Tennessee Johnson (1942)
December 1, 1942Release Date
Tennessee Johnson (1942)
December 1, 1942Release Date
Plot.
Where to Watch.
Cast & Crew.
Van Heflin
Andrew Johnson
Lionel Barrymore
Thaddeus Stevens
Ruth Hussey
Eliza McCardle Johnson
Regis Toomey
Blackstone McDaniel
Marjorie Main
Mrs. Maude Fisher
J. Edward Bromberg
Coke
William Dieterle
Director
John L. Balderston
Writer
Grant Withers
Mordecai Milligan
Alec Craig
Sam Andrews
Wells Root
Writer
Milton Gunzburg
Writer
Charles Dingle
Senator Jim Waters
Carl Benton Reid
Congressman Hargrove
J. Walter Ruben
Producer
Russell Hicks
Lincoln's Emissary
Noah Beery
Sheriff Cass (as Noah Beery Sr.)
Robert Warwick
Major Crooks
Montagu Love
Chief Justice Chase
Lloyd Corrigan
Mr. Secretary
William Farnum
Senator Huyler
Charles Trowbridge
Lansbury
Lynne Carver
Martha Lincoln
Russell Simpson
Kirby
Media.
Details.
Release DateDecember 1, 1942
StatusReleased
Running Time1h 43m
Content RatingNR
Budget$1,042,000
Genres
Wiki.
Tennessee Johnson is a 1942 American film about Andrew Johnson, the 17th president of the United States, released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was directed by William Dieterle and 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."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.