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Colonel Stewart (The day Grandpa brought him home for dinner)

posted 16 years ago by wewhodream
12 replies | jump to latest

When James Stewart was a colonel in the Air Force, my maternal grandfather worked as a civilian contractor as a driver at the base where Colonel Stewart was stationed. Even though my grandma was a huge Jimmy Stewart fan, it took Grandpa awhile to make the connection. Colonel Stewart always requested Grandpa as his driver because Grandpa never bothered the colonel for autographs. To my grandpa, he was just "Colonel Stewart." Grandpa would tell Grandma about how conceited he thought the colonel was, because he always wore dark glasses when they went into town, regardless of the weather. Since Grandpa didn't realize Colonel Stewart was a movie star, Grandma had no idea, either.
One day, while driving into town, Grandpa finally asked the colonel why he always wore dark glasses even if it wasn't sunny. Stewart replied that it was so people wouldn't recognize him...I think it was then that it dawned on Grandpa. After the two of them had a laugh at the fact that Grandpa had had no clue who "Colonel Stewart" was, Grandpa told Stewart what a fan Grandma was, and would the Colonel like to come home for dinner...so there's Grandma in the kitchen making dinner, completely unaware of what is about to happen. In walks Grandpa like every other day. "Ma, I brought a guest home for dinner." Grandma looks up to see James Stewart walk through her kitchen door. As far as I know, they had a wonderful evening.

My mom (who died last February) told that story many times over the years.

"You was wrong, Mr. Dunson."

[–] CmdrCody 16 years ago

Thanks for that very cool story.

CmdrCody

[–] bgailey-1 16 years ago

Jimmy Stewart retired as a General from the Air Force. You won't find the likes of him in todays so-called movie stars.
Bob from Hawaii

[–] ScarletPimpernel64 15 years ago

What a neat story.

"So what else is on your mind besides 100 proof women, 90 proof whiskey, and 14 karat gold?"

[–] Ariane67 14 years ago

Thank you so much for sharing this lovely story !
As a huge James Stewart fan too, I would have be so delighted to be besides your Grandma in this kitchen ;-)
All my warmest thoughts to you and your family - and many thanks again ^_^

"Don't act, be !" (Kate Winslet)

[–] wewhodream 14 years ago

Thank you very much!

"You was wrong, Mr. Dunson." --Walter Brennan to John Wayne, "Red River."

[–] Electric-Eyes 14 years ago

What a lovely story! Thanks so much for sharing this.

*****************

[–] wewhodream 14 years ago

Thanks! I love to tell it.

"You was wrong, Mr. Dunson." --Walter Brennan to John Wayne, "Red River."

[–] themadride 11 years ago

That was great to read.

[–] moonpuppy_ver1-1 9 years ago

Great story, thanks for sharing this.

He was a Man's man that's for sure. He was already a big hollywood star when he enlisted as a private in the Army Air Corps. He could have done anything he wanted, even avoided service (like some hero stars did). No he went into one of the most dangerous jobs that the Air Corp had, flying bombers where 75% of the crews did not make it back during the early years.

He'll always be my Hero.

[–] mikeos3 8 years ago

Yes. John Wayne famously spent the war in makeup.

[–] jawebster2000 9 years ago

Reminds me of the story Maureen O'Hara told about John Wayne on Turner Classic Movies. Seems she and Wayne were at a gathering where Wayne had too much to drink. O'Hara was assigned the job of taking her friend, the sleeping Wayne home. On the way, Wayne suddenly wakes up and shouts to O'Hara, "Stop here!". Wayne gets out of the car, walks up to this house with O'Hara following right behind. Wayne pounds on the front door and then when an older couple opens the door, Wayne yells, "I want a drink!" The astonished couple gives him a glass of their best, Wayne takes a swig, says, "Thanks" and with O'Hara in tow, leaves. I wonder just how many times that couple told THAT story to their friends over the years!

[–] carychrysler-65-572512 9 years ago

Yeah. I remember that story. Must have been a real shock for those people. Great stories everywhere.