Hank and Jim

The Fifty-Year Friendship of Henry Fonda and James Stewart

De: Scott Eyman

Narrado por: David Colacci

New York Times best-selling author Scott Eyman tells the story of the remarkable friendship of two Hollywood legends who, though different in many ways, maintained a close friendship that endured all of life's twists and turns.

Henry Fonda and James Stewart were two of the biggest stars in Hollywood for 40 years. They became friends and then roommates as stage actors in New York, and when they began making films in Hollywood, they roomed together again. Between them they made such memorable films as The Grapes of Wrath, Mister Roberts, Twelve Angry Men, and On Golden Pond; and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Destry Rides Again, The Philadelphia Story, It's a Wonderful Life, Vertigo, and Rear Window.

They got along famously, with a shared interest in elaborate practical jokes and model airplanes, among other things. Fonda was a liberal Democrat, Stewart a conservative Republican, but after one memorable blow-up over politics, they agreed never to discuss that subject again. Fonda was a ladies' man who was married five times; Stewart remained married to the same woman for 45 years. Both men volunteered during World War II and were decorated for their service. When Stewart returned home, still unmarried, he once again moved in with Fonda, his wife, and his two children, Jane and Peter, who knew him as Uncle Jimmy.

For Hank and Jim, biographer and film historian Scott Eyman spoke with Fonda's widow and children as well as three of Stewart's children, plus actors and directors who had worked with the men - in addition to doing extensive archival research to get the full details of their time together. This is not another Hollywood story, but a fascinating portrait of an extraordinary friendship that lasted through war, marriages, children, careers, and everything else.

©2017 Paladin Literature, Inc. (P)2017 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Loved it!

I loved listening to the story of two of my beloved actors Henry Fonda and James Stewart. I loved hearing about their long friendship and all the highs and lows Of their lives off screen. Excellent narration

Story was well put together

Nice, harmless story about a friendship that lasted through three generations. Two very different men finding ways to realize common bonds. A story that should be a lesson for all of us. And the author does a nice job of weaving his way through their strengths and weaknesses, their quirks and peccadillos, and telling it in the way that doesn’t embarrass. Especially in Fonda‘s case, where plenty of other writers have depicted him as this cold, heartless bastard. The author here does a stealthful job in explaining why he was that way. The testimonies of the two main people that had to deal with that 24/7, his son and his daughter, really spoke volumes as to how long it took them to really understand him – something that it sounds like 80% of the people that came in contact with him do. A worthwhile read – even if you aren’t necessarily a fan of the actors.

Excellent Story Of Two Great Actors

Could not stop listening. A very well told bio of the best years of Hollywood and its great stars. Special insights of everyone involved.

Some very interesting facts

These two were great friends but had the very rare courage to looks past their differences, especially politics....... They had 1 big argument then agreed, because of their friendship, to never discuss it again.
How different these two men were.. FONDA was married 5 times, STEWART married once for 40+ years
FONDA was more a stage actor where STEWART was more into movies..
FONDA was a very liberal democrat where STEWART was a conservative Republican
FONDA died at age 82, STEWART lived until age 89,,,,,,but in truth, Jimmy STEWART quite living 3 years earlier when his Gloria
died when he was 86..he lost the love of his life, and those who were close to him said, Jimmy was never the same. in fact,, it is reported that his last words were ;;;Now I am going to be with my Gloria....
Anyway, Listen to this book if you have any interest in either Fonda or Stewart, You'll be glad you did ! ! ! !

Excellent insight into talented actors

Having enjoyed the movies of both actors, this book was very interesting. Seems well researched and narrated.