James Stewart today? Tom Hanks!

• Aug 22, 2006

• #1

Pilgrim

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I've thought about this for a while - and IMO, if there is a James Stewart in Hollywood today, I think it's Tom Hanks. I have mentioned this to a number of my friends and they all get that thoughtful look, then nod.

To me, Hanks is the one actor who can be the "everyman" character in just about film. He has a great number of Stewart's characteristics: he is likeable, his looks and stature fit into almost any role, and he manages to find the key elements of the character and disappear into them. He has shown a lot of depth in the roles he has taken on, including Forrest Gump and Road to Perdition, with many stops on the way.

Any agreement or discussion about that?[huh]

 

• Aug 22, 2006

• #2

M

mysterygal

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I feel sort of half and half on this one. Jimmy Stewart was adored by many women as well, where as Tom Hanks is not neccessarily someone you can say the same thing about. What's great about him is that he's very likable, so that, I totally agree with...he's one of those actors that sometimes you wonder why he is famous.

 

• Aug 22, 2006

• #3

Jay

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He's been a wide range of believable characters. I totally agree with ya! Especially now with his elevated status in Hollywood...

 

• Aug 22, 2006

• #4

Maj.Nick Danger

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I'd say so.

For the range of characters he's portrayed.
Is there anyone else in Hollwood today that has this same quality?

 

• Aug 22, 2006

• #5

Pilgrim

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I think his best competition is a very different actor - Anthony Hopkins. He has played a number of very dark, scary roles (with Hannibal the Cannibal at the top of the list) but he has also played many upbeat roles, and is a total chameleon. Anyone who can play Hannibal AND Don Diego De La Vega (Zorro) has incredible range. But Hopkins doesn't rank as high on the "warm fuzzy" scale.

 

• Aug 22, 2006

• #6

M

Mr. Rover

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I liked Hopkins in "Meet Joe Black". I thought he was slightly warm and fuzzy in that movie (if I remember correctly).

 

• Aug 22, 2006

• #7

Caledonia

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How about Ewan McGregor? Range of parts, eg: Trainspotting, Down with Love, The Island, Rogue Trader, Emma, Shallow Grave, A Life Less Ordinary, Star Wars, Black Hawk Down, Young Adam, Big Fish.

And, he's the boy next door, cute and cuddly, can be political or not, cut a dash or not. Ewan's my vote.

 

• Aug 22, 2006

• #8

D

"Doc" Devereux

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Now that's a much better option. I can't stand Hanks, but Ewan McGregor seems to do well in every part I've seen him play.

 

• Aug 22, 2006

• #9

Pilgrim

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Hmmmm..I'm not qualified to have an opinion on Ewan McGregor..I've only seen him in the last Star Wars movie and in Moulin Rouge. I'll agree that he was likeable in both roles, and they were quite different.

 

• Aug 22, 2006

• #10

C

Cabinetman

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The big advantage Jimmy has is his name and characters have been around a whole lot longer than any of our contemporaries. I am not sure that we can say anyone living has reached the iconic status of Jimmy Stewart or Cary Grant or...(pick one). Maybe "icon" is too much for any person, but I think you folks know what I mean.

Is there anyone today who becomes more and more endearing to you, no matter how many times you see him/her in a movie? (or maybe no matter how many times you see the same movie)

 

• Aug 22, 2006

• #11

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Cabinetman

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fftopic:

Hey, Pilgrim, nice microphone!

 

• Aug 22, 2006

• #12

Caledonia

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Um. Ewan McGregor.

 

• Aug 22, 2006

• #13

D

"Doc" Devereux

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Caledonia said:

Um. Ewan McGregor.

Click to expand...

What? Oh. Um. Oops.

Corrected, with my apologies to the gentleman.

Arrrr!

 

• Aug 22, 2006

• #14

herringbonekid

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i think Kyle Machlachlan as dale cooper in 'twin peaks' had some VERY Stewartesque qualites. but Kyle seems to have lost his charm a little, and his career isn't really on the up. if you think of Stewart in 'rear window' or 'vertigo' or 'rope' there was a real intelligence visible, and i don't think Tom Hanks could pull that off. i'm really struggling to think of a comparable actor. if i HAD to remake 'it's a wonderful life' i'd probably cast William H Macy of 'fargo' fame. or Jeff Bridges, though he's getting on a bit now.

 

• Aug 22, 2006

• #15

Pilgrim

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Thanks Cabinetman, I was admiring the Shure mike in your avatar. The RCA 77DX in my Avatar is identical to the one sitting about three feet behind me- including the original factory desk stand. I love how that mike treats my voice!

 

• Aug 23, 2006

• #16

Tony in Tarzana

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I wish I could get our little two-bit TV shopping network to switch to mics like that. The Sennheiser wireless jobs we use are a headache and a half, but I think we probably treat 'em too roughly.

 

• Aug 23, 2006

• #17

Danny L

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It's been a while since I posted here, but had to when I saw Jimmy Stewart mentioned. I don't think there is any U.S. actor that I can cheer for as much as good ol' James Maitland Stewart. Did they guy ever have one bad mark on his reputation?

The most amazing fact is that most people don't even know that he was the FIRST Hollywood actor to volunteer to serve, even before Peal Harbor was attacked. He went on to serve in the Air Force reserves until 1968 retiring as a Brig General! He flew his final combat mission over Vietnam in 1966 in a B-52F. :eusa_clap

He's my Hollywood hero!!!

The first three pictures are of Stewart during a visit to Carswell AFB flying the B-58 Hustler.

The last is Stewart after his final combat mission on a B-52F over Vietnam in 1966.

 

• Aug 23, 2006

• #18

The Wolf

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tricky

It is interesting to compare Hanks with Stewart, George Clooney as today's Clark Gable, for Gary Cooper we have Kevin Costner. At some point, however, we aren't being fair to either side. They each have their own qualities.
I personally would love to be compared to James Stewart but I would also feel like I was being pigeon-holed and not being fully considered.

That said can anyone think of a modern american actor that could do a pratfall flat on their face and come up and still seem suave. That was something that both Cary Grant and William Powell could do. I envy that.

Sincerely,
The Wolf

 

• Aug 23, 2006

• #19

Twitch

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Hanks is a pretty class act overall

 

• Aug 23, 2006

• #20

C

Cabinetman

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Pilgrim said:

Thanks Cabinetman, I was admiring the Shure mike in your avatar. The RCA 77DX in my Avatar is identical to the one sitting about three feet behind me- including the original factory desk stand. I love how that mike treats my voice!

Click to expand...

That, of course, is the current model "Series II". I have a vintage 55, too, but it needs new guts. I believe it's from about '46, or '46 was the last year this particular model was made before Shure went to the smaller body.

C