This is a great posting. I saw the movie about three years ago on tape. Stewart always looked so natural. And a war hero into the bargain (though he would never have seen himself in that light). Also a good, staunch Republican who was sniffy about Ronald Reagan.
Jimmy was a squadron commander and flew twenty missions in B24's for the Eighth Air Force. He didn't lose a single member of his crew to enemy fire or breakdowns. He recounts his missions in the documentary series World At War.
He won the Distinguished Flying Cross for holding his formation together under extreme enemy pressure during the first day of the Big Week campaign.
Clark Gable was also in the Air Force, but only as a gunnery trainer, he didn't see any action.
Meanwhile, Errol Flynn was busy winning the Burma campaign single handedly and John Wayne was busy fighting the Japanese in the studios of Hollywood.
Amazing posting, indeed! Did you find the stills on the net or did you do this all by yourself? Wouldn't know how to do this, that's why I ask...
Jimmy Stewart is one of those all time heroes... If you have to find an illustration for an encyclopedia entry on "integrity" use a James Stewart picture!
Hank, your jacket's in the post and your inbox is full.
Thanks a lot! I've deleted three our four messages in the inbox... Why is there so little space, anyway?
Great post and a good movie. I like jimmy stewart as an actor but there are people that label the man a racist ?. small pennsylvania town irish protestant.
For Jazz fans this is an interesting movie on account of the Duke Ellington film score - Ellington's first. By coincidence I was playing the Feeling of Jazz CD which includes Flirtibird and I'm Gonna Go Fishin' when I opened this thread. Anyone who's seen the film will remember the latter tune certainly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXZsUhBn7j4
Prefer the instrumental version myself.
Last edited by Sammy Ambrose (2010-07-04 07:34:04)
^Indeed I dont know what the facts are as a basis to the accusations. as I said small town guy.
And that's where his strength lies, just look at 'It's A Wonderful Life'.
Still, that's no excuse for not supporting the Civil Rights movement, if that is indeed true.
John Wayne was a walking contradiction with a toupee - married to a hispanic and yet was anti-Mexican in politics. He also drank mescaline and tequila and went on two week drunks South of the border with John Ford.
Weren't Jimmy Stewart and Henry Fonda mates, despite being on different sides of the political spectrum?
Reminds me of Donavan's Reef, Lee Marvin and John Wayne fighting it out, over nothing.
Last edited by 4F Hepcat (2010-07-04 12:26:26)