The Many Films of James Stewart Quiz

Answer: Murder Man

Jimmy Stewart's first feature film was "Murder Man" released in 1935 and starring Spencer Tracy and Virginia Bruce. "Art Trouble" and "Important News" were both made before "Murder Man", but they were shorts. Billy Grady saw Jim in plays at Princeton and later summer stock in Cape Cod.

He urged Stewart to make a screen test and become a professional actor. The director of "Murder Man" thought Grady was crazy because for Stewart's first feature film, Grady had chosen the 6'3", 130 pound Stewart to play a reporter named "Shorty". "Next Time We Love" was Stewart's second film with Margaret Sullavan.

Answer: Born to Dance

This film was made in 1936 (one of the eight he made that year). It co-starred Eleanor Powell and Buddy Ebsen. Stewart was certainly not the first person you would think would be in a musical, but at that time in the studio system, the heads of studios would use any entertainers they had to sing and dance whether they could or not. Stewart's voice singing "Easy to Love" was dubbed at the first screening of the film, but the director figured that the song was a classic and no matter how bad the voice, the song would not turn out bad.

Answer: Navy Blue and Gold

This film was made in 1937 and co-starred Robert Young and Florence Rice. Although not very well known, Stewart gave a stirring performance of a young navy cadet who changed his name because of his lured family ties. He is a football star and he doesn't want his career to be ruined but has to come out with the truth to one of his professors about a certain navy cadet from years past who broke a long standing rule of the institution.

The professor bashes this cadet and Stewart's character stands up in front of the class to correct his superior with the right information. That cadet happened to be the father of Stewart's character. Because of the character's ties, he is not allowed to play in the big football game.

Answer: True

One of the most well-known films of all time, "Mr. Smith" proved to the public that Stewart was indeed a talented actor. Stewart plays a small town young man who is thrust into the job of state senator because of a death. They choose the young senator because he is inexperienced and naïve. Stewart gives a filibuster, one of the finest monologues in the history of films, and teaches the veteran senators of his young ideals. Stewart lost to Robert Donat for "Goodbye Mr. Chips" and was nominated four more times (winning once).

Answer: The Philadelphia Story

Stewart was given the Academy Award in 1941 for his portrayal of reporter Macaulay Connor. Stewart co-starred with Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant. "The Philadelphia Story" is a sophisticated love story with comedy, love, and classic acting. The other three choices were all films in which Stewart received Academy Award nods.

Answer: It's A Wonderful Life

This film is the quintessential James Stewart film. The one which he is best known for. It was released in the US in 1946 to a country recovering from a war. Jimmy portrayed George Bailey, a man down on his luck who makes a wish that he was never born.

A guardian angel named Clarence comes down and shows George what it would be like without him. Many believe that this message follows Stewart's career as well: "Each man's life touches so many other lives, and when he isn't around he leaves an awful hole."

Answer: Rope

"Rope" was released in the US in 1948 and was the first color Hitchcock film. This isn't the most well-known film of the long and historic partnership, but holds its own.

Answer: False

"The Stratton Story" is about a famous baseball player who lost his leg in a hunting accident. The film was released in the US in 1949 and co-starred June Allyson, Frank Morgan, and Agnes Moorhead. It is a touching story with a few laughs, tears, and a story of determination and strength.

The real Monty Stratton was the leading pitcher in the major leagues for the Chicago White Sox, when hunting for rabbits, he tripped over a log and shot himself in the leg. He gave up all hope, giving up his career.

He finally decides to wear his prosthetic leg and pitches for the first time with his new leg in the All-Star game continuing his career.

Answer: Winchester '73

Stewart returned home from World War 2 with an edge and rough exterior. He wanted to shed his image of the wholesome, boy next door and began to star in westerns. "Winchester '73" was his first western (and one of his best). It was released in the US in 1950 and was directed by Anthony Mann.

This actor/director team would collaborate on eight films in the 1950s. This film helped Stewart earn a lot of money because he was the first actor to work for a share of the profits of a film for Universal (he did the same for "Harvey").

Answer: Rear Window

Released in the US in 1954 and co-starring Grace Kelly, Thelma Ritter, Wendell Corey and Raymond Burr, "Rear Window" became one of the highest grossing films of 1954. It is a voyeuristic view of a photographer who thinks he witnesses a murder of a neighbor while wheel-chair bound in his apartment.

This film was ahead of its time with its love scenes and Stewart and Kelly have a wonderful chemistry.

Answer: True

A taboo subject even as the 1950s closed, "Anatomy of a Murder" was a very controversial film. This film was directed by Otto Preminger and filmed on location in Iron Mountain, Michigan. It co-starred Lee Remick, Eve Arden, Arthur O'Connell, Ben Gazarra and George C. Scott.

It remains to be one of the best courtroom dramas of all time and Stewart gave a stirring performance of Paul Beigler, "the humble, country lawyer". The score of the film was done amazingly by Duke Ellington. Stewart received his final Oscar nod and won New York Critic's Best Actor Award in 1959.

Answer: The FBI Story

A great film released in the US in 1959. Jimmy is wonderful and the tough, nailbiting G-man who battles corruption and his wife. This is one of James Stewart's overlooked performances in his career. This film isn't very well known but is a great classic.

A touching story, with complete supervision of J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI. Although made over 40 years ago, shows an in-depth look at the labs, offices, and work done by the FBI.

Answer: Vertigo

Filmed on location in San Francisco in 1957. Released in the US in 1958. A unusual Jimmy Stewart vehicle, but one of his best performances as a San Francisco police officer stricken with vertigo. He is asked to follow the wife of an old college friend, and falls madly in love with her.

Although not very successful at the time of its release, it has now become Hithcock's Masterpeice and one of his most personal films. Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak are wonderful co-stars.

Answer: Henry Fonda

This western was released in the US in 1970 and was directed by the legendary dancer, Gene Kelly. Fonda and Stewart are at their funniest in this comedy. The two were best friends in real life for almost 50 years. It is a wonderful pairing with great political and silly banter between the two of them.

Answer: 1985

This was Stewart's second Oscar presented to him by Cary Grant. It was awarded for his excellence an indelible impact on the film industry for 50 years. Stewart also received the AFI Life Achievement Award, The Medal of Freedom, and the Kennedy Center Honors.

He is the highest ranking entertainer in military history with a rank of Brigadier General. He passed away on July 2nd, 1997 at the age of 89, but his films and performances continue to live on for generations to come.