Best Gun Handling Actors: Jimmy Stewart

One of my favorite movies is Winchester ’73 starring James Stewart, Shelley Winters, Dan Duryea, Stephen McNally. The plot centers on two brothers, one good (Stewart) and one evil (McNally). The evil brother has killed their father, the good brother is out for justice. AS the good brother pursues the evil brother, the chase becomes entwined with a stolen 1 of 1000 Winchester Model 1873 rifle.

The movie is great entertainment even with Will Geer (Grandpa Walton) portraying Wyatt Erp. Geer has to be the lamest Erp portrayal in movie history. Overall this is a small flaw and the movie is exciting and logical. Jimmy Stewart, great actor and war hero, convincingly handles his Colt six gun and various Winchester rifles with equal aplomb. Clearly Jimmy’s military training and skills as an outdoorsman aided him in this convincing portrayal.

Westerns with James Stewart also have a gritty streak of realism and determination. His authenticity allows his audience to identify with him and his roles. I have always enjoyed his movies and I believe he is one of the greatest gun handling actors ever.