James Stewart became known as one of America’s most beloved men from the 1930s through the 1960s. His filmography is exceptionally impressive, starring in such iconic pictures as It’s a Wonderful Life, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and Harvey. He even won an Oscar for Best Actor in 1940 for the Philadelphia Story.
His films are still shown today – with How The West Was Won showing on BBC 2 at 1:30pm.
But behind the scenes the life of the American hero was a scandal. He dated many women who worked in his films. And in 1939, things went wrong for the star.
Stewart was cast opposite Marlene Dietrich in Destry Rides Again. At the time, this was a match made in heaven, as the German-born actress was also on her way to success in Hollywood.
Although she has only been nominated for one Academy Award, in 1999 she was named “The Greatest Female Screen Legend in Classic Hollywood Cinema” by the American Film Institute. When Dietrich arrived on the set of Destry Rides Again, Stewart closed his eyes on her.
The pair reportedly indulged themselves in a “steamy” relationship that had both actors obsessed with the entire time on set. But, given the relationship, Stewart didn’t think much of their time together.
Years later, he said, “That was a long time ago, in another life. But yeah, we had some fun together. Nothing serious, just horse riding.”
But it was much more dangerous than that. This was proven during their scenes together in the movie.
Stewart seemed “visibly” excited at one point during filming, according to the film’s director, George Marshall.
He noted that during a photo shoot in one of his passionate love scenes, Stewart became “obviously sexy” by Dietrich. The director had no choice but to call a “cut” during filming so Stewart could compose himself.
READ MORE: James Stewart’s Heartbreaking Final Words on Henry Fonda
Stewart was apparently strong in his suggestions to Dietrich that he should go to the doctor and have an abortion.
Orson Welles – Dietrich’s friend and colleague in Hollywood – took Dietrich for the operation.
It was around this time that Stewart separated from Dietrich. An act she considered “sin”.
According to Michael Moon’s book, Jimmy Stewart: The Truth Behind the Myth, Dietrich was furious about their split.
She even made up some stories about him.
Dietrich’s friend, Burgess Meredith, who died in 1997, said in the book, “The one who started these rumors was Dietrich. I think she considered it an unpardonable sin when Jim told her it was over.”
After Dietrich and Stewart split, they acted together on some other films, but they never lit their own flame.
After ten years of their relationship, Stewart married for the first and only time. He married Gloria Hatrick MacLean, with whom he had four children. Gloria died in 1994. Stewart died just three years later, in 1997, of a pulmonary embolism.
Dietrich died just a few years ago, in 1992, after suffering from kidney failure at the age of 90.
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