garrysekelli6776]

He is quite a bit shorter. Lincoln was a giant. Especially back then.

[@johntydee6367]

First of all Lincoln was a Republican and Fonda was a Democrat. Fonda was not 'great' and his daughter was a traitor. Speaking of Fonda and Lincoln in the same breath is an obscenity. Fonda was an idiotic liberal who would be quite at home with the woke bigots of today. The fact that anyone could say this in indicative of the stupidity and ignorance of Americans generally which is evident in the rapid decline of that country. Lincoln was 6'4 and a genius. Fonda was just another moron, although he did do a good job in this film, his acting was generally pretty mediocre. No doubt he put more effort in when he was still new at his craft.

[@poetcomic1]

Have you seen Raymond Massey as Lincoln? Uncanny.

[@wiseguymaybe]

Actually, Henry Fonda really didn't want the part because he felt he did not look anything Like Lincoln. Then when the makeup people fixed his nose up he looked in the mirror and said, "Wow, Ithat is Lincoln. "

[@richardnogan4579]

Excellent acting and story line. Abe and Fonda both had a strong presence. Tku for post.

[@Michael-us5qx]

Henry Fonda is widely remembered for his illustrious career in Hollywood and his public persona as a dedicated actor. However, like many public figures, his personal life was complex, and some aspects have been subject to scrutiny and criticism. Here are a few points that have been raised about his personal behavior: 1. Difficult Relationships With his Children: Henry Fonda's relationship with his children, particularly his daughter Jane Fonda, has been described as distant and challenging. Jane Fonda has spoken publicly about her father's emotional unavailability and the impact it had on her. With Spouses: Henry Fonda was married five times, and some of these marriages were reportedly tumultuous. His fourth wife, Afdera Franchetti, accused him of being emotionally abusive, and his fifth wife, Shirlee Mae Adams, admitted that he could be very cold and distant. 2. Personal Behavior Temper and Coldness: Fonda was known to have a temper and could be very cold and reserved. This temperament affected both his personal and professional relationships. Political Stance: Though not necessarily a "rotten" act, Fonda’s political views sometimes caused controversy. He was a committed liberal and anti-fascist, which put him at odds with certain segments of the American public and industry insiders during the mid-20th century. 3. Infidelity Affairs: There have been rumors and reports of infidelity during his marriages. His busy career and lifestyle contributed to difficulties in maintaining stable relationships. 4. Workaholic Tendencies Neglecting Family: Fonda's dedication to his career often meant that he spent long periods away from his family, contributing to the strained relationships mentioned above.

[@poetcomic1]

This was one of the films of the greatest year in Hollywood history -1939. It is hard to believe that THIS FILM WAS A BOMB WHEN IT CAME OUT!

[@judywilkerson8682]

This was an incredibly good movie and Henry Fonda was a perfect Abraham Lincoln.

[@michaelpaulpadillamdacgrou7904]

The Best Portrayal of Lincoln by far !

[@michaelbrourman3194]

This is one of the best John Ford movies ever, and, therefore, one of the best movies of all time. The ending is absolutely superb. The Russian director of “Potemkin” once reportedly said that he would trade his whole career if he could say he directed that ending. I have probably watched it a dozen times, and never get tired of it. Henry Fonda is perfect as Lincoln and John Ford is John Ford.

[@wacobob56dad]

“If it’s all the same to you I’ll just call you Jack Cass”.

[@HeresJohnny-b4u]

FUNNY

[@swamppa7452]

Amazing movie

[@RichardNogan]

Excellent!!! No smoke and mirrors just pure talent in film making and acting. Tku for Post.

[@John-wx3zn]

I am fond of Henry Fonda's depiction of Abraham Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln is a very caring and loving man and that surely makes a difference.

[@MimiZaphiratos]

Superb!

[@jayglithero524]

The Anne Rutledge theme in the film was also used in "Belle Starr" and "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance".

