Thinking of the incredible depth, scope and variety of the roles James Stewart played, in my opinion he was the greatest actor this country ever produced. His career was interrupted by real service in WWII and he retired a Brigadier General in the Air Force reserves. I love Jimmy Stewart. The American Film Institute placed him third on the list of greatest 100 actors of the 20th century behind the (in my opinion) one-dimensional Bogart in first and Cary Grant second. Grant was wonderful, but he lacked the vast variety of roles Stewart could play.
I agree emphatically. A (so-called) serious actor like Lawrence Olivier gets more accolades, but James Stewart exceeds them all.
The stage and screen are different: On the silver screen, Stewart’s command of facial expression, tonal emphasis, timing and phrasing are unparalleled.
He can say it all without saying anything. A critic once rightly pointed to the scene in It’s a Wonderful Life as proof. He has just had his hopes of escape dashed, but he chooses to sacrifice his goals for his brother. His head and heart are there to see in those few seconds, without words.
When you add that he could do comedy, tragedy, character, lead, and every major genre, he is simply the greatest.
The tyranny of recency has people saying Harrison Ford or Tom Hanks is as good or better. I reject that.
There is a reason that a favorite of John Ford was also a favorite of Alfred Hitchcock.