Marking the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln this past week,brought to mind some of the actors who have portrayed the great
president over the years. I would venture to say that everyone's
favorite is most likely Henry Fonda in John Ford's 1939 Young
Mr. Lincoln. Fonda does a wonderful job as the shy, contemplative
and clever young Lincoln.
Then there's Raymond Massey, in Abe Lincoln in Illinois. There wasa great public outcry when this Canadian was chosen to play the great
American president, but scored high reviews on Broadway and later
in 1940 for the film version of Robert E. Sherwood's play. I don't
know about you, but Massey has a scary quality about him and I just
can't shake the image of Johnathan Brewster in Arsenic and Old Lace.
And talking about scary qualities, John Carradine also played Lincolnin the 1938 film Of Human Hearts. I guess you could say that he has
that Lincolnesque thing going on, but I always see him more as
Dracula. A blood sucking Lincoln just isn't right.
Did you hear that Steven Speilberg is working on a new film titledLincoln coming out in 2011, starring Liam Neeson as Abraham
Lincoln? I adore Neeson and I'm sure he will be fabulous in the
role, but my first choice would have been the magnificent Daniel
Day-Lewis. He most definitely has that "Lincoln thing" and I'm
convinced, after seeing him hauntingly take on the person of the
roles he has portrayed in other films, he would become Lincoln.
I've never been the first one to post a comment and if I don't do it quickly I'll end up second.
ReplyDeleteYes, I second Dan Day Lewis
Hello Willow,
ReplyDeleteI was thinking similar to FF but let's see how many get in before my "second" place!
Great actors all but I think I agree with you about Lewis versus Neeson.
Most interesting... I agree. Henry Fonda did a wonderful job as a young Lincoln. He personified the image most of us have of the man.
ReplyDeleteI remember walking through Lincoln's home in Springfield and thinking that the floor I was walking on was the same one he and his family had walked ... it was a bit overpowering in a way. But I have always been a huge fan of Lincoln.
When I was in Washington, D.C., I saw a play at Ford's Theater and looking over at the famous box seat with the draped flag was moving.
In reality, Lincoln has been described as a very awkward looking and unattractive man with a high pitched voice. But those same people portrayed him as a very kind and jovial person telling stories -- though, of course, he suffered from serious depression, too (and for good reason given so many of the things he dealt with in his life).
I think Lincoln was, in reality, an extremely smart and shrewd man who used a country charm to obtain many advantages in life. And I think he had strong moral values which carried through his life.
He was not a religious man, per se, but was extremely knowledgable of the bible and many philosophies. He was able to understand some very complex ideas and had good command of language.
I am rambling but I certanly enjoyed this post! Take care.
Most interesting... I agree. Henry Fonda did a wonderful job as a young Lincoln. He personified the image most of us have of the man.
ReplyDeleteI remember walking through Lincoln's home in Springfield and thinking that the floor I was walking on was the same one he and his family had walked ... it was a bit overpowering in a way. But I have always been a huge fan of Lincoln.
When I was in Washington, D.C., I saw a play at Ford's Theater and looking over at the famous box seat with the draped flag was moving.
In reality, Lincoln has been described as a very awkward looking and unattractive man with a high pitched voice. But those same people portrayed him as a very kind and jovial person telling stories -- though, of course, he suffered from serious depression, too (and for good reason given so many of the things he dealt with in his life).
I think Lincoln was, in reality, an extremely smart and shrewd man who used a country charm to obtain many advantages in life. And I think he had strong moral values which carried through his life.
He was not a religious man, per se, but was extremely knowledgable of the bible and many philosophies. He was able to understand some very complex ideas and had good command of language.
I am rambling but I certanly enjoyed this post! Take care.
Like you, I think Neeson is a very fine actor, but I agree; I don't think he has that "Lincoln" look about him. Day-Lewis would be ideal and I'm certain he would put his heart and soul into the role.
ReplyDeleteYou've mentioned one of my all-time favourite films, Willow - "Arsenic and Old Lace". You are so right about Massey - it's pretty hard to think of him in another light after that role as the killer. (Peter Lorre is wonderful in that too!)
