The Perfect Tribute

In truth, the world didn't pay much attention to Abraham Lincoln's speech at Gettysburg. It was Edward Everett, the man played in this short by Claude King, who made the better noted speech. Everett was an orator in the old sense, fire, brimstone, orotund words. Lincoln's language was simpler, presaging the best of American writing, like Mark Twain or Hemingway. It was only with Lincoln's death and the .... well, calling it a cult would not be far off the mark.... that his genius for simplicity was remembered.

I guess Frank McGlynn, who had been playing Lincoln in the movies for twenty years at this point was busy. Chic Sale, specialist in old rustic types, gives a fine performance, but the makeup looks a bit artificial. Which, of course, it was.