(via tcm.com) Throughout decades, we’ve gotten actresses labeled the ‘perfect wife’ or ‘quintessential girl-next-door’ based on their screen personalities, going all the way back to Myrna Loy in the 1930s-1940s and Donna Reed in the 1950s. Rachel McAdams is a star from my generation who seemed to usually be placed in that category by male film fans in the 2000s-2010s. But what about the ‘perfect husband’ in pop culture? There have been a lot of reports and articles on the perfect leading man in cinema, but the phrase ‘dream husband’ doesn’t seem to be as common as ‘dream wife.’ Rather than examine why this might be, I’m going to analyze who I have always considered the perfect movie husband: Jimmy Stewart [or James Stewart, professionally]. Movie star, Oscar winner, honored WWII vet, family man and reported all-around solid guy. It didn’t hurt that he was easy on the eyes too. Jimmy’s presence and ‘everyman’ characters really seemed to resonate with early 20th century movie viewers, and still continues with old Hollywood fans today.
You’re right, they don’t make them like Jimmy Stewart in Hollywood anymore. This was a great article, thank you for writing it.
On Golden Pond was a gooden, if I remember correctly.
Oh. Shoot