Young Mr. Lincoln (1939)

There is probably not a better example of tender, homey Americana than this film. Henry Fonda is the young Abraham Lincoln, beginning before he even became a lawyer to one of his early defense cases involving a murder. I wouldn’t have necessarily thought Fonda would make a good Lincoln, but I was thoroughly impressed with his portrayal. He brings an intelligent, folksy charm to the characterization, similar to what I’d expect from James Stewart, while managing to physically look similarly to the most popular images of Lincoln. The story was quite interesting in telling a lesser known part of Lincoln’s biography.

Oscar Nomination: Best Writing, Original Story