| Tennessee Johnson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | William Dieterle |
| Written by | Milton Gunzburg (story) Alvin Meyers (story) John L. Balderston Wells Root |
| Produced by | J. Walter Ruben Irving Asher (uncredited) |
| Starring | Van Heflin Lionel Barrymore Ruth Hussey |
| Cinematography | Harold Rosson |
| Edited by | Robert Kern |
| Music by | Herbert Stothart |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release date |
|
Running time | 103 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1,042,000[1] |
| Box office | $684,000[1] |
Tennessee Johnson is a 1942 American film about Andrew Johnson, the 17th president of the United States, released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and directed by William Dieterle. The screenplay was written by Milton Gunzburg, Alvin Meyers, John Balderston, and Wells Root.
It stars Van Heflin as Johnson, Lionel Barrymore as his nemesis Thaddeus Stevens, and Ruth Hussey as first lady Eliza McCardle Johnson. The film depicts the events surrounding the Johnson's impeachment, and "presents its title character as Lincoln’s worthy successor who runs afoul of vindictive Radical Republicans."[2]
Like most U.S. historical films made during World War II, Tennessee Johnson has a strong underlying theme of national unity. The film depicts Johnson as a visionary who heals the rift between North and South despite the efforts of his shortsighted foes. In a climactic but fictional scene, he delivers an impassioned speech to the senators sitting in judgment of him, and warns them that failure to readmit the former Confederate states will leave America defenseless before its overseas foes. In fact, Johnson never appeared in person at his trial.
- ^ a b The Eddie Mannix Ledger, Los Angeles: Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study.
- ^ Kauffman, Bill (2011-12-02) Redford Goes Ron Paul, The American Conservative