Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1940): Cast & Plot
Abe Lincoln in Illinois is a 1940 historical drama starring Elisabeth Risdon as Sarah Lincoln, Sonny Bupp and Edwin Mills. It runs 1 hour 50 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 50m (110 min)
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- RKO Radio Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Abe Lincoln in Illinois About?
The premise of Abe Lincoln in Illinois without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
The 1940 biographical drama chronicles Abraham Lincoln’s early life, tracing his departure from Kentucky to his settlement in Illinois, his self‑education, marriage, law practice and entry into politics, and ending with his election as President of the United States, offering a vivid portrait of his character and ambition.
Abe Lincoln in Illinois Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- u.s. politician
- american politics
- american politician
- year 1861
- washington d.c.
- place in title
- screenplay adapted by author
- tea cup
- raft
- smoking tobacco
- political corruption
- political candidate
+38 more Show fewer
- fiance fiancee relationship
- band the musical group
- bearded man
- reference to california
- child
- american civil war
- colony
- rural setting
- reference to the declaration of independence
- woman faints
- reference to the founding fathers
- doom
- u.s. government
- reference to harvard university
- honesty
- reference to kentucky
- labor strike
- making a fool of someone in public
- reference to the mason dixon line
- mentor protege relationship
- morality
- reference to england as the motherland
- neighbor neighbor relationship
- reference to new orleans louisiana
- reference to new york state
- captain the military rank
- quote from shakespeare's julius caesar
- raising a milita
- reference to missouri
- reluctance
- reference to secession from the union
- reference to south carolina
- reference to the union army
- reference to the u.s. supreme court
- victory
- voting
- horse and wagon
- actor recreates his stage role
Abe Lincoln in Illinois Cast & Characters
Elisabeth Risdon leads the cast as Sarah Lincoln, with Sonny Bupp as Willie Lincoln (uncredited) and Edwin Mills as Robert Lincoln (uncredited).
- Elisabeth Risdon as Sarah Lincoln
- Sonny Bupp as Willie Lincoln (uncredited)
- Edwin Mills as Robert Lincoln (uncredited)
- Raymond Massey as Abe Lincoln
Also Starring in Abe Lincoln in Illinois
· 73 more- Ruth Gordon Mary Todd Lincoln
- Harlan Briggs Denton Offut
- Leona Roberts Mrs. Rutledge
- Mary Howard Ann Rutledge
- Louis Jean Heydt Mentor Graham
- Dorothy Tree Elizabeth Edwards
- Harvey Stephens Ninian Edwards
- Gene Lockhart Stephen Douglas
- Selmer Jackson Aide to Stephen Douglas (uncredited)
- George Irving Colonel Robert E. Lee (uncredited)
- Ian Wolfe Horace Greeley (uncredited)
- Paul Guilfoyle Minor Role (uncredited)
- Trevor Bardette John Hanks
- Byron Foulger Politician (uncredited)
- George Chandler Minor Role (uncredited)
- Milton Kibbee Abe's Friend (uncredited)
Show all 77 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Emory Parnell Minor Role (uncredited)
- Charles Middleton Tom Lincoln
- Dell Henderson Minor Role (uncredited)
- Dick Elliott Politician (uncredited)
- Syd Saylor John Johnston
- Erville Alderson Stonewall Jackson (uncredited)
- Ed Brady Raft Steerer (uncredited)
- Minor Watson Joshua Speed
- Fern Emmett Minor Role (uncredited)
- Clem Bevans Ben Mattling
- Victor Kilian Minor Role (uncredited)
- Andy Clyde Stage Driver
- Guy Usher Douglas's Crony (uncredited)
- Alec Craig Trum Cogdall
- Esther Dale Lincoln's Cook (uncredited)
- Wallis Clark Politician (uncredited)
- Noble 'Kid' Chissell Minor Role (uncredited)
- George Guhl Greeley's Secretary (uncredited)
