James Stewart stars in Twelve O'Clock High?

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What if Sy Bartlett and Beirne Lay Jr. convinced actor James Stewart to appear in the film version of Twelve O'clock High?

I've read that Stewart never really publicized his war record but what if he decided to make this movie to help it tell the real story of the early days of the 8th Air Force in WWII. While Stewart was in B-24s instead of B-17s he still basically lived the events of the movie along with Bartlett and Lay who were also in England.

Not to take anything away from Gary Merrill's performance but could Stewart play the role of Colonel Keith Davenport the original commander of the 918th? I can't picture Stewart as the hard charging Frank Savage. Also I think the public would identify more with Stewart as the commander who became to close to his men.

Do you think it would help Stewart with his post war career?
 
Bushel and a Peck

Gregory Peck would have a sudden end to his career.
Replace Gary Merrill, OK. Replace Jimmy Stewart, uh oh. :eek: The backlash wouldn't be good.
 
Do you think it would help Stewart with his post war career?

I don't think Jimmy Stewart needed a boost to his career. The Davenport character wasn't a role I'd personally like to see Stewart portray.

Two other actors mentioned for the lead were Clark Gable, who wanted it, and John Wayne, who didn't, if rumors are to be believed. John Wayne would have been awful, just awful. Gable would have been Gable.
 
I don't think Jimmy Stewart needed a boost to his career. The Davenport character wasn't a role I'd personally like to see Stewart portray.

Two other actors mentioned for the lead were Clark Gable, who wanted it, and John Wayne, who didn't, if rumors are to be believed. John Wayne would have been awful, just awful. Gable would have been Gable.

What I mean by helping Stewart's career is helping him go into more mature roles. I picked the Davenport role because maybe Stewart would not want to take a smaller role. It would be interesting if he acted as a technical advisor on the film coaching Gregory Peck on how to be a bomb group commander.
 

jahenders

Banned
Gable would have been Gable, but he DID live those events to. He was an aerial gunner in 8th AF. He had a special role in making films, but he did fly some combat missions and knew the men and equipment well.

I don't think Jimmy Stewart needed a boost to his career. The Davenport character wasn't a role I'd personally like to see Stewart portray.

Two other actors mentioned for the lead were Clark Gable, who wanted it, and John Wayne, who didn't, if rumors are to be believed. John Wayne would have been awful, just awful. Gable would have been Gable.
 
What if Sy Bartlett and Beirne Lay Jr. convinced actor James Stewart to appear in the film version of Twelve O'clock High?

I've read that Stewart never really publicized his war record but what if he decided to make this movie to help it tell the real story of the early days of the 8th Air Force in WWII. While Stewart was in B-24s instead of B-17s he still basically lived the events of the movie along with Bartlett and Lay who were also in England.

Not to take anything away from Gary Merrill's performance but could Stewart play the role of Colonel Keith Davenport the original commander of the 918th? I can't picture Stewart as the hard charging Frank Savage. Also I think the public would identify more with Stewart as the commander who became to close to his men.

Do you think it would help Stewart with his post war career?
 
Jimmy Stewart before and after.jpg
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/10/06/15/3924843600000578-0-image-a-82_1475764761989.jpg

ViperJock: Stream of consciousness. Hope this makes sense. 2 year old post. Hope this finds you.

Stewart's wartime experience was chronicled in "MISSSION" ... recommend. He had many hours before enlisting as a private, and THAT required great fortitude to beat the studio's concerns and the army's concern about his low weight. General Stewart was qualified as both a B-17 and B-24 trainer. He picked B-24's because "which one's going first." He avoided (his Wing Cdr was very helpful) as much press as possible but he aged 15 years in 2 years. Look at the pics ... easy to find. He had FLAK shoot a hole in between his legs in a B-24.

Stewart was not overly sympathetic. His PA-Dutch would not have permitted him. He knew his grandfather, a Civil War veteran. His father was both Spanish-American and WWI vet. Yes, he said he would not take his due promotion to major if others below him were not promoted as well but that was just Stewart. In the end ... they got theirs, he got his. (Same wing commander)

He flew many missions that were not counted but eventually was grounded due to the kind of stress Gen. Savage (Peck) exhibited. Stewart, like many others, didn't ride their fame. Eventually, he lost a step-son in Vietnam and flew B-52 ride alongs in Vietnam but didn't want it known. They were "unlogged flights," might be the term.

He eventually became the hard charger many saw in his more mature westerns. All a matter of taste. There was a stylized nature to the acting back then, less so after the War, but Peck showed some of it, others did, too. The "Old Man" in charge of the 8th Air Force comes to mind. I think Stewart could have pulled off Savage (or Merrill) as he pulled off "Strategic Air Command" but his prominence might have preclude Merrill, though he could have played the commanding general.

All in all, the material was so good that it would have been hard to mess it up. I'm actually glad, though, that they didn't pick John Wayne. He was good in "They Were Expendable" but he would have smothered the other actors.
 
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