Tennessee Johnson (1942): cast, story & where to watch
1942 · Film · ★ 6.3
Released in 1942, Tennessee Johnson is a drama and history film directed by William Dieterle, running about 103 minutes. “From poverty to a president. A great American story!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. The tumultuous presidency of 19th-president Andrew Johnson is chronicled in this biopic. The story begins with Johnson's boyhood and covers his early life. During the Civil War, Johnson stays a staunch Unionist and upon Lincoln's reelection in 1864, becomes his Vice President. After Lincoln's assassination, Johnson becomes the President and became the first U.S. president ever to be impeached.
Who’s in it. Tennessee Johnson stars Van Heflin as Andrew Johnson, Lionel Barrymore as Thaddeus Stevens, Ruth Hussey as Eliza McCardle Johnson and Marjorie Main as Mrs. Maude Fisher, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.3/10, Tennessee Johnson has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Tennessee Johnson page.
If you liked it. Fans of Tennessee Johnson tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Tennessee Johnson (1942)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Tennessee Johnson change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Tennessee Johnson worth watching?
- Tennessee Johnson holds an audience score of 6.3 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and history. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Tennessee Johnson?
- Tennessee Johnson stars Van Heflin, Lionel Barrymore, Ruth Hussey, Marjorie Main and Regis Toomey.
- When was Tennessee Johnson released?
- Tennessee Johnson was released in 1942, with a runtime of about 103 minutes.