I think Jude Law's bone structure might lend well to the Lincoln part. I wonder if he was considered for the role. Of course it would depend on what stage of his life they are depicting.
Kat
Lincoln seems like a tough role to pull off! I'd imagine him to be a mixture of rustic charm and political austerity--brilliant post.
ReplyDeleteI love Liam too but Daniel Day has that "deep brooding" look that Lincoln has in his photo's. I look forward to the SS film.
ReplyDeleteI love Daniel Day Lewis. It never fails that he really "is" the character that he portrays. A fascinating quality in a person.
ReplyDeleteI would like to say that I visit your blog very often, but this is my first comment. You have the proclivity of pairing the right words and pictures. I do enjoy it very much.
I love Liam, too....but Lincoln. No.
ReplyDeleteDDL is a much better choice.
I agree. DDL all the way, although I love Liam too.
ReplyDeleteYes, yes Daniel-Day Lewis!! My absolute favorite! I'd watch him in anything. He is SUPERB.
ReplyDeleteCatherine
Hi Willow,
ReplyDeleteHenry Fonda could do any role. A favourite of mine is Mr. Roberts.
I agree about Massey's scary quality. From what I've read in the old issues of Variety from that time; yeah, lots o' flack from the purists. But Hollywood does what it does.
I always found Carradine a little eerie. But maybe that's just me.
I hadn't heard of the new Spielberg movie but Liam Neeson? Why not Lee Horsley? Tom Selleck? Heck, even Jeremy Irons? But I digress.
I think your observation about Massey & "Arsenic & Old Lace" is true (& funny)
ReplyDeleteMy Sunday morning has been considerably enhanced with thoughts of Neeson and Day-Lewis - two of my favourite actors... and not bad on the eyes either, heh-heh! :-)
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right about the past Lincolns..John Carradine..my word, and Massey in the hysterical Arsenic and....
ReplyDeleteHenry Fonda and Daniel Day have the eyes!
OH I completely am with you about Daniel Day Lewis being more right for the role -- nothing against LN! He not only looks it, I think he could bring a depth and quality to it like no other. And your're right, My fave so far has been Henry Fonda. Mindreader!
ReplyDeleteLike the idea for the post. And am loving the drawing at the top of your page. Would you mind if I ask who did it?
OK Willo w- jsut read your mere 16 comments so far and I think this needs to get sent as a petition to Spielberg's office!
ReplyDeleteI think Neeson will make a WONDERFUL Lincoln!
ReplyDeletehad no idea so much abeness had been done, but my movie knowledge is on a level with flea - love your vintage book! what a gift!
ReplyDeleteOh, but Liam Neeson as Lincoln? O-o-o-o-h. Swooning here.
ReplyDeleteAnother vote for DDL.....besides, you shouldn't see lincoln as a pretty boy! ; (
ReplyDeletei would vote for day-lewis as lincoln over neeson as well. but if voting on which one makes the heart swoon and the knees weak, i'd have to pick liam. be still my heart! hee hee
ReplyDeleteI agree that Daniel DL's facial structure seems very much more like Lincoln's that Liam's.
ReplyDeleteWow ... I don't think I've seen any of those Lincoln movies. I love our presidents though, specially because their holiday falls on Monday and that gives me a 3 day weekend!!! YAY!
ReplyDeleteYou forgot automatronic Abe at Disneyland.
ReplyDeleteWell, I certainly agree with you about Daniel Day-Lewis, but I'm perfectly willing to watch Liam Neeson give it a go. He's great, too!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely poor choice with Carradine. Good grief.
YES--Daniel Day Lewis would be perfect. I'm laughing at your "blood-sucking Lincoln." Hmmmm...I admit I am a big Liam Neeson fan, and I can see him being a good Lincoln, but his accent may get in the way for me there. That'll be interesting. Maybe you should go into movie casting, Willow. There's a woman with my name who I often see in the movie credits who does casting--(Suzanne Smith.) But you'd be a natural. Hey--you could have a "Willow Manor West" in the Hollywood hills somewhere, you know. It could happen.
