Talk:James Stewart (actor)

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[edit] Jimmy

I'm intrigued as to why the entry for "James Stewart" is redirected here. The man's name was James Stewart, and he appeared in films as James Stewart. Surely Jimmy Stewart is just a nickname, and that's where the redirect should be, not under the proper name. user:Deb

He's credited as James Stewart, but in my experience he's universally known as Jimmy Stewart. See the section "Use common names of persons" under Wikipedia:Naming conventions. --Brion VIBBER, Saturday, July 13, 2002

There was discussion about this and the decision was to house articles at the most popular name with redirects from legal names if necessary. For that reason, Bob Dylan is the article and Zimmerman the redirect; Bill Clinton the article and William Jefferson is not, etc. Koyaanis Qatsi


I see. I suppose it must be an American thing, then, because in Britain he's less often called "Jimmy" - it's definitely not "universal". Bob Dylan's stage name is Bob Dylan; Stewart's is James Stewart. However, my main problem with this way of doing it is that there are other people called "James Stewart" - for example, most of the King James-es of Scotland, and also the Old Pretender. I think "James Stewart" should be a disambiguation page rather than a redirect. user:Deb

Kings and Queens have their own naming conventions established by JHK and others to prevent problems with ambiguity--for instance King James I of England, King James II of Scotland, etc. You should talk to JHK to find out what those conventions are; I haven't been following them. Who is the Old Pretender? I've never heard of him. Koyaanis Qatsi

Does this mean you don't mind if I change the "James Stewart" page to a disambiguation page, then?" user:Deb

I'm not worried about it really, if the Old Pretender (whoever he is) is also named James Stewart, but I don't know about the kings--I'm not up on my history and so I've been letting the people who are take care of that. (Better for me not to meddle in it). Koyaanis Qatsi

I just went through and changed the links to [[James Stewart]] to [[Jimmy Stewart|James Stewart]] to bypass the new disambiguation page (there were no links to that page that weren't for the actor). --Brion VIBBER, Sunday, July 14, 2002
I just did that again (about 10 more had been made since July). All the new [[James Stewart]]'s were meant for [[Jimmy Stewart]]. -- Someone else 19:02 Mar 29, 2003 (UTC)


[edit] USAF

he served in the U.S. Air Force in World War II and was heavily decorated.

It was the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) back then. It became the USAF in 1947.

Question for the military buffs present: is it customary to refer to the U.S. Air Force by that name when referring to periods before it came into existence as such? --Brion VIBBER
Actually prior to it being the USAAF, it was the Army Air Corps. I think for any reader concerned about it, the evolution is common knowledge. Being ex-Navy, I tend to refer to Army Air Corps at any time it's apopriate (to remind the "zoomies" of their humble beginnings). my favorite gag to pull on a USAF veteran, is when they say "When I was in the military..." I will stop them and ask "Oh you were in the military? I thought you were just in the Air Force." --Woolhiser 12:37, 24 March 2006 (UTC)
From 1926 to June 1941 it was the United States Army Air Corps and from June 1941 to 1947 it was the United States Army Air Forces (not United States Army Air Force). In 1947 the United States Air Force was made into a separate service. Stewart was in the USAAC in March 1941, 3 months before it became the USAAF. During the USAAF period, most people continued to call it the "Air Corps", even though it wasn't the correct name. Does that answer your question? --rogerd 13:17, 24 March 2006 (UTC)

Somebody listed his being promoted to Major General by Pres. Reagan and references Public Law 108-375 sec. 563. I am not aware of this happening, and the referenced law refers to Chuck Yeager, not Jimmy Stewart. http://www.dod.mil/dodgc/olc/docs/PL108-375.pdf I'm changing this until further reference can be made. The closest thing I know to this happening was an interview I saw with Jimmy Stewart where Ronald Reagan, in his presidency, was asked by a reporter about Brig. Gen. Stewart, whom he corrected as being Major Gen. Jimmy Stewart later told the Pres. that the reporter was correct, but didn't want to speak up at the moment because "it sounded so good." Shawn 06:14, 25 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Appearance in World at War

