Young Mr. Lincoln (1939)

(On Cable TV, September 2022) As a Canadian, the American deification of Abraham Lincoln often leaves me nonplussed. Sure, I get the highlights—iconic appearance, wrestling champion, freed the slaves, fought the Civil War, and was assassinated at the theatre. But it’s films like Young Mr. Lincoln, that plays as a prequel in the ever-expanding Lincoln Cinematic Universe, that have me asking bigger questions than usual. Here, Henry Fonda (impossible to see as anything but Henry Fonda) plays the future president in his young hungry lawyer days as he establishes his practice in small-town Illinois. The film, based on a true story, nonetheless plays as a Matlock episode with the lawyer going for a dramatic courtroom deduction. I may sound flippant, but I actually liked the film, and more than I thought I would. Young Fonda remains a compelling presence, especially when playing smart capable characters. The entire film is directed by John Ford, who could reliably turn some solid entertainment at that stage of his career. And the screenplay (nominated for an Academy Award) is filled with solid bits of business meant to humanize its intimidating lead, with Fonda doing the rest of the aw-shucks persona. I’m told the film takes large liberties with the facts of Lincoln’s life and I can understand why—the result, at least, is quite compelling. Even if you don’t like other Ford films, or can’t quite grasp the holiness of Lincoln. [December 2025: Having done more research into Lincoln, and measured him against other presidents, I get it now.]