ReplyDeleteYou know I think you are correct about Daniel Day Lewis. I too have read & heard him in interviews where he talks about "becoming" the character. I love Liam Neeson and will bet he'll do a great job. Should be an interesting movie of Speilberg's.
ReplyDeleteYes! Daniel Day Lewis would have been the perfect Lincoln....
ReplyDeleteIt's been a long time, but yes, Henry Fonda played Lincoln well. Lincoln was intelligent, humorous, compassionate, and a spiritual man, and probably our greatest president, and his legacy still touches us.
ReplyDeleteI heartily agree, Willow. Daniel Day Lewis would make a magnificent Lincoln. Actually Lewis could probably play Mickey Mouse and make it seem like Shakespeare.
ReplyDeleteBut Liam has the edge in height!
I like Lewis, too. He can do that haunted, gaunt Lincoln look!
ReplyDeleteReading "Liam Neeson" and thinking "I adore him" were one, so I smiled when I read on.
ReplyDeleteMassey is somewhat off putting. Gorgeous book you won from Charmaine!
ReplyDeleteyes, to daniel day lewis although Liam would be a close second.
ReplyDeleteXx
wow, it's just nice to share the planet with liam neeson and daniel day lewis. the spielberg film will definitely be intriguing!
ReplyDeleteThere have been a host of people who have played Lincoln and got away with it -- so to speak. There are photos that I have in my collection of Lincoln of people who claim it is Mr. Lincoln in the photograph and in time all of those were debunked. It is hard to play Lincoln because he had all sorts of things from his elongated frame to a voice that a movie star would have problems with. Anyway, I watch when I can and they are on local television but I wouldn't pay to see them on the big sceen.
ReplyDeleteLIncoln is my soul brother in one sense, in that his birthday falls the day before mine. I've read SO many bio's - and there are hundreds more I haven't read.
ReplyDeleteSaturnian, plain, complex. He was a mysterious, important, amazing figure in American history. All those actors put together can only begin to capture a bit of who the man was. I salute them all!
Except STeven Spielberg whose films I have never appreciated. I kind of dread the idea of him making a movie about my beloved Abe. Weird.
Interesting. It's also Charles Darwin's 200th birthday this past week.
ReplyDeletethanks for dropping in on the mouse and leaving a comment! love coming over to willow manor - a most beautiful place to visit.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your about me blurb...you said you are a "fellow buckeye", do you live in ohio, or a native living elsewhere .... we moved to cleveland almost 12 yrs ago but i don't think i ever thought of myself as a 'buckeye' - hmmm, something to think about - ironically we moved here from connecticut and people from ct are called 'nutmeggers' - gosh from one nutty place to another!
enjoyable post....I hope we can experience ddl BE lincoln - he is by far one of most gifted actors of our lifetime! starting with my left foot, every film he's been in has been a transcendent experience. oh that's not to say liam not gifted, don't get me wrong, i think he's good too - but ddl has got something special that takes him to a deeper level when he inhabits a role
Let me be the first to say....have a historic President's Day!
ReplyDeleteFonda would be my pick. I'm interested in seeing what Liam will do with the role.
Cool post! I agree on both counts, LOVE Liam Neeson, but DDL has ths Lincoln thing going on!
ReplyDeleteYou left out Tom Cruise....HA!
ReplyDeleteOh....Sam Waterston does a great Lincoln..high pitched voice and all!
ReplyDeleteHenry Fonda looks absolutely amazing! I didn't even recognize him!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post, Willow!
Apparely someone once accused Abe Lincoln of being two faced. He replied, 'If I was, do you think I'd be wearing this one?'
ReplyDeleteIncidentally, in England a Lincoln is a delicious biscuit (cookie) with little bobbly bits on top.
As much as I adore Neeson, I totally agree with you that D D-L would be the better choice. He already has the craggy look and the lean frame -- not to mention the uncanny ability to disappear into a role.
ReplyDeleteI would love DDL as any character, and Liam Neeson would also be good, I think. He's very tall.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, thank you for the quote by Melody Beattie in your sidebars. She's one of my heroines.