[@johnnorvell6458]

The so-called Anne Rutledge Theme was composed by Alfred Newman and was a Lincoln leitmotif for the composer as he revisited it several times; the last being his score for the film" How the West Was Won" with a cameo appearance of Raymond Massey playing Lincoln for which he was typecast going back to the film "Abe Lincoln In Illinois."

[@brendaszittya3631]

Love this movie❤

[@jodywho6696]

I love this movie and the same for the movie with Raymond Macy as Lincoln💙💜💚

[@GeneRogers-xl9um]

As I remember Raymond Massey did it before on Broadway. Fonda does a remarkable job here as Abraham Lincoln!

[@rb1691]

Yes. "Lincoln In Illinois". And Daniel Day-Lewis' 2012 "Lincoln".

[@Michael-us5qx]

Henry Fonda is widely remembered for his illustrious career in Hollywood and his public persona as a dedicated actor. However, like many public figures, his personal life was complex, and some aspects have been subject to scrutiny and criticism. Here are a few points that have been raised about his personal behavior: 1. Difficult Relationships With his Children: Henry Fonda's relationship with his children, particularly his daughter Jane Fonda, has been described as distant and challenging. Jane Fonda has spoken publicly about her father's emotional unavailability and the impact it had on her. With Spouses: Henry Fonda was married five times, and some of these marriages were reportedly tumultuous. His fourth wife, Afdera Franchetti, accused him of being emotionally abusive, and his fifth wife, Shirlee Mae Adams, admitted that he could be very cold and distant. 2. Personal Behavior Temper and Coldness: Fonda was known to have a temper and could be very cold and reserved. This temperament affected both his personal and professional relationships. Political Stance: Though not necessarily a "rotten" act, Fonda’s political views sometimes caused controversy. He was a committed liberal and anti-fascist, which put him at odds with certain segments of the American public and industry insiders during the mid-20th century. 3. Infidelity Affairs: There have been rumors and reports of infidelity during his marriages. His busy career and lifestyle contributed to difficulties in maintaining stable relationships. 4. Workaholic Tendencies Neglecting Family: Fonda's dedication to his career often meant that he spent long periods away from his family, contributing to the strained relationships mentioned above.

[@mtasubwaymartasubway]

His father could be the blame for Fonda being cold hearted, his father was a piece of garbage, he forced him to watch a lynching.

[@Redgolf2]

Superb film

[@bigsteve6200]

God bless you Mr. Lincoln.

[@EdwardZamarripa-c6l]

An actual actor😊😊 a great watch

[@jackiespencer4694]

Sadly You Tube is breaking into this too much to enjoy it. They have too many adds already them it loads every 2 minutes ! You Tube is getting slower and slower. 😢

[@donnakalish4880]

I just watched "On Golden Pond". Fonda had quite an illustrious career!

[@lysmykyta1199]

On Golden Pond was Henry Fonda's last film! It is one of my favorite movies!

[@randallhutchcraft5518]

Good show. 😊

[@johnhenderson131]

23:39 As if Lincoln could lose a rail splitting contest….! He was a deceptively strong man and a powerful wrestler, which some found out the hard way, fortunately he had the intelligence to temper his strength with compassion.

[@narvelancoleman8597]

This was/is my first favorite movie by Henry Fonda; with 'Grapes of Wrath,' being my second!👏👏👏👍👍👍

[@jayonnaj18]

I bought the GRAPES OF WRATH on DVD several years ago, and I absolutely love that movie!

[@ge0rgeharris218]

None of this could have happend without the great John Ford!

[@skyeslaton3435]

Really good movie

[@2_thumbs_up_baby]

Good quality. 🍿🍿🍿½/5

[@jayonnaj18]

Henry Fonda was so handsome as Abe Lincoln!

[@Hayrange]

Funny you say that. Not saying Abe wasn't handsome, but he was certainly considered odd looking in his time and even joked about it himself... He joked that when he walked down the street, a woman said to him "Sir, you are the ugliest man I have ever seen" to which he replied "that may be so, but I can't help that!" and then she responds "I know, but you could stay home!" He was also called "two-faced" in one of his political debates, in which he replied "If I were two faced, why on earth do you think I would have chose to wear this one?" A great comic he was.

