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Happy Birthday


...to Jimmy Stewart.


If I had to name a favorite actor, it would be James Stewart. As I read through his list of films to list them in this post, I kept saying, "Oh, I love that one...Oh, I love that one, too. Oh...."

I'll start with The Philadelphia Story. There are big names in this film, but Stewart tops them all. Then there's It's A Wonderful Life, Harvey, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, The Shop Around the Corner, Vertigo, Rear Window, Shenandoah, The Man Who Knew Too Much, The Glenn Miller Story, and there are more...

He began his adult life in pursuit of a career as an architect. With all due respect to our architect friend (you know who you are), I am grateful that Jimmy Stewart changed course and headed for the theater instead.

Back in August, I posted an excerpt from Harvey (while I realize Stewart didn't write this brilliant monologue, he delivered it so perfectly it deserves repeating):

Harvey and I sit in the bars...and have a drink or two, play the jukebox. And soon the faces of all the other people, they turn toward mine and they smile.

They're saying, "We don't know your name, mister, but you're a very nice fellow."

Harvey and I...warm ourselves in all these golden moments. We've entered as strangers. Soon we have friends. And they come over and they sit with us, they drink with us they talk to us. And they tell about the big, terrible things they've done... and the big, wonderful things they'll do. Their hopes and their regrets,and their loves and their hates, all very large...because nobody ever brings anything small into a bar.

And then...I introduce them to Harvey. And he's bigger and grander than anything they offer me. And...and when they leave, they leave impressed. The same people seldom come back, but that's...that's envy, my dear.

There's a little bit of envy in the best of us.

Comments

Sassy Sundry said…
Imagine Dive in It's a Wonderful Life....

Happy Birthday, Jimmy.
10:53 AM
Neponset River Bridge Dig said…
You sit around here and you spin your little webs and you think the whole world revolves around you and your money!

Happy Birthday Jimmy!!!!
2:00 PM
Neponset River Bridge Dig said…
Oh and one more thing-

In the whole vast configuration of things, I'd say, you were nothing but a scurvy little spider!
2:05 PM
Scout said…
Sassy, HA! Dive in It's A Wonderful Life! That's a great idea.

Rich, I would have added the "scurvy little spider" if you hadn't. "And that goes for you, too."
2:33 PM
dive said…
I was originally slated for the part, but when they rewrote it with a happy ending without the chainsaw scene I quit and Jimmy stepped in.
5:27 AM
Neponset River Bridge Dig said…
Dive - doesn't he cut off the knewl post with a chainsaw? or maybe that was another movie. hmmmmm
8:01 AM
dive said…
Hee hee, Rich.
8:47 AM
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