James Stewart Centennial
Today marks the one-hundred anniversary of the birth of one of the greatest movie stars of all times, James (aka Jimmy) Stewart.
Over at Libertas, Dirry Harry offers tribues to this great man, providing an overview of his life and accomplishments here and a list of the star’s top five films here.
I offered some thoughts on one of my favorite Stewart flicks, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance here and expect to update this post throughout the day. And of course, should I have time this evening to watch a DVD, it’ll be something starring that great man from Indiana, Pennyslvania.
UPDATE: I had thought I would have more to say about Jimmy Stewart today, but, well, would rather just watch his movies and delight in how well he plays “Everyman.” Tonight, I saw him playing Tony Kirby, the scion of a wealthy banking family in Frank Capra’s You Can’t Take it With You, with Lionel Barrymore playing almost exactly the opposite role he plays in It’s a Wonderful Life.
The movie holds up so well, nearly seventy years after its initial release. Perhaps it’s just due to Stewart’s screen presence or Capra’s vision or the delightful supporting cast.
I had hoped to say something profound about Jimmy Stewart, given how much I enjoy his films, but just can’t seem to manage it today. Sometimes, the ideas comes to us when we least expect them. Oftentimes, when we try to say something on the anniversary of an important event about that event or the person born on that day, the words don’t flow. But, then another day, what we want to say emerges when something turns our thoughts in a certain directions.
I regret that I cannot offer today a tribute in words to Jimmy Stewart. But, thanks to DVD — and now a variety of other media — we can watch his movies in our own homes at our leisure. And those films, Stewart’s celluloid legacy, represent the greatest tribute to his amazing talent. A true record of his achievement.
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Turner Classic Movies is running all Jimmy Stewart films today in honor of the centennial.
Comment by Draybee — May 20, 2008 @ 2:46 pm - May 20, 2008
For me, nothing says Jimmy Stewart more than “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” Both wonderful films from a legendary performer.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — May 20, 2008 @ 4:17 pm - May 20, 2008
He made so many great ones. I would agree that “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” ranks near the top. He was also a delight in “Harvey”.
But I love movies that make me laugh. I can never remember the name of the film. It co-starred Henry Fonda. Stewart and Fonda somehow come into ownership of a whore house in Wyoming back in frontier days. They made a great team and it was a great comedy
Comment by Trace Phelps — May 20, 2008 @ 5:40 pm - May 20, 2008
That’s the “Cheyenne Social Club”.
Comment by Ted B. (Charging Rhino) — May 20, 2008 @ 5:42 pm - May 20, 2008
He also served in WWII, on a bomber crew I believe.
Comment by Jeremayakovka — May 20, 2008 @ 9:39 pm - May 20, 2008
And, Jimmy was life long Republican. And, was Henry Fonda’s best friend. Henry Fonda was a life-long Democrat. Where have those days gone?
Comment by Mark J. Goluskin — May 21, 2008 @ 1:13 am - May 21, 2008
Try and see TWO RODE TOGETHER, the Western Ford made with Jimmy Stewart before this one. It is one of his greatest films with superb framing and editing, and one of the deepest examinations Ford ever did of America. It is up there with THE SEARCHERS, Ford’s other sublime masterpiece.
Jimmy Stewart is also amazing the films (Western and non) that he made with Anthony Mann in the ’50’s. MAN OF THE WEST is another great Anthony Mann film (starring Gary Cooper in one of his last roles); it was just released yesterday on dvd (though it needs proper projection to be appreciated in full since it is in Cinemascope).
As for Fonda’s and Stewart’s friendship: after a serious, serious disagreement that occurred during the 1950’s, they agreed never to talk politics with one another, and thereby remained friends.
Comment by Brian in Brooklyn — May 21, 2008 @ 12:24 pm - May 21, 2008
For some odd reason, It always tickled me when Stewart appeared in Johnny Carson the screen-caption would read “Brig. Gen. James Stewart”. Not only was Stewart a USAAF bomber pilot in WW2 over Europe, he stayed active in the USAF Reserves well into the 1960’s when he retired with a service-earned general’s star.
Hoiw many of the current Hollywood crowd are Reservists? …Not to mention Generals?
Comment by Ted B. (Charging Rhino) — May 21, 2008 @ 2:19 pm - May 21, 2008