The Shop Around the Corner (1940): James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan

     Based on Miklos Laszlo's 1937 Hungarian play "Parfumerie", The Shop Around the Corner (1940) was directed by Ernst Lubitsch, as has been proven to have a lasting influence... including numerous Musical-version remakes, Broadway treatments and television shows inspired by the characters. The Shop Around the Corner also provided the plot-inspiration for You've Got Mail (1998), starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. A great example of an unwitting love story, The Shop Around the Corner is an undeniable Classic. The cast is superb and unforgettable, including James Stewart, Margaret Sullavan, Frank Morgan, Joseph Schildkraut, Felix Bressart and William Tracy. 

     Alfred Kralik (James Stewart) and Klara Novak (Margaret Sullavan) both work at a store in Budapest, Hungary owned by Hugo Matuschek (Frank Morgan)... 

The Shop Around the Corner. 1940: James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan

     Alfred and Klara don't get along... 

The Shop Around the Corner. 1940: James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan

     and sometimes, they find themselves feuding... 

The Shop Around the Corner. 1940: James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan

     Which is all the more ironic, because each has been unknowingly corresponding with the other via love letters, arranged through a personal ad in the newspaper... 

The Shop Around the Corner. 1940: James Stewart

     They are falling in love with one another through the correspondence, without knowing that each is the other person behind the letters... 

The Shop Around the Corner. 1940: James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan

     which makes it all the more awkward and surprising... 

The Shop Around the Corner. 1940: James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan

     when they arrange a first date on Christmas Eve...

The Shop Around the Corner. 1940: James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan

Bend of the River (1952): James Stewart and Julia Adams

     Directed by Anthony Mann, Bend of the River (1952) was his second Western collaboration with actor James Stewart. The story concerns a tough cowboy who escorts a confiscated shipment of supplies to settlers in need in 19th Century Oregon. The scenery and cinematography are breathtaking. James Stewart is great in the lead role. Julie Adams (billed as Julia) is beautiful in her role, her lovely visage on fine display. The rest of the cast is good as well, including Rock Hudson and Arthur Kennedy.

Bend of the River. 1952: Julia Adams and James Stewart

Bend of the River. 1952: James Stewart

Bend of the River. 1952: Julia Adams

Bend of the River. 1952: Julia Adams

Bend of the River. 1952: Julia Adams

Bend of the River. 1952: James Stewart

Bend of the River. 1952: Julia Adams and James Stewart

Bend of the River. 1952

Bend of the River. 1952: Julia Adams

Bend of the River. 1952: Julia Adams and Rock Hudson

Bend of the River. 1952: James Stewart

Bend of the River. 1952: James Stewart

"Bend of the River"- movie trailer

The Philadelphia Story (1940): Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn and James Stewart

     Directed by George Cukor, based on the play by Philip Barry, The Philadelphia Story (1940) remains an undisputed Classic. Sparking with witty dialogue, the story concerns a socialite whose wedding plans are jeopardized by her ex-husband and two tabloid reporters. Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn are excellent in the lead roles. James Stewart won a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for his performance. The rest of the cast is great as well, including Ruth Hussey, John Howard and Roland Young.

The Philadelphia Story. 1940: Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn

The Philadelphia Story. 1940: Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn and James Stewart

The Philadelphia Story. 1940: Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn and James Stewart

The Philadelphia Story. 1940: Katharine Hepburn and James Stewart

The Philadelphia Story. 1940: Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn and James Stewart

The Philadelphia Story. 1940: Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn and James Stewart

The Philadelphia Story. 1940: Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn and James Stewart

The Philadelphia Story. 1940: Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn and James Stewart

The Philadelphia Story. 1940: Katharine Hepburn

"The Philadelphia Story"- movie trailer

It's a Wonderful Life (1946): James Stewart and Frank Capra

     Produced and directed by Frank Capra, It's a Wonderful Life (1946) was a box office disappointment upon it's initial release, but has since become one of the most beloved films of all time. The story concerns a selfless man named George Bailey, who gave up on his own dreams in favor of helping others, and plans to commit suicide... and the guardian angel that is sent to show him how truly important and meaningful his life has been. Classic moments run from start to finish, and the film has become a Christmas tradition. The cast is superb, including James Stewart, Lionel Barrymore, Donna Reed, Thomas Mitchell and Henry Travers.

