Tennessee Johnson

The film tells the life of Andrew Johnson. The account begins with his childhood. He grew up poor and worked as a tailor. He taught himself to read and write. Then he went into politics. During the Civil War he stood with the Union. That stance brought him forward. Lincoln was re-elected in 1864. Johnson became his vice president. When Lincoln was assassinated the presidency passed to him. During his term he clashed with Congress. The dispute grew and impeachment proceedings began. Johnson became the first American president to go through them. Van Heflin and Lionel Barrymore appear in the hundred and three minute film, an American production William Dieterle finished in 1942.