Classic American movie star James "Jimmy" Stewart's Academy Award winning film "You Can't Take it With You" was shown in the HBLL Auditorium Tuesday. Stewart's film is part of the collection of memorabilia he donated to BYU in 1983.

The quest to get the "Stewart Papers" began with BYU Motion Picture Archive curator James D'Arc writing letters to Jimmy Stewart in 1982.

D'Arc said he was impressed by Stewart and wanted his films, papers, scrapbooks and home movies to be housed in BYU's special collections because Stewart was "not only a darn good actor, but a tremendous man of character and integrity."

After a few months of writing to Stewart with no reply, Stewart wrote a "very apologetic letter" to D'Arc and asked him to come and discuss the acquisition of his memorabilia at his office in Beverly Hills. The office was "non-descript, with ho-hum decorations" D'Arc said, which he found surprising because of Stewart's affluence and status.

According to D'Arc, the two chatted for a while about Stewart's career working with Alfred Hitchcock and Grace Kelly, and then Stewart "leaned back, looked at the ceiling and said 'Well, I think I'll do it.'"

Then, D'Arc and Stewart sat on the floor in Stewart's unpretentious home and packed up the "Stewart Papers" together. "Jimmy Stewart was the real McCoy, the genuine article," D'Arc said.

In 1985, BYU had a James Stewart week where Stewart and his wife, Gloria Hatrick "came, saw and conquered BYU," according to D'Arc. They met with the First Presidency, toured BYU campus and concluded their visit by showing one of Stewart's classic films, "It's a Wonderful Life," in the de Jong Concert Hall.

BYU student Tom Arnett heard a rumor going around campus that the Stewart papers were donated because Stewart was "impressed by the patriotism of students" when he saw students stop respectively for the flag lowering while he was one campus. While Stewart was impressed with student's patriotic attitude, he came to the BYU campus after he had donated the papers.

"As many times as I've tried to debunk that rumor, it still appears," D'Arc said.

Students, faculty, movie lovers and Jimmy Stewart fans gathered Tuesday to watch the film "You Can't Take it With You," the 1938 Best Picture Academy Award winner. This film fit the mood of the Great Depression, and dealt with the fleeting nature of material possessions.

BYU Student Mary Zuback attended the film because she "likes old movies." The film teaches viewers to value those who are close to them and consider the things that will bring lasting happiness, rather than momentary excitement.

The Stewart papers are housed in HBLL Special Collections Motion Picture Archive and are available for student viewings.

Copyright Brigham Young University 22 May 2008