15. Stewart demonstrated his ability is several film genres in the 1950s
During the 1950s, Jimmy Stewart emerged as a major star in the popular American film genre of westerns. He made several movies in other genres as well, including Harvey. The latter was not as popular on release as it later became. As with Winchester ’73, Stewart took part of the profits rather than a salary, and earned about $200,000 from the film, though he later disparaged his own acting. “I played him a little too dreamily, a little too cute – cute”, he said. The film made a profit, but it did not become popular until many years later, when television made it a classic.
In 1954, he again worked with Alfred Hitchcock in Rear Window. The role required Stewart to remain in a body cast, confined for the most part to a wheelchair as he unraveled a murder mystery. Rear Window was the biggest film of 1954 in terms of box office earnings, topping some impressive competition. Look Magazine’s annual list of the most popular Hollywood stars for 1955 placed Jimmy Stewart at the top, overtaking John Wayne. That same year, Stewart appeared in the title role in The Glenn Miller Story, another popular success which brought critical praise as well. It also boosted the record sales of the late band leader ten years after his death.