- Cecil Cunningham Undetermined Supporting Role (uncredited)
- Ted Billings Onlooker at Debate (uncredited)
- Robert Middlemass Minor Role (uncredited)
- Edward Van Sloan Dr. Barrett (uncredited)
- William Worthington Minor Role (uncredited)
- Edward Fielding Minor Role (uncredited)
- John St. Polis Minor Role (uncredited)
- Jesse Graves Onlooker at Debate (uncredited)
- Howard Da Silva Jack Armstrong
- Bryant Washburn Minor Role (uncredited)
- John Cromwell John Brown (uncredited)
- Dorothea Wolbert Woman in Store (uncredited)
- Robert Elliott Minor Role (uncredited)
- Paul Everton Minor Role (uncredited)
- Fay Helm Mrs. Seth Gale (uncredited)
- Alan Baxter Billy Herndon
- Lorin Raker Minor Role (uncredited)
- Kathryn Sheldon Minor Role (uncredited)
- Roger Imhof Mr. Crimmin
- Herbert Rudley Seth Gale
- Landers Stevens Minor Role (uncredited)
- George Rosener Dr. Chandler
- Maurice Murphy John McNeil
- Tom Chatterton Minor Role (uncredited)
- Florence Roberts Mrs. Bowling Green
- Gus Glassmire Minor Role (uncredited)
- William Royle Minor Role (uncredited)
- Peggy Ann Garner Little Girl (uncredited)
- Aldrich Bowker Judge Bowling Green
- Henry Blair Tad Lincoln (uncredited)
- Napoleon Simpson Gobey (uncredited)
- Adda Gleason Maid (uncredited)
- Dan Clark Minor Role (uncredited)
- Edmund Elton Mr. Rutledge
- Jane Corcoran Woman on Street (uncredited)
- C. Hayes Minor Role (uncredited)
- Harry Humphries Daniel Webster (uncredited)
- Kathleen Proctor Woman on Street (uncredited)
- Florence Rutledge Minor Role (uncredited)
Abe Lincoln in Illinois Plot Summary
What happens in Abe Lincoln in Illinois from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Abraham Lincoln, Raymond Massey, leaves home for the first time when he’s hired along with two friends by Denton Offutt to haul a load of pigs by water to New Orleans. The journey starts as a practical job, but trouble arises when the boat stalls at a dam near the settlement of New Salem, and Lincoln’s heart is drawn to Ann Rutledge, Mary Howard, the tavern keeper’s daughter. This sudden romance becomes the compass of his early years, even as he takes up a position at Offutt’s store in New Salem and begins to navigate a world that values wit, nerve, and the chance to rise.
Full summary
The whole story of Abe Lincoln in Illinois, scene by scene
Abe Lincoln in Illinois Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Abe Lincoln in Illinois.
How Well Do You Know Abe Lincoln in Illinois?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
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- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrayed Abraham Lincoln in the film?
Abe Lincoln in Illinois Also Known As
7 alternative titles, including “Abramo Lincoln in Illinois” and “Abraham Lincoln”.
- Also known as
-
- Abramo Lincoln in Illinois
- Abraham Lincoln
- Abramo Lincoln
- O Libertador
- 伊利诺斯州的林肯
- Abe Lincoln a Illinois
- Линкольн в Иллинойсе
Seen Abe Lincoln in Illinois?
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Abe Lincoln in Illinois FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, cast and post-credit scenes of Abe Lincoln in Illinois, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Abe Lincoln in Illinois?
Abe Lincoln in Illinois runs 1 hour 50 minutes (110 minutes).
When was Abe Lincoln in Illinois released?
Abe Lincoln in Illinois was released on January 22, 1940.
Who is in the cast of Abe Lincoln in Illinois?
Abe Lincoln in Illinois stars Elisabeth Risdon as Sarah Lincoln, Sonny Bupp as Willie Lincoln (uncredited) and Edwin Mills as Robert Lincoln (uncredited), among 77 credited actors.
Does Abe Lincoln in Illinois have a post-credit scene?
No. Abe Lincoln in Illinois has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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