[@jayonnaj18]

@@Hayrange Henry Fonda was handsome, and even the makeup he wore to make him look like Abe Lincoln couldn't hide that fact, LOL!

[@Hayrange]

@@jayonnaj18 Yes, I get you think Henry Fonda was handsome...

[@LJ-ht4zs]

Actually Hank Fonda as a young man was extraordinarily handsome man. However, with the false nose he took on a somewhat homely look - which would have added to a proper physical depiction of Abe Lincoln.

[@stevehartman1730]

The first song Lincoln requested after the war was Dixie.0

[@mariakel5319]

Quelle fin! Vive le Président!❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@ActiveSufi]

Its not for me but i bet some indian guy loves it

[@brendaszittya3631]

❤❤❤

[@mariakel5319]

Même si l’Histoire n’est pas exacte, c’est un bon film❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@KellyNewman-z5r]

what..????👎👎👎

[@mariakel5319]

@@KellyNewman-z5r Ford a mélangé plusieurs procès dont celui à la lune.

[@MichaelWittrock-kr9gy]

Wished we could get modern politicians to be that honest!! His soul lives forever!! God be praised.!!

[@weezieshang]

what‘s the music at 25:57

[@vinman5432]

@1:12:00 Abe's humor never gets old.

[@davidbowen2175]

A gret movie about a great man, abe limcoln, son of nancy Hanks, a train I rode with my siblings to Macon to visit my maternal grandmother & my mamas siblings.Rhoda Bowen

[@Kidraver555]

Looks like he is having trouble walking on stilts a lot of the time.

[@myronbledsoe44]

Wow! Damn those people were good at condemning people going by heresay and their emotions.. Much hasn't changed since those days.. So sad.. And people swear up and down that they are made in the image of a God...The true God wouldn't condone all the bullcrap people on earth do to each other..

[@gervazejoseph9586]

As of this date, May 2023, this film 'Young Mr. Lincoln' was produced 81 years ago. We had the still-photography and daguerreotypes of the 19th Century, yes, but we proved still relegated to fancies of others takes on what seemed or appeared to be. Comes now the arts and sciences of the 20th Century, that of the motion picture. 'Fascinating that it proved the first point in the long skein of time to which one could look back and fancy how the many forms and expressions and the peoples who lived back then viewed life and nature, seeing firsthand exactly the way life used to be without having to speculate, equivocate, ay for which the truth would no longer be constrained to the fitness and limits of others' interpretations and points of view. Rather, we could now see life and living and Nature not as someone believed but as it existed, indeed. Ay we now had for the first time in ages a manifest exhibit on the Akashic Records.

[@Texasjim2007]

It needs to be pointed out that film recreations of historical events are not essentially different from any other theatrical production. Rather than literally seeing events unfold in nature as they happened what we are actually seeing is merely how the particular playwright or film maker imagined the events happened. That's why we have so many very different films about the same historical events. It wasn't until the 20th century we were able to actually make film records of historical events as they happened, and even there we are merely seeing one particular camera man's personal view of it which may leave out a lot of significant facts outside the immediate range of the camera.

[@DaniEles-rc7ij]

High protective TARIFFS !

[@MrCheezeWhiz]

0/10 where’s the colour

[@captainnima]

The great man who saved a super power and made it better.

[@servraghgiorsal7382]

The Only part that was dated was him pkaying c Dixie. TOTALLY historically inaccurate . Otherwise, Fonda in one of his best

[@philiphall8497]

no cap that young mister Lincoln was the CEO of rizz clout he got had Mary Todd simpin' highkey plus that fit made him automatically the main character which is why he had all them ops

[@gatsby66]

This comment makes absolutely no sense.

