20th Century-Fox Dynamo (June 3, 1939)

“Young Mr. Lincoln Special” NEW DYNAMO 17A INTERESTING, TELL-TALE STATISTICS ON WORLD PREMIERE OF 'LINCOLN’ Springfield police and State deputies estimated the crowd numbered 53,000 people. The population of Springfield—for the day—was doubled, for they came here in thousands and from all parts of Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Iowa. The 62 newspaper correspondents who were in town repre- sented some 5,000 daily newspapers (three represented the news syndicates), 42 national magazines and trade journals and regionals. Two major networks—NBC and Mutual—carried references to the world premiere, reaching millions from Coast to Coast. Springfield Chamber of Commerce, on Thursday, reported the most profitable Memorial Day in the city’s history, for in the past this is a deserted place on that holiday, but the gals did plenty of heavy buying to look their best at the premiere. A total of 11 special trains were run from various parts of the state to the premiere. Railroads split the usual ticket cost for excursionists. The 62 out-of-town newspaper men and women filed more than 25,000 words, reporting the affair, according to Western Union and Postal which installed special wires for their use. Particularly lengthy stories were wired to the New York and Los Angeles newspapers. This was the first premiere of this kind to which New York newspapers assigned their own staff writers, the others being covered by local correspondents or the AP, UP, or INS reporters. Seventy-one automobiles, all privately owned, were placed at the disposal of the visitors by the citizens of Springfield, who drove them themselves or assigned their chauffeurs to the job. Every automobile agency in this city contributed cars. In zig-zagging its way from the station to the Leland and Abraham Lincoln Hotels, the motorcade carrying the stars travelled through seven streets policed by 452 officers, accord- ing to the authorities, but the crowds were orderly—and a credit to any city. AP and INS covered the event for their clients via tele- photos. Planes delivered pictures to the feature syndicates. The members of the State Legislature adjourned in order that the two hotels might accommodate the visitors. Four states, 11 universities and colleges and two exhibitors’ organizations were officially represented. Every downtown street was decorated with flags and signs of welcome. On the main roads leading into Springfield, signs, conspicuously displayed, informed the rider he or she was so many miles away from the Fox-Lincoln where “Young Mr. Lincoln” was to be given its world premiere. Seventeen editorials were written on the affair and the pro- duction by newspapers in 12 cities. For the first time in the history of Springfield theatredom, locals paid $3.50 for a premiere. Eddie Collins, comic, who also appears in “Young Mr. Lincoln,” won the honors at every appearance of the stars— and left town a confirmed star, for every newspaper corre- spondent reported his personal conquest. And it was a con- quest ! CROWDS EVERYWHERE ^ is 0 [lZ crowd that jammed two streets for blocks at the premiere. Note the numerous newspaper cameramen on hand to photo- graph the comings and goings of stars and notables from four states. Arc lights turned the Lincoln theatre area into daylight. THE FAIR SIDE By JEANNETTE SAUER Everyone priviliged to attend the premiere of Darry F. Zan- ucks soul-stirring picture, “Young Mr. Lincoln,” in the per- fect setting of Springfield, 111., must have felt the same thrill that I did, visiting this shrine of the Great Emancipator, while witnessing his early struggles and triumphs unfold in a superb motion picture. Springfield, like Mt. Vernon, is engraved, indelibly, on the hearts of all true Americans. Here a mighty figure in Ameri- can history spent his youth, dreaming, loving, working — building for a future that was to lead to the highest post in the nation. And Henry Fonda IS the “Young Mr. Lincoln” in looks, in character, in perform- ance. His is a characterization that will live for years to come. As I sat in the darkened theatre, watching an array of vital, vivid characters engage in a dramatic struggle that glowed with realism, I felt myself car- ried back to the days of the young Lincoln, when it was “the survival of the fittest,” just as it is today. Much history has been made in the lapse of years, but one can draw an easy parallel between the girls of that period, girls like Ann Rutledge, Mary Todd. Abigail and Hannah Clay and Carrie Sue, and the miss of today. What a fine, sturdy, hon- est breed they were, blessed with clear complexions, fine physiques, natural charm and vitality. They had busy minds and hands, engaged as they were in building homes under the most trying conditions, of guiding the destiny of their menfolk through self-denial and encouragement. Our present-day girls have attained much of this strength and vitality through independence in work, through constant vigilance to their diets, to proper exercise, to knowing the benefits of sunshine and fresh air. Girls of this type were cer- tainly in evidence on this trip to Springfield, via the “Young Mr. Lincoln” and Ann Rutledge specials. There were 14 of them, from a number of the biggest cities, keen, alert, intelligent girls, blessed with a fine sense of humour, as honest to deal with as the men with whom they work, shoulder-to-shoulder. One thing that impressed me strongly upon this trip was the similarity between women in all walks of life. I have witnessed a number of Hollywood and New York premieres, attended by throngs of fashionably gowned celebrities and social leaders, but the premiere of “Young Mr. Lincoln” at Spring- field was truly as thrilling. It proved, beyond doubt, that mo- tion-pictures have had such a far-reaching effect that cities everywhere are kindred and that most modern women, whether they chance to live in New York, Hollywod, in small east- ern or mid-western suburbs or the far-west, have acquired per- fect taste in dressing. Take the luncheon at the Leland Hotel given by the Mid-Day Luncheon Club of Springfield as an ex- ample. The feminine members of the club, the visiting stars and newspaper women looked equally smart and well groomed in their cool prints, stripes and cottons. It was a warm day, but the white and pastel turbans and straws made the ladies look fresh and cool. Their clothes were chosen with an eye to line and color