I remember his appearance in World at War and was the one who mentioned his being identified only as "James Stewart, Squadron Commander", but was the segment specifically about the October 17, 1943 Schweinfurt Raid? He hadn't even arrived in theater at the time. Lyle F. Padilla (lpadilla@voicenet.com) 209.158.189.60 15:40, 28 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] help me name the film

which James Stewart western is it where at the end of the film rock of ages is sung in the church and Stewart's youngest son `blue` walks in on crutches? anyone remember. The film where most of his family are killed and buried next to his wife in the graveyard in the garden

Shenandoah (1965) [1]--Kevin Myers 02:01, Dec 7, 2004 (UTC)

[edit] American Aviators

Jimmy Stewart should be included in the category American Aviators.

[edit] Anyone know why he went on that bombing run over North Vietnam?

Anyone know why he went on that bombing run over North Vietnam?

To help win the war.

[edit] New books coming out

I did, in fact, find the Michael Munn book on Amazon.com, and also found that it was published by (a) a non-notable author (almost no Google presence), on a (b) non-notable publisher, and (c) it's Amazon entry had no comments. Combined, those things point to a non-notable book which is not good source material. Just because something's been published doesn't make it true (look at the New York Post or any of the gossip mags). My guess, is the guy who added it is either the author of the book or a fan/friend/family of the author or book. Volatile 17:44, 28 September 2005 (UTC)

And that is not to mention the fact that when you search for "Michael Munn" and "James Stewart" in conjunction on Google, you get the James Stewart wiki page! Incredible, right? Unless government documents or a legitimate book (written by at least marginally known writer on a relatively established publisher) is written, please leave this kind of libelous stuff out. Thank you. Volatile 17:50, 28 September 2005 (UTC)

So, it sounds like Volatile has a personal POV issue here. Facts:

  • the book exists
  • it makes some new, interesting claims about Jimmie

What's wrong with adding them, marked simply as claims? Does it somehow offend you, Volatile? That is not a good enough reason to not allow it. Even if these claims later prove untrue, Wiki should cover recent developments. Beanbatch 18:56, 28 September 2005 (UTC)

Gossip is not good material for an encyclopedia, no matter how you cut it. And unsubstantiated claims don't belong in an encyclopedia either (I'm guessing this is the argument you're making). Also, the book, to the best of my knowledge, is not anywhere near a "bestseller" and hasn't created much of a debate anywhere. While I think the claims of a popular, if false or unproven, book may fly; this is by no means a popular or notable book. Is Michael Munn a Hollywood historian, an aviation historian, or just a guy from New Jersey who put two and two together and got five, so he decided to write a libelous (once again, that word) book? I'm willing to put this matter up for comment, but please use your common sense. Unsubstantiated "claims" have no place in an encyclopedia. If I still see this up here in a few days, it's going for comment. Volatile 23:56, 28 September 2005 (UTC)
  • unsubstantiated: your opinion
  • libelous: your opinion

Why does only your opinion count? I guess someone will have to read the book, and let us know if Munn's sources are reliable. Volatile, have you read it? I am not trying to defend the author or his work, I do not know either of them. I am just trying to defend the right to add "new claims" because they are interesting, as long as such claims they are labeled as "claims". I see no harm there. Beanbatch 20:11, 29 September 2005 (UTC)

I have no connection to the Munn author. I found this little bio on him here: [2] This is not his first book on Hollywood. He has several. Beanbatch 20:24, 29 September 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Avoided making (fiction) War movies

I think it's worth noting that (Brigadier General) James Stewart, (combat veteran), avoided making (fiction) War movies during most of his career. There were two notable exceptions: (1) "How the West Was Won (film)", where he is just a dead body on the operating table at the battle of Shiloh, Tennessee, (1862). (2) "Shenandoah (film)", where he is a man who wants to avoid taking sides in the American Civil War until fate forces him to get involved. He does not kill anyone in the movie,but, he goes through extreme hardship and grief. I do not regard "Strategic Air Command (film)" as war movie,it's more of an attempt to deter war. Considering all the fiction war movies that were made after WWII, it is significant that James Stewart did not appear in any of them.204.80.61.10 18:20, 18 May 2006 (UTC)Bennett Turk

