In Memoriam: James Stewart

Today, we are celebrating and remembering the life and career of Academy Award-winning actor James Stewart on what would have been his 104th birthday. A Pennsylvania native, Jimmy began his acting career in the mid-1930s, landing his first role in a feature film in 1935's The Murder Man. He worked consistently throughout the 1930s, appearing in a total of twenty-one feature films from 1935 to 1939, where he scored his first Oscar nomination for his performance in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. The following year, Stewart nabbed his sole Oscar statuette for his role in 1940's The Philadelphia Story, which officially shot him to superstardom. Over the next twenty years, Stewart would score three more Oscar nominations for 1946's It's a Wonderful Life, 1950's Harvey and 1959's Anatomy of a Murder while also appearing in the 1952 film The Greatest Show on Earth, 1954's Rear Window and 1957's The Spirit of St. Louis. Sadly, Stewart passed away in 1997 at the age of 89, but that doesn't mean we can't celebrate his memory. And so, I've listed my five favorite of Jimmy's performances for your viewing pleasure. I hope we can all enjoy the work that Stewart produced throughout his career and cherish the legacy he created on the Hollywood scene.

5. Dr. Hostleter

The Shootist (1977)

*****

4. L.B. 'Jeff' Jefferies

Rear Window (1954)

***** 

3. John 'Scottie' Ferguson

Vertigo (1958)

***** 

2. George Bailey

It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

***** 

1. Jefferson Smith

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

Movie Review: MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON

MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON
1939

Directed by: Frank Capra

Starring: James Stewart, Claude Rains, Jean Arthur, Edward Arnold, Thomas Mitchell

Analysis: It's rare that a movie has the ability to absolutely blow you away. In my life, I've seen over 1100 films, and up to this point, I'd only given twenty-five an "A+" grade. I can happily say that Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is the twenty-sixth. Everything just clicks with this one, from the Oscar-winning screenplay to the utterly brilliant acting by Mr. Jimmy Stewart as the titular character.

Thrust into the spotlight as an honorary appointed senator, Jefferson Smith starts his political career sitting back, watching everything unfold under the lights of the capital of the greatest country in the world. A patriot of the first order, Mr. Smith finally decides to get his feet wet and creates a bill to open a national boys' camp in his home state. However, the location of his proposed camp falls on the same land as a proposed dam supported by his state's fellow senator and the extremely powerful lobbyist who's been running the show from behind the scenes for two decades. Appalled, Smith takes a stand and filibusters the Senate, using his every last bit of strength, energy and tenacity to turn the other senators to his side while outing the crooked politicians from his very own, beloved state.

The story is simple, yet the actual screenplay is extremely complex yet very easy to follow. Even back in 1940, against a lot of political opposition, the film went on the win the Oscar for Best Original Story. However, the real star, Jimmy Stewart, is absolutely breathtaking as the lead that made him a certified movie star. I've always been a fan of Mr. Stewart, but this only increased my admiration for the man. You can see the metamorphosis from the down-home, Southern man full of aspiration to the man angered so much by the system that he finally decides to take a stand for his own sense of morality. Yes, the supporting characters play their parts to a tee, but Stewart takes the cake this time around. Watching him is a true delight. I just wish I could be more like Mr. Jefferson Smith.

Movie Review Summary:
Score: 9.5/10
Grade: A+

Should You Watch It? YES