Academy pays tribute to Jimmy Stewart

May 27, 2008 by Ian Evans

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will be honoring Academy Award®-winning actor James Stewart in a special centennial tribute on Thursday, June 12, at 8 p.m. at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. The celebration will feature film clips and onstage conversations with Stewart’s friends and colleagues including actresses Shirley Jones, Ann Rutherford and Carroll Baker as well as daughters Kelly Stewart Harcourt and Judy Stewart.

Stewart received five Academy Award nominations and won the Oscar® for his portrayal of Mike Connor in The Philadelphia Story (1940). His other nominated roles were in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), It’s a Wonderful Life (1946), Harvey (1950) and Anatomy of a Murder (1959).

“Characters like Jefferson Smith and George Bailey are woven into the fabric of America’s film history,” said Academy President Sid Ganis. “Jimmy Stewart made it all look so effortless.”

Stewart also served in the Air Force during World War II (rising to the rank of Brigadier General), an act that led many to volunteer for service. In 1984, the Academy bestowed Stewart one final award, its Honorary Award (an Oscar statuette), the citation of which read, “To James Stewart, for his fifty years of memorable performances. For his high ideals both on and off the screen. With the respect and affection of his colleagues.”

Tickets to A Centennial Tribute to James Stewart are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid ID. Tickets are available for purchase by mail, at the Academy box office, or online at www.oscars.org. Doors open at 7 p.m. All seating is unreserved.

The Samuel Goldwyn Theater is located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. For additional information, visit www.oscars.org or call (310) 247-3600.

In conjunction with the tribute, the UCLA Film & Television Archive will present a retrospective Stewart screening series at the Billy Wilder Theater in Westwood. For more information, please call the Archive at (310) 206-8013 or visit www.cinema.ucla.edu.

Friday, May 23, at 7:30 p.m.

  • Vivacious Lady (1938)
  • Born to Dance (1936)

Saturday, May 24, at 7:30 p.m.

  • It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
  • The Shop around the Corner (1940)

Saturday, May 31, at 7:30 p.m.

  • Vertigo (1958)
  • Rope (1948)

Sunday, June 1, at 7 p.m.

  • Call Northside 777 (1948)
  • The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)

Saturday, June 7, at 2 p.m.

  • The Naked Spur (1953)
  • The Man from Laramie (1955)

Sunday, June 8, at 7 p.m.

  • Harvey (1950)
  • The Glenn Miller Story (1954)