He starred in a war film called The Mountain Road. And he had no problem making right-wing propaganda like The FBI Story. (HarveyCarter 09:51, 10 February 2007 (UTC))

[edit] Vietnam Bombing run untrue

The following appears to be unsubtantiated by every other cite discussing Jimmy Stewart's career. Also, Jimmy Stewart would have been 58 in 1959, which is much too old to be making a bombing run. I deleted it, and also deleted the reference to it later in the paragraph. His final mission for the Air Force was a B-52 Stratofortress bombing run during the Vietnam War —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Musical Socrates (talk • contribs) 23:06, May 19, 2006 (UTC)

It is absolutely true. It is mentioned in Jimmy Stewart, Bomber Pilot by Starr Smith, who served with Stewart in WWII and knew him in the postyear wars. Stewart flew along as an observer and didn't participate in the mission. The book even has a photo of Stewart in the pre-mission briefing and another standing next to the B-52 after the mission. I have my copy of the book open as I read this. If you want to see more about the book, check this out. --rogerd 03:42, 20 May 2006 (UTC)
According to IMDB: "In 1966, two years before his retirement from the US Air Force Reserve, he requested and was given permission to follow as a non-duty observer on a mission over North Vietnam in a B-52. This has often, specifically on the internet, been mistaken as his last mission as a pilot. He never flew B-52 as a pilot, nor did he fly any combat mission at all as a pilot in Vietnam!"

I think this article should be changed, since now it gives an image that Stewart actually flew several missions during the Vietnam war. Latre 19:02, 20 May 2006 (UTC)

fixed. Night Gyr 01:19, 24 May 2006 (UTC)

I don't think anybody should hold this against Stewart, because he was only following orders, and although he was a right-wing Republican he did not like violence.

[edit] Blacklisting

The article should mention how Stewart strongly and actively supported McCarthyism, as well as spying for the FBI. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 195.93.21.105 (talk • contribs) 03:21, May 26, 2006 (UTC)

If you have any evidence, please add it to the article and cite your sources --rogerd 12:31, 26 May 2006 (UTC)

From imdb:

Along with his friends John Wayne and Ward Bond, Stewart strongly supported blacklisting in Hollywood during the late 1940s. According to Michael Munn's biography "Jimmy Stewart: The Truth Behind the Legend" (2004), he worked as a secret agent for FBI leader 'J Edgar Hoover' , rooting out suspected communists from Hollywood. Hoover knew the actor was a right- wing Republican and asked him to work undercover for the FBI in 1947, because Stewart's status as a famous, decorated war hero and officer in the American Army Air Force Reserve Corps made him the perfect choice to help flush out subversives in LA, Stewart's late wife, Gloria Stewart, recalled. The biography claims the star was so keen to assist Hoover, he spied on his closest friends, including Cary Grant and director Frank Capra, who had directed him in It's a Wonderful Life (1946). Stewart's wife recalled, "Jim went barefoot up the mountain and saw the burning bush - only God's name was 'J Edgar Hoover' . When Hoover realized Jim was willing to fight crime he played on it. Jim would have done anything to get those gangsters out of town. But, he was concerned about how it would turn out for friends like Cary Grant who'd developed friendships with these people". —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 195.93.21.105 (talk • contribs) 08:10, May 28, 2006 (UTC)

Removed the text in question from the article. First, the text is taken directly from IMDB.com - plagiarism. Then, the book sourced is of a dubious nature to begin with. With a little research, I've found that Michael Munn has published several "exposé" books/articles with little actual merit. On top of all of this, the book hasn't even been published yet. How can any statements on Wikipedia be sourced to this work if they can't be looked up and examined? The fact that "Barricade Books," the publisher, is a fairly new independent publisher who has published similar types of books ("The Real Law and Order," "The End of Food," ...) doesn't bode well for the authenticity of Munn's claims. Find a real source, preferably government documentation or a non-fiction book or article from an established author, and the statements would have some legitimacy. Volatile 06:09, 30 May 2006 (UTC)

The book has been published in the United Kingdom, and nobody has disputed it accuracy because they know Stewart was a right-wing activist.