It's a Wonderful Life. 1946

It's a Wonderful Life. 1946: James Stewart

It's a Wonderful Life. 1946: James Stewart

It's a Wonderful Life. 1946: Lionel Barrymore

It's a Wonderful Life. 1946: James Stewart

It's a Wonderful Life. 1946: James Stewart

It's a Wonderful Life. 1946: James Stewart

It's a Wonderful Life. 1946: James Stewart

It's a Wonderful Life. 1946: James Stewart

It's a Wonderful Life. 1946: James Stewart

Pot O' Gold (1941): James Stewart and Paulette Goddard

     Despite it's lame title and somewhat less than stellar musical numbers, Pot O' Gold (1941) does possess some redeeming qualities... mainly Jimmy Stewart as his likable everyman character, and the beautiful Paulette Goddard as his love interest.

     Jimmy Stewart plays a music store owner in a small town. The business is doing poorly and is on the verge of being closed for back payments.

Pot O' Gold. 1941: James Stewart

     When Jimmy's uncle, a well-to-do factory owner, offers him a job, he is left with little choice but to take it. He journeys to the big City, accepting his new role, but still carrying his love for music.

Pot O' Gold. 1941: James Stewart

     Turns out there is a feud going on between his uncle and the neighbors of the factory, who own a dwelling his uncle wishes to acquire so he can expand the factory. These neighbors play loud band music and constantly drive the uncle nuts. One of the residents of this house, the lovely Paulette Goddard, quickly captures Jimmy's interest.

Pot O' Gold. 1941: James Stewart and Paulette Goddard

     Lot's of amusing scenarios take place (including Jimmy himself, trying to convince his uncle he is going insane).

Pot O' Gold. 1941: James Stewart

     In the end, the likable Jimmy must figure out a way for these neighborly tensions to cease, so that they all might prosper and he can have the girl.

Pot O' Gold. 1941: James Stewart and Paulette Goddard

Pot O' Gold. 1941: James Stewart and Paulette Goddard

Rope (1948): Alfred Hitchcock and James Stewart

     Rope (1948) was one of Hitchcock's experimental pieces, one in which he tested the technical abilities of the camera to keep a story running seamlessly. Yes, the goal was to make the film appear to be one continuous shot... and it works, especially considering the technical limitations of the time. The hour and a half length of the movie required changing film reels several times. So, to make it as least noticeable as possible, Hitchcock chose to change reels while focused on a solid, dark stationary object (the back of a man's coat, the top of a trunk). This gives Rope the overall tense feeling of claustrophobia, as the viewer does not leave the apartment and the events transpire in real time. 

    Two young men, Brandon and Phillip, murder David, a friend they deemed to be intellectually inferior and unnecessary. After strangling David, they place his body in a trunk in their apartment... 

Rope. 1948. Alfred Hitchcock

     They committed the crime for the "Art" of it, and are proud at how perfect the act transpired. They are so proud, in fact, that they have decided to host a party with the trunk containing David's body serving as the buffet. Amongst those invited are David's girlfriend... 

Rope. 1948. Alfred Hitchcock

     as well as the dead man's parents... 

Rope. 1948. Alfred Hitchcock

     One guest, however, was invited for the sole purpose of testing exactly how perfect their crime really was. Rupert Cadell (James Stewart) is their former teacher, and the one person smart enough to figure it all out... 

Rope. 1948. Alfred Hitchcock: James Stewart

     If he does not suspect, then Brandon and Phillip have truly "created" something special. Rupert does suspect something is amiss, though, but is unsure exactly what... His suspicion grows through subtle questioning... 

Rope. 1948. Alfred Hitchcock: James Stewart

     and Brandon and Phillip are growing uneasy at how shrewd Rupert really is... 

Rope. 1948. Alfred Hitchcock: James Stewart

     The slightest slip-up will result in them being caught. Tension is growing... 

Rope. 1948. Alfred Hitchcock: James Stewart

     Have they committed the perfect murder, or has cockiness proved to be their downfall...

Rope. 1948. Alfred Hitchcock: James Stewart