Lincoln in the White House

It's Abraham Lincoln's presidency from his inauguration to the Gettysburg Address. It is a short from Warner Brothers and I must assume that this is a part of their war effort. It's part educational and part propaganda preparation for the coming war. I can see them trying to translate some of the dialogue for modern purposes. That's why they ended it at the Gettysburg Address and not with his assassination. The patriotism is dripping off the screen. It is the nobility of America and the struggle for freedom and the call for unity. The acting and the writing is stiffly sincere. One must see the purpose underneath it all.

After much thought I have come to the conclusion that the target audience for this 20 minute film about our 16th president is a mentally challenged, easily bored sixth grader.

Lincoln in the White House (1939)

*** (out of 4)

Technicolor short showing Abraham Lincoln (Frank McGlynn, Sr.) taking office and leading up to his Gettysburg Address. This film runs just twenty-minutes so it doesn't have time to go into great detail but I thought it did a pretty good job and I'm sure those unfamiliar with these events would find this very entertaining. The Technicolor really adds a lot to the film and makes it stand out compared to other films and shorts from this era that took a look at the President. McGlynn seems to split opinions on his performance but I enjoyed it for the most part. I think he has some very awkward moments but I found most to these to be in his movements. The first time we see Lincoln and several scenes afterwards it appears the actor is walking around so stiff that the character had suffered a stroke. Dickie Moore does a nice job as Lincoln's son. Character actor John Harron co-stars.

Frank McGlynn Sr appears as Abraham Lincoln for the umpteenth time, covering the period from his inauguration through his death. Like many of Warner Brothers' historical shorts in this period, it's a dress affair, an example of potted history covering well-known anecdotes, and a bit stiff and dull for all that.

More than that, the print that plays occasionally on Turner Classic movies is not up to that studio's standard of excellence for Technicolor in that era. It seems to have been put through a sepia wash to give it an antique look, which leaves it looking ugly.

First of all, FRANK McGLYNN is not the best choice to play the lanky president who gave the Gettysburg Address after the Civil War changed American politics forever.

He's excessively hammy, especially when speech-making, and bears only a slight resemblance to Honest Abe.

NANA BRYANT as Mrs. Lincoln is much too sensible and natural looking for the role. However, DICKIE MOORE is effective as Tad, the ill-fated youngest son who is gravely ill when Lincoln leaves his Washington, D.C. residence to deliver the Gettysburg Address, against his wife's wishes.

All of the usual facts are stated briefly so that it's really a very compressed look at American history, but probably suitable for young viewers who are just learning about the period.

Words like "strong union," "keep the flag flying," "freedom to slaves," "footsteps in the snow at Valley Forge," etc., give the documentary some talking points that are only able to hint at the overall facts.

Might have been more commanding with a better actor as Lincoln, it seems rather ordinary in its treatment of subject matter.