and you knew that Judy O’Grady could look as fine as the Colonel’s Lady, today, be- cause she had acquired taste and because, too, clothes could be purchased at a price to fit her purse. Thank the manufac- turers of the country—and the movies which have inspired them! Our Hollywood feminine con- tingent, consisting of Binnie Barnes, Alice Brady and Arleen ILLINOIS NEWSPAPERS LAUD COMPANY FOR ‘YOUNG MR. LINCOLN'; EDITORIALS MARK ENTHUSIASM OF TICKET-BUYERS Springfield, Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Peoria, Bloom- ington and other cities took local interest in the world pre- miere of “Young Mr. Lincoln” on Tuesday. A checkup Friday morning showed that this premiere in- spired a total of 17 editorials in 11 newspapers. Springfield’s two newspapers ran six editorials in the past two weeks. Springfieldians editorially expressed their thanks for staging the world premiere in their midst. Chicago newspapers attracted editorial attention to the “creativeness of Hollywood in making ‘Young Mr. Lincoln’ a thoroughly entertaining picture, that fun-loving Abe himself would have enjoyed.” Following is the complete text of the editorial that appeared in the Illinois State Register, published in Springfield, on Tuesday: “ ‘Young Mr. Lincoln’ arrives in Springfield tonight! Fa- mous cinema stars, internationally-known news commentators, famous educators, prominent civic and political leaders will surround him. All the brilliant color and intriguing glamour of modern Hollywood will provide the setting for his arrival. “The city that was his residence for many years and in whose historic cemetery his body now rests is justly chosen as the scene of the premiere showing of the picture that bears his name. New Salem anti Springfield belonged to Lincoln, and Lincoln was most at home in New Salem and Springfield. “It is impossible to imagine a greater contrast than that of the poverty-environed young Lincoln, as he actually strode across the fields and along the winding lanes of what is now known as the Lincoln Trail, between New Salem and Spring- field, and the Hollywood impersonation with its accompani- ment of streamline trains, kieig lights, radio hook-ups that reach the remotest hamlets of the Nation, and the actual in- vestment of vast sums of money in the motion picture presen- tation of his youth. “It is peculiarly fitting that the premiere should coincide with Memorial Day. It is equally appropriate that Miss Marian Anderson, famous Negro contralto, is to appear on the program at the Fox-Lincoln, in connection with the first showing of the motion picture, ‘Young Mr. Lincoln.’ We question if Miss Anderson will ever sing under circumstances more dramatic or more emotionally inspiring than tonight when she sings, ‘America,’ ‘Ava Maria,’ ‘My Soul’s Been Anchored to the Lord’ and ‘Heaven, Heaven.’ It is a high honor that soon she is to sing before the King and Queen of England but that event will not compare, in spiritual signifi- cance, with the moment tonight when she sings ‘America’ in Young Mr. Lincoln’s home town, the village—now a city— where he began his struggle as a frontier lawyer and man of affairs. “Springfield welcomes the celebrities—Miss Anderson, Low- ell Thomas, Alice Brady, Arleen Whalen, Binnie Barnes, Cesar Romero, Eddie Collins, and many other well-known person- ages on this Memorial Day. Springfield also welcomes the multitude of persons who today and every day visit this his- toric Lincoln shrine, but whose names do not appear in the news stories. “With reverent spirit and thankful hearts they, too, pay tribute to Young Mr. Lincoln and to the principles for which he devoted his life. These are they who keep alive the Lin- coln tradition and who spread the kindly influence of his rugged, homely life. “America must not forget the principles for which Lincoln finally gave his life, a martyr to a great cause. It is far belter to emulate Lincoln than to be entertained by him. It is far better to carry over into the confusion and terror of the world’s ruthless ideologies the courage and simplicity of his everyday life than to be content with having witnessed a dramatic revival of the romance and tragedy of his younger years. “However, it is not necessary to make the choice of either one. The American people may have both. The cinema interpretation of Lincoln will enlarge our appreciation of all that he believed in anti for which he made the supreme sacrifice. “The motion picture industry is today one of the major educational factors in American life. Great personalities— Disraeli, Pasteur, Hamilton, Clive, Rembrandt, the Roth- schilds, Beethoven—and now Abraham Lincoln—live again and speak to millions of persons by the magic of the silver screen. “This 30th day of May, 1939, is truly a historic occasion for Springfield. And for the remnant of Lincoln’s faithful volunteers, the survivors of the Grand Army of the Republic —let us not forget them, in our hurry to catch a glimpse of the Hollywood stars. And for the people of Marian Ander- son’s race who dwell here in Lincoln’s town. And for sadlv- smiling Mr. Lincoln, if from some celestial realm he is look- ing down upon all that is happening here in the village where he once had his residence. “In the language of Tiny Tim we exclaim, ‘God bless us, everyone.’ ” The rest of our feminine group looked anything but busi- nesslike in their soft chiffons, crepe, tulles and lace frocks. There was a variance of coif- fures to be observed, some pre- ferring the upsweep to the new “little-girl” type of head-dress, others the page-boy and softly curled, longer bob. A smart background for the soft colors of the women’s gowns was sup- plied by the well-fitting dinner clothes of the male contingent. Some wore full-dress, others tuxedos, and still others the prevailing white dinner jacket that looks so well these hot sum- mer nights. Whelan, created quite a stir, first, as guests-of-honor at the luncheon, and later, of course, at the premiere. They looked chic and beautiful, but as real as the girls who came to write about them and the picture, and the women in the first-night audience. Miss Barnes wore a Roman striped dance gown with a cornflower blue jacket and striped turban to the premiere. Alice Brady looked chic in white fox jacket and black satin gown. Her pert dinner hat was of red velvet flowers. And Arleen wore a black crepe dinner dress, sim- ple in line, that set off her red hair to great advantage.