With 'You can't take it with you' (1938) and 'Mr Smith goes to washington' (1939) both showing Jimmy Stewart at his best in these 'Everyman' nice guy roles why use Gary Cooper in a film only 2 years later? Jimmy Stewart had already demonstrated how effective he was in these roles which was then later cemented in 'It's a wonderful Life' in 1947,
why do you think he wasn't used?
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Stewart joined the service a year prior to Pearl Harbour. Perhaps he wasn't available. I am guessing his 1941 MGM releases had been filmed earlier.
You can lead a horse to water, but a pencil must be lead.
In addition, Cooper was a tremendous hit in Capra's "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" (1936) and was in fact the first choice to play the lead in "Mr. Smith", so Capra obviously had confidence in his ability to play this type of role.
Plus, I'm guessing Cooper was still considered a bigger box-office draw than Stewart as of 1941, as he had been a big star since the late 1920s, while Stewart didn't really take off with the public until "Mr. Smith."
Simple, it's Gary Cooper! He was just in Sgt. York, big ticket item, also, he conveys the everyman just as well as Stewart does.
I like both actors, but, to me, Cooper can portray the everyman in a different way than Stewart. To me, Cooper seems more genuine. Look at Pride of the Yankees as an example. In most of Stewart's films, he always seems to be up to something. It's kind of hard to put into words, but it's almost like I don't quite trust Stewart. Cooper, however, really seems to pull it off.
What do you think?
Capra himself noted that Cooper could project integrity, but not ideas. That was Stewart's province. "Long John" needs to be overwhelmed by the movement, and not have the smarts (just the integrity) to overcome Norton. Stewart as Smith is naive but intelligent. Cooper is perfect as Deeds and Doe, Stewart carries the day as Smith and George Bailey. The roles are not interchangeable.
"Howdy, Bub"
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I agree with previous posts that Cooper was a bigger star, had already done Mr. Deeds, and that Stewart was probably already in the Army at this point...I also think there's another reason why John Doe is more of a Cooper role - in that I don't really see Jimmy Stewart pulling off the down and out hobo character in the way Cooper (who had more of the cowboy in him) did.
And I don't think Cooper could have pulled off all of Stewart's roles...The Philadelphia Story being an excellent example of perfect casting.
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It was Lancaster who insisted on giving the Lincoln Center tribute to Jimmy Stewart in Washington in 1983 before honored dignitaries including then-President Reagan. Lancaster gave a moving live presentation and made an accompanying filmed/taped review of Jimmy's career. Burt did this because -- he hated him?????
"Mr. Holmes, they were the footprints of a gigantic hound!"
Jimmy Stewart's type of everyman was bright-eyed and optimistic. The everyman in this movie is just an average, bumbling, plain-spoken Joe (and much more morally ambiguous). Perhaps Stewart could have carried this part, but I really think it plays more to Gary Cooper's strenghts.
sharepuzzow:
You're exactly right. Cooper, with his more wooden demeanor than Stewart, was closer to the everyman thrust into leading a movement when all he really wanted was a hot meal and a job. Stewart would have been more like Ransom Stoddard in Liberty Valance or Ben McKenna in The Man Who Knew Too Much - stuck in a situation he didn't want but willing to do something. Even in Harvey, Stewart seemed to be in command of things more than the other "sane" characters. Cooper, more laid back and with a stiffer demeanor than Stewart, was perfect as John Doe.
Capra said that there was only one actor to play John Willoughby, Gary Cooper.
Meet John Doe was an independent film and he showed Cooper the outline, no script yet. Cooper agreed without a script and told Capra to use his name to raise the financing.
The film was shot in 1940, long before Stewart enlisted. Capra wanted Cooper and no-one else.
After the war, Capra owned the rights to Westward The Women, wanted Cooper (Robert Taylor later did it, without Capra); wanted Cooper and Myrna Loy for State Of The Union (Tracy and Hepburn did it); owned the rights to Friendly Persuasion, sold them to William Wyler (Cooper again).
Capra and Cooper were very good friends, from the mid-thirties to Cooper's death in 1961.
I think Gary is the wonderful choice to play that part. Stewart is not bad but too young, he can be a great Jeff Smith, but not JohnDoe. I thank god for Gary playing this part.
shareSimple...Cooper is who Capra had in mind for the role all along...why second guess a genius?
shareThe character of Long John Willoughby is basically an expanded version of Longfellow Deeds. I could watch these two films back to back and believe they were long lost brothers. I couldn't see Jean Arthur in Stanwycks role either. Cooper and Stanwyck are living these characters, not acting them. Roles like that you take for integrity, not money.
"Great theater makes you smile. Outstanding theater may make you weep."