Young Mr. Lincoln

Director John Ford had a banner year in 1939 with the release of the iconic Western Stagecoach, the technicolor extravaganza Drums Along the Mohawk, and the folksy Young Mr. Lincoln. The Oscar-nominated original story by Lamar Trotti spotlights the future president's early years as a clerk eager for learning, then as a pragmatic lawyer trying his first court case. Ford guides Henry Fonda in his most significant role up to that point, and the two would work together six more times during their careers.

Young Mr. Lincoln was added to the National Film Registry in 2003. As of March 2019, the film had a 100% Tomatometer rating (with 21 reviewers) at Rotten Tomatoes.


 * Executive Meddling: Averted, according to The Other Wiki: "Ford and producer Darryl F. Zanuck fought for control of the film, to the point where Ford destroyed unwanted takes for fear the studio would use them in the film."