MovieChat Forums > The Dark Horse (1932) Discussion > Lincoln's speech

Lincoln's speech

posted 12 years ago by Echo_in_big_sky
3 replies | jump to latest

When his opponent stole Lincoln's speech and used it as his own, and Warren Williams camp brought it to the assembly's attention that it was plagiarized, I got the feeling that it was seen to be a very clever move to enlighten the audience.

It made me wonder if people of the 1930's in general wouldn't recognize a speech written only seventy years earlier by a great politician. I can't imagine someone from today not being able to recognize a speech by Dr. MLK, or one of our former presidents.

My assumption was that the quality of education back then was better than today, at least for the basics of the 3 R's.

(But maybe I'm just too wrapped into these old movies and think too much about them and need to get some fresh air.)

Always the officiant, never the bride. http://www.withthiskissitheewed.com

[–] gribfritz2 12 years ago

Not sure where you live, but the average person seems inherently dumber today than ever before. This is why we're on here discussing "classic" movies, since most of the spew that is current movies caters to morons.

Of course, many would recognize I have a Dream or the Gettysburg Address. Sadly, there still are many that wouldn't. But to the point, I think there are very few that would recognize this particular Lincoln speech. I had to look it up myself. It's from early in his career, from 1832 (which makes it 100 years earlier, not 70), when he ran for Illinois General Assembly and lost. Unless you're a Lincoln enthusiast, I would say most of the public would be completely unaware of this speech.

Without looking it up, I would bet half of Americans wouldn't even know who was president 70 years ago, much less know any of their speeches, especially the less famous ones they made when running (and failing) for smaller office 30 years prior.

[–] Echo_in_big_sky 12 years ago

That was the point I was trying to make. I thought people were smarter back then and I was shocked they didn't recognize the speech.

But the points you make probably explain the reasons why.

Peace.

Always the officiant, never the bride. http://www.withthiskissitheewed.com

[–] rtw416 9 years ago

I think today-anyone could google the speech to cross reference if anyone else had used it before.In the 1930's it would take longer to check-unless you had a copy handy as Warren Williams character had.