James Stewart's favourite role

I imagine all actors have a favourite role, whether a role they enjoyed playing most or a role they found most challenging or a role they simply have the fondest memories of. In this short, undated note written to a guy named Larry (a fan?), James Stewart tells us what his favourite role was and also mentions his great admiration for director Frank Capra with whom he had worked three times (i.e. You Can't Take It With You (1938), Mr. Smith Goes To Washington (1939) and It's A Wonderful Life (1946)).

Source: Christie's

Transcript:

Dear Larry ——

Thank you for kind letter,

I think my favorite role is George Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life". 

I think the main reason for this is that it was the first picture I was in after being in the war for 4 1/2 years and also I will always have great admiration for Frank Capra.

Sincerely

James Stewart

The 1941 Ziegfeld Girl was Stewart's final film before he joined the US army. Stewart became a bomber pilot in 1943 and received several awards during his military service (right photo: Stewart receives the French Croix de Guerre in 1944). For further reading on Stewart's military service, click here.

On the set of It's a Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stewart and Frank Capra (above), and Stewart as George Bailey in one of his emotional moments (below).