Hank and Jim: The Fifty-Year Friendship of Henry Fonda and James Stewart
Category: Books,Politics & Social Sciences,Social Sciences
Hank and Jim: The Fifty-Year Friendship of Henry Fonda and James Stewart Details
Review “[A] remarkably absorbing, supremely entertaining joint biography of two Hollywood legends.” Author: Noah Isenberg Source: The New York Times Book Review"An absorbing dual portrait of two riveting, contrasting performers who were best friends for more than 50 years." Source: The Wall Street Journal“We love Hank Fonda and Jimmy Stewart already. They were beloved actors in a beloved age. So putting them either side of an ampersand seems natural. But what Scott Eyman does is to say, well, pay attention – these were two difficult, lonely, inarticulate guys who could seem alarming and chilly. But they were friends and Eyman has told their story like a movie, with humor, pathos and enchantment. This is not two biopics hitched together. It’s a love story for guys who never mentioned or even noticed love.” Author: David Thomson, author of The Biographical Dictionary of Film and Warner Bros: The Story of an American Movie Studio"[A] smart, generous chronicle." Author: Louis Bayard Source: The Washington Post"Chronicles the friendship between Fonda and Stewart in a charming, folksy style." Author: Gary M. Kramer Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer"Henry Fonda and Jimmy Stewart were two of the most brilliant stars of Hollywood’s golden age. They were also the best of friends, despite marked differences in their approach to life, love, family and politics. Scott Eyman, one of our finest film historians, presents an intimate, powerful and bittersweet account of these gifted, complex and troubled men and the world they knew and dominated." Author: Glenn Frankel, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of High Noon: The Hollywood Blacklist and the Making of an American Classic“Scott Eyman has a gift for exploring subjects we think we know, then deepening and enriching that knowledge through diligent research and his gift of observation. This book is no exception. Henry Fonda and James Stewart have never been captured so well, nor has their extraordinary fifty-year friendship.” Author: Leonard Maltin“In his engrossing new book, biographer and film historian Eyman vividly portrays the lives and work of two Hollywood legends. . . . While their long-standing friendship is notable, in tracing their personal lives and accomplishments, Eyman's narrative is even more compelling. He provides a fascinating overview of the industry and the ebbs and flows of his subjects' careers in film, on stage, and eventually TV . . . . An entertaining, richly documented biography that will be appreciated by film and theater scholars as well as fans of these memorable actors.” Source: Kirkus Reviews (starred review)"With the same grace, intimacy, nuance, and thoughtfulness with which he brought John Wayne alive on the page, Scott Eyman conjures the greatness and humanity of two Hollywood giants and the magic spell of their friendship." Author: Patrick McGilligan, author of Young Orson: The Years of Luck and Genius on the Path to Citizen Kane"I had no idea Fonda and Stewart even knew each other, and now I learn two of America's greatest actors were also the greatest of friends. It's gratifying when a gifted writer finds a worthy subject, and Scott Eyman has with Hank and Jim. You have to think both men would have loved the book—although Fonda probably wouldn't have admitted it." Author: Daniel de Visé, author of Andy & Don: The Making of a Friendship and a Classic American TV Show Read more About the Author Scott Eyman has written fifteen books, three of them New York Times bestsellers, including John Wayne: The Life and Legend. His most recent book is Hank and Jim. He has been awarded the William K. Everson Award for Film History by the National Board of Review. He teaches film history at the University of Miami and lives in West Palm Beach with his wife, Lynn. Read more See all Editorial Reviews
Reviews
Excellent read.Best friends Henry Ford and Jimmy Stewart had a lot in common. Tall. Hard working. Decorated war heroes. Suffered hearing loss and depression. Quiet and self-sufficient.Author Scott Eyman interviewed their surviving children so we get new info on their home life.When Henry was in ill health, Jimmy would visit every day and it was the only time Henry would talk.When they were making Cheyenne Social Club together right after Jimmy's stepson Ronald had been killed in Vietnam and Jimmy also facing the coming end of his beloved horse Pie, Henry cheered him up making a watercolor of Pie.Two minor factual quibbles about Stewart's service as B-24 bomber pilot..Page 126. "Flight temperatures could descend to 30 below zero, which made a serious dent in the comfort level of the crew." That's like saying "Summer temperature in Phoenix can rise to 90."Actually the temperature at 30,000 feet could be 60 below zero. If your gun barrel jams and you take your gloves off to unjam it and you touch bare metal, instant frostbite. You fingers freeze to the metal and you will lose them.Page 306. Says Stewart flew 19 bombing missions. Actually it was 20 official missions and more unofficial.Even if you read every book on Jimmy Stewart, you get plenty new here.
