Jimmy Stewart Waxes Folksy Over Likeness

In Alfred Hitchcock’s 1954 film “Rear Window,” Jimmy Stewart played a photographer confined to a wheelchair by a broken leg and reduced to viewing only the small slice of the world within camera range of his picture window.

Stewart found himself on the other side of the lens Wednesday in Buena Park, as dozens of photographers ringed his table at a luncheon during the dedication of his likeness at the Movieland Wax Museum.

The 80-year-old star of such films as “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” “The Man Who Knew Too Much” and “The Philadelphia Story,” for which he received the best-actor Oscar in 1940 smiled and posed graciously for the photographers and later signed autographs for a steady stream of fans.

Earlier, he had posed with his likeness for members of the press, who were herded quickly through the room (after waiting under the unflinching gaze of a wax Gavin MacLeod, bobbing mechanically up and down on a mock-up of the Love Boat).

Stewart’s likeness, complete with full leg cast and wheelchair, is taken from “Rear Window.” His movie apartment has been re-created at the museum, with a couple of discreet additions on the bookshelves--photos of his co-star, Grace Kelly, and director Hitchcock.

The actor dubbed the likeness “amazing” as he offered a few comments at the luncheon. “I think it was a wonderful film to choose for the likeness,” Stewart said. “I’ve always been amazed at how Alfred Hitchcock got the drama into it.”

Stewart admitted that when the role first was described to him, he had reservations about having to spend a movie in a chair with a huge cast on his leg. “I don’t know about that part,” Stewart, in his trademark drawl, said he told Hitchcock. “I think I’d like to get up and move around a little bit.”

Hitchcock won, of course, and the film--in which Stewart watches the lives of his neighbors through the windows of a facing building, and comes to believe he has witnessed a murder--is considered a classic.

The actor said someone once told him that he was playing a peeping Tom. “I couldn’t really argue with that too much,” Stewart said.

During a brief ceremony, Stewart was given a key to the city by the Buena Park mayor, Donna L. Chessen. He also was honored by a U.S. Air Force colonel: Stewart was a top bomber pilot in World War II and later became a general in the Air Force reserve.

“I won’t forget this,” Stewart said. “This has been a wonderful day for me.”

The Movieland Wax Museum is at 7711 Beach Blvd., Buena Park. Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Admission: $9.95 general, $5.95 for ages 4 through 11, children under 4 are admitted free. Information: (714) 522-1155.