[@markprice1922]

WE ARE THE RAIL SLITTERS AND AINT NO BODY MESSING WITH US ILLINOIS 😅

[@pedroperez-sj7fb]

John Ford

[@pumpupjam9648]

Henry Fonda, early films like this one really shows his acting skills. But I don't worship the man.

[@ramonmercado6085]

Put perry mason films. Thans.

[@jamerv86]

Extras had a gift for over acting or they were told to act extremely stupid in those days.

[@brendaszittya3631]

❤

[@schroedingersdog7965]

As others have noted, the trial scene isn't quite accurate to history. Lincoln was, indeed, the defense counsel for a man accused of killing (with a knife) another man at an Illinois county fair. Also, the eyewitness claimed that he saw the act with the aid of "bright moonlight". However, at the time and date of the murder, the moon had *not* set, and the moon's phase was gibbous (between first quarter and full). The actual entry in the Farmer's Almanac for the date was "Moon runs low", meaning that the moon appeared low in the sky for the entire time it was above the horizon. Lincoln pointed this out to the jury, along with the fact that the murder scene was surrounded by trees which *might* have blocked the moonlight. This created doubt in the minds of the jurors that the eyewitness could have actually seen clearly enough to identify the murderer. (Eyewitness accounts are notoriously subjective, which is why law enforcement always tries to obtain physical evidence.) As a result, the accused was acquitted. Not quite as dramatic a turn of events as depicted in the movie, but the movie version is certainly much easier for the audience to comprehend! (This information was obtained from an article which appeared a few years ago in "Sky And Telescope" magazine - a science magazine directed toward amateur astronomers.)

[@andrewmulligan6844]

Two fine Americans

[@lofatmat]

So many greats from the hall of fame like many so deserved!

[@TONYGEYER-u5y]

I reckon that no puppy head who viewed this film ever understood it or liked it

[@narvelancoleman8597]

What??

[@ArmndoContardi]

Great president 1:24

[@joefitzgerald1815]

Thanks 🙏

[@rongendron8705]

I always thought that actor Gary Cooper should have played "Young Lincoln", instead of Henry Fonda! He was the actual height & lanky, like Lincoln & with a dark wig & a false nose, as Fonda had, would have been just as believable! Great film,though!

[@Faisal.4]

قفطه من فيلم The edge pf seventeen.😚

[@teresafichera9282]

in italiano mi piacerebbe grazie

[@0Time0Stop0]

Walter Huston was the closest to looking like Lincoln.

[@angelagabathuler9199]

😂❤❤❤❤❤❤😊😅

[@DimitrisMita]

Do you know the answer? The UK has sunk several Russian ships by using Ukraine. QUESTION: There are UK military ships in the Red Sea. Why does not Russia sink them by using the Houthis?

[@susanfaulkner2304]

What has this got to do with this movie?!

[@MrCheezeWhiz]

worst movie ever

[@infonut]

TERRIBLE script. Made for an ignorant audience. The common folk were portrayed as drunken toddlers. ("Tell us a story, Abe.") Studio propaganda trying to please too many with too little. Most of which is fiction.

[@peterfraser9070]

Seeing the gay piano player in this movie reminded me of how Lincoln himself was gay; everyone said he preferred men over women.

[@gatsby66]

Source?

[@peterfraser9070]

@@gatsby66 Well, if you see the movie, that piano player gives off a serious gay vibe, gf.

[@peterfraser9070]

@@johnbailey5304 That wasn't the tiniest bit of an insult to you, you ninny.

[@thomashartman4270]

I don't think people should be glorifying this movie. It was an innaccurate sloppy piece of work made to appeal to the lowest common denominator. The courtroom scenes alone are at best garbage comedy.

[@mikipiediaelburro7588]

Bah humbug

[@pelly8830]

You are too kind! "Honest Abe" was possibly the most destructive of all our presidents.

[@plr6045]

I mean it's a fictionalised story about him so yeah ofc it's an inaccurate 😭

[@coloradocowboy3073]

1939...classic Hollywood movies!