Before he became a Hollywood legend, James Stewart trained for war in Idaho
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James Stewart was already one of Hollywood’s biggest stars when he arrived at Gowen Field, a military base near Boise, in January 1943. But he wasn’t there to make a movie. He was preparing to fight a war.
At 33, Stewart had reached the height of his acting career. Known for his unmistakable drawl and everyman screen persona, he had already won an Academy Award for his performance in “The Philadelphia Story.” But after enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps in March 1941, Stewart put Hollywood on hold to serve his country. He received his commission about a month after the attack on Pearl Harbor, according to the National Museum of the United States Air Force.
A new movie chronicling Stewart’s extraordinary transformation from Hollywood leading man to World War II combat pilot arrived in theaters Friday. In “Jimmy,” actor KJ Apa portrays the Pennsylvania native as he navigates the challenges of military service and war.
What the film doesn’t cover, however, is Stewart’s eight-month stint in Idaho.
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On this episode of “It’s Worth Mentioning,” Dylan Almendral, director of the Idaho Military Museum at Gowen Field, joins host Rett Nelson to explore Stewart’s time in Boise and the remarkable story behind it. They discuss the circumstances that brought the Hollywood star to Idaho, his accomplishments as a pilot before entering military service and how his experiences during the war shaped him long after he returned home.
Almendral also recounts how a meeting with legendary filmmaker Frank Capra helped bring Stewart back to Hollywood — setting the stage for what would become one of the most beloved performances of his career.
Stewart’s story is much bigger than the silver screen. It’s a fascinating look at a Hollywood icon who traded movie sets for the cockpit and answered his country’s call when it mattered most.
“Jimmy” is rated PG-13 and is now playing in theaters nationwide. No screenings have been listed in eastern Idaho. Watch the trailer below.
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