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

“Young Mr. Lincoln Special” NEW DYNAMO 19A Carter Barron John Walker Rose Pelswick, C. B. McCarthy, Prunella Hall Tom Kennedy Lee Mortimer MORE COMMENTS FROM THE EXPERTS (Cont’d from Page 11A) the performance Henry Fonda gives in “Young Mr. Lincoln.” Put this pictures down as one of the masterpieces of Holly- wood. No matter what- your feelings may be, your age or creed — all will agree that here is the cinema at its best. Not a preachment, not a picture that is out to educate, but down-to-earth entertain- ment — as enjoyable for the jitterbug as for the Frank Farrell adults who take their time about things. Lee Mortimer, New York Mirror: One of the “must” pictures in the theatregoing career of ev- ery man and woman. Bob O’Donnell, Inter- state circuit: “We’re all thankful to Zanuck and 20th Century-Fox for such a wonderful piece of en- tertainment. Edward M. Fay, Provi- dence, R. I.: We’re going- ahead with plans from a holdover. That is what I think of it. Morris Mechanic, Balti- more, Md.: The Baltimore critics who went to Spring-field are back. “Young Mr. Lincoln” made film salesmen of them. They say “Young Mr. Lincoln” is the best pic- ture they have seen this year and that I am justi- fied in promising just that. What more can I add to that? Irving Lesser, Roxy, New York: Best evidence of the hold this picture gets on people is the fact that the women are see- ing it twice. Patrons’ comments are wonderful. The picture has been ap- plauded at every perform- ance and I tell you that Henry Fonda is the great- est young actor we have in Hollywood. Mayor John W. Kapp, Springfield, 111.: We have been honored. I knew that your company must have produced a picture of which it was proud to have planned such an elaborate opening, but, frankly, I am surprised. This picture is even greater than I had ex- pected. Lowell Thomas: It is a privilege to be associated with a company that has a studio capable of turn- ing out such brilliant en- tertainment. Daily Variety: A picture that came up to advance promises. Producer had his eye on box offices and young, clean-shaven Lin- coln proves a character that should appeal to ev- ery type of theatregoer. Credit Zanuck with an- other bull’s eye and John Ford with another bid for the year’s directorial hon- ors. They can’t keep Henry Fonda out of the running when the time comes to select the actor who gives the best per- formance of the year. Hollywood Reporter: “Young Mr. Lincoln” was applauded by the heads of other studios, by direc- tors. writers, stars and correspondents. It was subjected to a stiff test, but Zanuck’s latest achievement will triumph everywhere over anything. Put it down as something that will justify Holly- wood being chesty. A credit to the studio that made it and to the indus- try as a whole—and ex- hibitors will embrace- it because it is box office. A picture they’ll remember for years to come. Springfield Journal : “Young Mr. Lincoln” is a masterpiece. The thun- derous applause of the au- dience testified to its en- tertainment quality. Henry Fonda as Lincoln is un- beatable. John Ford has scored another triumph. Springfield Register: All that advance reports said it was—and more, for a more entertaining pic- ture has not reached the local screen. Outstanding is Henry Fonda, but the entire cast does excellent work. Picturesquely pho- tographed, its players go through the story as hu- mans should. They make us laugh and, occasionally, one has to fight tears. Yes, there is suspense and drama. Bill Hollander, Chicago: A showman’s delight. Zanuck, Ford, T r o 11 i, Fonda and the others have done a great job and it is up to exhibitors and publicity experts to capi- talize on the excellent re- sults of their effort. A great picture for any theatre privileged to run it, but get behind it. Harry Browning, Bos- ton: To see this picture is to see one of the best entertainments Hollywood has provided. Therefore, our job is to get people to see it right off the bat —and after that word of mouth will do the rest. If any picture merited an elaborate exploitation campaign, “Young Mr. Lincoln” does. Charles Winchell, Min- neapolis: A pleasure to have a picture like this one to work on. It’s great and Henry Fonda is sen- sational in the title role. I was genuinely thrilled. Ward E. Scott. Kansas City: The greatest pic- ture of its kind I have ever seen. I never saw a Fred Smith picture that boasted so many fine performances. Yes, Henry Fonda is away out front in the matter of portrayals, but I never saw such a performance as Alice Brady gives when on the witness stand she is asked to send one boy to the gallows if the other is to be saved. The picture is filled with sequences that you keep recalling hours after you have seen it. Clyde W. Eckhardt, Chi- cago: There are no “ifs,” “ands” or “huts” about it; “Young Mr. Lincoln” is a great picture. This clean- shaven youngster brings us a new conception of Lincoln. This business will never turn out a finer picture nor an entertain- ment with more audience appeal. BLAND JOHANESON chats with two other critics as the special was getting under way for the eventful trip from New York to Springfield. Exactly 62 critics from 41 cities east of Kansas City attended the pre- miere. EXTRA By Long Distance Telephone NEW YORK—This (Saturday) morning newspapers are vibrant with superlatives praising Zanuck’s “Young Mr. Lincoln” which opened yesterday at the Roxy. From the conservative New York Times to the subway rider’s and office girls’ delight—the Daily News, with the largest circulation of any newspaper in the western hemisphere—came only the high- est praise for everything in this production. The audience applauded the picture at every show. This and the fact that lobby comments are extraordinarily enthusias- tic attracted critics sufficiently to incorpo- rate such observation in their reports. In fact, one reported, he heard several women boast they had “stayed to see the picture three times.” Rose Pelswick and Bland Johaneson, who attended the Springfield showing earlier in the week, enjoyed “Young Mr. Lincoln” even more when they saw it a second time. The New York Times rated “Young Mr. Lincoln” among the finer accomplish- ments of Hollywood, raving over the di- rectorial handling of the situations and characterizations by John Ford. Henry Fonda’s performance was reported to be not only his best, but one of the finest any actor ever has given. Kate Cameron of The Daily News used such adjectives as “enjoyable,” “beauti- ful,” etc. That she derived much joy from the story was apparent. Henry Fonda and Alice Brady were lauded. Don- ald Meek, too, came in for the attention of this and several other reviewers. The courtroom scene was appraised one of the best thrown on the screen. Eileen Creelman of the New York Sun followed up on her enthusiastic, wired report from Springfield, going into greater detail in pointing out the many mass appeal features of “Young Mr. Lincoln,” but devoting most of her re- view to the superb acting of Henry Fonda.