Abraham Lincoln first showed up on the silver screen in 1908, and he’s been there ever since, appearing in more movies, TV shows, cartoons and documentaries than any other American historical figure. Film historian Mark S. Reinhart will dig into Lincoln’s long movie career at a special event May 20 at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
Reinhart, the author of “Abraham Lincoln on Screen,” will reveal what filmmakers got right about Lincoln and where they strayed from the facts. He’ll take a critical look at the artistic merits of the more important film works, including Steven Spielberg’s award-winning 2012 film “Lincoln.” He will also share clips throughout the presentation, including scenes from ultra-rare works such as the 1924 silent feature “The Dramatic Life of Abraham Lincoln” and the stunning 1956 CBS Television production “The Day Lincoln was Shot.”
This special program takes place Tuesday, May 20, in the ALPLM’s Union Theater. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and the program begins at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free, but advance registration is required.
“Lincoln’s life captured the imagination of millions of people, and filmmakers were quick to realize that films about him would appeal to a vast audience,” Reinhart writes. “Lincoln was often a casualty in this war between fact and fiction when his image was brought to the screen.” Reinhart will have signed copies of “Abraham Lincoln on Screen” available for purchase after the program.
The mission of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is to inspire civic engagement through the diverse lens of Illinois history and share with the world the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. We pursue this mission through a combination of rigorous scholarship and high-tech showmanship built on the bedrock of the ALPLM’s unparalleled collection of historical materials – roughly 13 million items from all eras of Illinois history.
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