James Stewart Collection - Harvey/Mr Smith Goes To Washington/Rear Window/It's A Wonderful Life (Box Set)

Advantages: He presents a man of quiet sincerity
Disadvantages: He plays himself in all roles

...This collection featuring the actor James Stewart showcases all that is sincere in his body of work. Vertigo ( an alfred hitchcock vehicle) is a money that signposts the maincharacters inadequecies but it gets turned around to his advantage. James Stewart played great men such as Glen Miller in the Glen Miller Story or as flyer in the Spirit in St. Louis. He was an accredited pilot who signed up for world war 2. His forays into the classic western still stand as in Shenendoah where he tries to hold a family together while being pursued by both sides during the American civil war. He can do light and sweet as in - Harvey, the classic well-known- It's a wonderful life. His style is one quiet sincerity.... Read review

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Advantages: James Stewart as genteel middle aged obsessive, compulsive viewing
Disadvantages: Requires repeated viewings, may be slow and dated to some

...more used to playing virtuous or uncomplicated characters (Harvey, Mr Smith Goes to Washington, etc). He plays the straightforward former detective as you would expect. But it is his descent through the emotions of love, obsession, guilt, rage and betrayal that catch your eye. His style is that of a genteel, buttoned down middle aged gentleman who is tormented internally to the verge of mental collapse not once, but twice! Even during the film’s climax Scottie just about retains his cool but the Stewart plays the turmoil beneath to perfection. You see it in the torment in his eyes, no scenery chewing or eye rolling just good old fashioned middle aged WASP madness. The picture is entirely Stewart’s – the supporting cast are simply the orbiting satellites to his heavenly, barely noticeable in the scheme of things. Kim Novak does stand out... Read review

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Advantages: Shows One Man Can Make A Difference
Disadvantages: But Only In The Movies

...Jefferson Smith (Jimmy Stewart; It's A Wonderful Life, Vertigo) is a regular guy from rural Montana who believes in democracy, liberty and the ideals encapsulated by American politics. After the death of the senator representing his state, he is chosen by the powers that be to go to Washington to replace him. Seen as an innocent, naive and completely under the thumb yet extremely patriotic yokel; the fat cats that have decided his fate feel comfortable in using him to do their bidding. As bright-eyed Smith heads to the capital to take his place in the U.S senate, he encounters a world far removed from Abraham Lincoln's vision of government of the people, by the people, for the people. Indeed the cynicism and corruptness of the system and the betrayl by Senator Paine (Claude Rains; Casablanca, Lawrence of Arabia), a close friend of Smith... Read review

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