Can you identify this charming star of Capra and Hitchcock films?

James Stewart (1908-1997) is among the most popular stars of Hollywood's Golden Age. The stuttering, modest persona that he conveyed on screen possessed an essential likability that charmed audiences for half a century. According to all reports, the real Jimmy Stewart had much in common with the humble, honorable characters that he portrayed. Launched into stardom by his early collaborations with Frank Capra, in 'You Can't Take It with You' (1938) and 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington' (1939), Stewart put his career on hold to fight in WWII. Initially rejected for being underweight but determined to serve, Stewart bulked up until he was finally accepted into the Air Force in 1941. He served with distinction: at the war's end four years later, Stewart had 20 combat missions, earned multiple medals including Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with Oak Cluster, the Croix de Guerre with Palm and seven Battle Stars and had risen from private to colonel. He remained in the Air Force Reserve for many years after the war, eventually gaining the rank of brigadier general. When he returned to Hollywood, he refused a lavish welcome home party, saying, “Thousands of men in uniform did far more meaningful things.”

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