Land of Lincoln movie magic!
Updated: November 19, 2012
SPRINGFIELD -- The movie that has the Land of Lincoln buzzing, is finally hitting theaters in Central Illinois. Steven Spielberg's new movie about Abraham Lincoln opens in theaters around the country Friday. WCIA-3's Steve Staeger checked out a special premiere.
New York and LA have had their chance to check out Honest Abe on screen. Now, it's time for the Land of Lincoln. It's tough to think of a better place to watch the movie named after the man, than in the theater named after the man.
"We grew up here and Lincoln has some heritage with Abraham, and we're really excited about it."
"I wouldn't sit for 3 - 4 hours for very many things."
The Logan County Tourism Board held a special screening at the Lincoln Theater. People were encouraged to dress up for the time period. Most opted to stick with comfortable movie clothes, but a few brave souls showed their stuff.
"I started dressing up, probably 20-years ago, portraying my own great-great-grandfather Bagardis. He was a champion gunshot of the world and half-owner of Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show for a couple of years."
Costume or not, everyone agrees, it's pretty cool to see this movie in a place which means so much.
"So, why is this town so special?"
"There are 14 Lincoln's around the country, but this is the only one Abraham Lincoln actually named himself."
"He was a lawyer for the men who founded this town. And, since he had to be there to fill out the land sale, they said they'd like to name it Lincoln. And he said, 'you can if you want, but nothing named Lincoln never amounts to too much.'"
That's a statement historians and most Americans would disagree with. Lincoln, the man, did amount to much and everyone standing in line here would agree. The town did too.
The movie stars Daniel Day Lewis and Sally Field. It's based on a book about Lincoln's cabinet during the time he freed the slaves.
New York and LA have had their chance to check out Honest Abe on screen. Now, it's time for the Land of Lincoln. It's tough to think of a better place to watch the movie named after the man, than in the theater named after the man.
"We grew up here and Lincoln has some heritage with Abraham, and we're really excited about it."
"I wouldn't sit for 3 - 4 hours for very many things."
The Logan County Tourism Board held a special screening at the Lincoln Theater. People were encouraged to dress up for the time period. Most opted to stick with comfortable movie clothes, but a few brave souls showed their stuff.
"I started dressing up, probably 20-years ago, portraying my own great-great-grandfather Bagardis. He was a champion gunshot of the world and half-owner of Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show for a couple of years."
Costume or not, everyone agrees, it's pretty cool to see this movie in a place which means so much.
"So, why is this town so special?"
"There are 14 Lincoln's around the country, but this is the only one Abraham Lincoln actually named himself."
"He was a lawyer for the men who founded this town. And, since he had to be there to fill out the land sale, they said they'd like to name it Lincoln. And he said, 'you can if you want, but nothing named Lincoln never amounts to too much.'"
That's a statement historians and most Americans would disagree with. Lincoln, the man, did amount to much and everyone standing in line here would agree. The town did too.
The movie stars Daniel Day Lewis and Sally Field. It's based on a book about Lincoln's cabinet during the time he freed the slaves.
