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Interesting Questions, Facts and Information
- There are a total of 15 general entries.
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 Interesting Questions, Facts, and Information
 Stewart, James
May 20, 1908. He was born on May 20, 1908 in the small town of Indiana, Pennsylvania.
hardware store. The store had been around for about 150 years. Named after Jim's paternal grandfather (Jim was named after him). Jim was supposed to take over running the business but luckily Hollywood called. It was a mainstay in the town until Alex Stewart's death in 1961.
True. They made 3 classic films together: 'You Can't Take It With You' (1938), 'Mr. Smith Goes To Washington' (1939), and 'It's A Wonderful Life' (1946).
Smith. Made in 1939 and directed by Frank Capra, it was one of Stewart's best films. It garnered him an Oscar nod but lost to Robert Donat. Stewart and Capra would make one more film together: 'It's A Wonderful Life' (1946).
The Philadelphia Story. Stewart won the Best Actor award in 1940 beating out best friend Henry Fonda. Ginger Rogers won Best Actress. His father called him that night and asked if he could send the Oscar back to his hometown to display in the window of the family hardware store. Stewart obliged and it stayed there until Alex Stewart's death in 1961. Stewart was nominated 5 times all together for all the films listed above and "It's A Wonderful Life". He won an Honorary Oscar in 1985.
Army Air Corps. Stewart was the first entertainer to actually enlist in the war effort. He enlisted in 1941 prior to Pearl Harbor. He was turned down for not weighing enough, but bulked up for a few months by eating tuna fish sandwiches (his favorite). He made it the second time by an ounce. He had chalked up flying time in his Stinson purchased before the war, and became a bomber squadron commander. He flew in over 20 missions over Germany receiving the Air Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and France's highest honor for bravery the Croix de Guerre. He went back to Hollywood unscathed as a colonel.
t. He didn't have many prospects after the war until Frank Capra came to him one day with a story. He met with Capra, liked the story and starred in the Christmas perennial 'It's A Wonderful Life'. It wasn't a huge success when it opened but Stewart's performance was good enough to earn him another Oscar nod. Capra was nominated as well as Best Picture. The film didn't win, but it is one of Stewart's best known performances.
f. The on screen couple starred in 3 films together: 'The Stratton Story' (1949), 'The Glenn Miller Story '(1954), and 'Strategic Air Command' (1955).
Gloria. The couple met in 1948 at a dinner party thrown together by Gary and Rocky Cooper. They were the only 2 single people there (Gloria just recently divorced). They dated and got married on August 9th, 1949. Gloria brought along her two sons Ronald and Michael from her first marriage. Jim and Gloria had twin daughters, Kelly and Judy, in May of 1951. They were married for 44 years until Gloria's death in 1994.
Harvey. Originally a stage play starring Frank Faye. Universal bought the rights and had Jim star as Elwood P. Dowd, a drunk with an imaginary rabbit for a best friend. It garnered Stewart a 4th Oscar nod.
Kim Novak. Known as Hitchcock's masterpiece. The part was originally supposed to go to Vera Miles, but after Hitch revised the script Vera Miles became pregnant. Hitch was upset but found a perfect replacement in Kim Novak.
July 2nd, 1997. Stewart passed away at age 89 on July 2nd, 1997. He died from a blood clot in his lung. He will always be remembered for his wonderful performances, and there will never be anyone like him.
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