[edit] Popularity of James Stewart in the Web

Hi,

If you want to know the popularity of James Stewart on the Web, look at http://www.thepoplist.com/card.data/James%20Stewart_1414376.htm He is ranked as 69th. Sportsperson and 943th. Popular personality on the internet. In the sports he is behind David Smith but ahead of John Ford ….. too bad! The site says his popularity has been falling and growing since last week. he also happens to be 80th. Aquarius

Seeya!


[edit] Question about the First Film Unit association

I haven't changed the reference yet, but Starr Smith's biography "Jimmy Stewart : Bomber Pilot" does not support the statement that Stewart aligned himself with the First Film Unit in Hollywood. The only public appearances after he went into flight school were limited appearances scheduled by the air corps. "Stewart appeared several times on network radio with Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy. Shortly after Pearl Harbor . he performed with Orson Welles, Edward G. Robinson, Walter Huston, and Lionel Barrymore in an all-network radio program called "We Hold These Truths," dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the Bill of Rights. But mostly, Stewart's days and nights were spent preparing for his upcoming flight tests, ground school, and academic examinations for his commission." (Page 31-32, softbound edition).

And, later, "Still, the war was moving on. For the thirty-six-year-old Stewart, combat duty seemed far away and unreachable, and he had no clear plans for the future. But then a rumor that Stewart would be taken off flying status and assigned to making training films or selling bonds called for his immediate and decisive action, because what he dreaded most was the hope-shattering spector of a dead end." (Page 49-50) So he appealed to his commander, a pre-war aviator, who understood, and reassigned him to a unit going overseas.

Doesn't sound like Jimmy had ANYTHING to do with the Hollywood unit...

Mark Sublette 04:07, 11 January 2007 (UTC)Mark SubletteMark Sublette 04:07, 11 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Content out of place

Some of the content in the opening few paragraphs is listed twice, both in that opening section and in his biography section. This information, such as his birth location and his architecture interests, should only be present in the biography section. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Fistful of Questions (talk • contribs) 02:01, 14 January 2007 (UTC).

[edit] Sexuality

When Jimmy arrived in Hollywood he had no girlfriend or interest in girls. It was such a worry to studio executives that he was forced to go to a brothel owned by Mayer and find a girl. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 66.212.41.196 (talk) 10:36, 17 January 2007 (UTC).

Yes, it is believed he repressed his homosexuality for most of his life. The preceding unsigned comment was added by HarveyCarter (talk) 01:49, 10 February 2007 (UTC).
He probably was not gay or bi. Even if he was, there is no proof either way now that he is dead (aside from the fact he had a wife and children, which isn't necessarily conclusive). Volatile 00:40, 22 February 2007 (UTC)
Let's just call everybody in history gay and be done with it. --204.126.173.139 17:21, 27 February 2007 (UTC)

Stewart lived with Henry Fonda for years and didn't marry until he was 41. The article should mention his racism. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by JohnRobertsly (talk) 21:24, 5 March 2007 (UTC).

Since he "lived with Henry Fonda for years" that makes Fonda gay, too. Right? Arnold Schwarzenegger didn't marry until he was 39, so I guess that makes him gay? As for "Yes, it is believed he repressed his homosexuality for most of his life" (there seem to be a lot of unsigned comments in this section), I'd think that was a very droll and ironic comment except for the sinister "most." Nice way to imply there are skeletons in the closet. Perhaps he supressed his heterosexuality for part of his life? Gee, isn't this fun? And the less facts there are, the more fun we can have.--Paul 14:00, 6 March 2007 (UTC)

Don't put Stewart on a pedestal. We know for a fact that he was a racist, supported McCarthyism and the Vietnam War, campaigned for Nixon and Reagan, and was as right-wing as John Wayne. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by JohnRobertsly (talk) 19:19, 6 March 2007 (UTC).

Oh, oh. Looks like he was part of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy!--Paul 21:25, 6 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Military rank

A recent post indicated that there was a postumous promotion to Major-General. The Jimmy Stewart Museum which continues to keep up-to-date on any related events, has no knowledge of this. Bzuk 17:09, 3 March 2007 (UTC).

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