It was a wonderful life.

September 30, 2025 -- Mom asked me awhile back to visit the Jimmy Stewart Museum in Indiana, PA. It was almost a 3 hour drive, so I wasn't in any rush to go. Now, I don't know why I waited so long. It was excellent museum. Jimmy Stewart was an amazing man, a true movie star and generally good guy. How could you not like his "all-shucks" persona and easy draw.

Jimmy Stewart Museum and statue in Indiana, PA

Young Jimmy Stewart (b. 1908, same year as my paternal grandfather) was raised in Indiana, Pennsylvania. He was a boy scout. His father owned a hardware store and had hoped that his only son would take it over after his university studies -- but that was not to be. While Stewart attended Mercersburg Academy and majored in architecture at Princeton University, he caught the acting bug and his life moved in a completely different direction. 

Jimmy Stewart, the movie star

Like many in his generation, I knew that Jimmy Stewart served in WWII, but I didn't know the full extent of his service. Stewart was already a pilot when he enlisted in 1941. He had learned to fly in the Civil Air Patrol and had already logged 400 hours in the air. As a combat pilot, Stewart flew over 20 missions and was awarded many medals (too numerous to list) for his service. He was appointed brigadier general in 1959 and retired from the US Air Force in 1968 at age 60.

My favorite Jimmy Stewart movie

Jimmy Stewart made 80 movies between 1935 and 1991.  He was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning for his role in the Philadelphia Story, with Cary Grant. Stewart played a wide variety of roles and acted in many movie genres. My favorite Jimmy Stewart movie is the Rare Breed, with Maureen O'Hara. It is about the introduction of Hereford cattle (a bull named "Vindicator") to the American West (Texas). George Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life is probably his most iconic role. The film is considered one of the greatest of movies of all time and a "must-see" at Christmas time. 

Mom and I plan to embark on a Jimmy Stewart movie binge. She has seen many of his movies. I have not. In particular, I/we want to see Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Flight of the Phoenix, Harvey, and the Cheyenne Social Club.  That's a good start.