Local history: Movie star Jimmy Stewart made Soap Box Derby debut 75 years ago
Gee whiz, that Jimmy Stewart was a swell guy.
The Hollywood star made a big impression 75 years ago when he served as grand marshal of the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron. During his whirlwind visit in August 1947, Stewart spent the weekend shaking hands, signing autographs and chatting with awestruck youngsters.
Photos: Actress Melina Kanakaredes through the years
As it turned out, Akron made a big impression on him, too. The actor couldn’t wait to come back.
Stewart, 39, a native of Indiana, Pennsylvania, said he had wanted to attend the Soap Box Derby ever since he met 1946 All-American winner Gilbert Klecan of San Diego.
The 14-year-old boy captured the national title and earned a lasting place in derby lore as “The Graphite Kid” after smearing grease all over his car — and himself — in an effort to lower wind resistance.
The California boy also won a bit part in Stewart’s movie “Magic Town,” a comedy written and produced by Robert Riskin.
“When Gilbert reported to the studio for his role in ‘Magic Town,’ Mr. Riskin, Jane Wyman and I got him off in a corner and had him tell us all about the race, how he built his car, how it was designed and so on,” Stewart told a reporter.
“I made up my mind then that if it was possible, I’d be in Akron for the 1947 running. Didn’t have any idea that I’d have the honor of presiding as grand marshal. But I do know that the derby is one of the greatest boys’ events in the world.”
Jimmy Stewart left ‘Harvey’ for Akron
Stewart’s visit was also a product of subliminal advertising. He had flown to Akron from New York, where he was starring in the Broadway hit “Harvey,” a comedy about a man who believes his best friend is a 6-foot invisible rabbit.
The show has several comical references to Akron, painting the city as a kind of Shangri-La. Meanwhile, Jesse White, one of Stewart’s cast mates, was from Akron!
Stewart was scheduled to arrive early on Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Mayflower Hotel in downtown Akron.
Legendary Beacon Journal reporter Helen Waterhouse did some sleuthing and found a suite that had been reserved for the actor. She went up to the room and noticed three men sitting there.
“Has the hero arrived yet?” she asked them.
“No, he hasn’t come in yet,” Helen,” Akron Police Sgt. William Willoughby told her.
“Well, I’ll wait a little bit,” Waterhouse replied. “He ought to be in pretty soon. I’ve been waiting around long enough for him.”
She sat on a davenport and began talking about Stewart and Hollywood and the Soap Box Derby.
The men sat quietly and fidgeted.
After a while, the police sergeant said: “Maybe Mr. Stewart doesn’t care about being interviewed right now.”
“Well, I don’t know how you can say that when he isn’t here,” Waterhouse responded.
“Maybe I can explain that,” one of the men said sheepishly. “You see, I’m Jimmy Stewart.”
“Well, for goodness sakes,” Waterhouse said.
She hadn’t recognized one of the most famous stars of Hollywood.
“I’m very sorry, but I’ve just got in after a long flight,” Stewart said. “I’m tired and I’ve got a lot of things to do tonight and tomorrow. If you wouldn’t mind too much, I’d like to get some rest. I’ll be glad to talk with you later.”
“Well, for goodness sakes,” Waterhouse repeated. “How can I ever explain how I didn’t recognize you? I’m dreadfully sorry.”
The flummoxed reporter excused herself and fled the Mayflower.
Movie star has busy weekend
Stewart had breakfast in his room, ordering a large glass of orange juice, two rolls and coffee. Then he changed clothes and went to Derby Downs, where he met with Soap Box Derby officials, surveyed the famous hill and examined some gravity racers.
The 6-foot-3 actor said his legs were too long to go for a ride.
“They got in my way when I was only 15, and they’re much longer now,” he told a reporter. “I’d probably have to fold them up to get into one of the racers.”
Stewart met another famous Jimmy that weekend: Lt. Gen. James Doolittle, the World War II hero, who was also in town for the festivities.
For someone so famous, Stewart was really shy. He disliked professional autograph seekers and candid cameramen whose flash bulbs exploded in his face.
But he really enjoyed meeting admirers, including the 135 champions participating in the All-American. What a terrific bunch of fellows.
He asked them questions about their hometowns and the cars they had built, and they quizzed him about Hollywood.
Stewart joined the youths on a Portage Lakes excursion to Sandy Beach Amusement Park, where they feasted on hamburgers, hot dogs, soda pop and milk.
As an added touch, the executives of four Akron rubber companies put on chef uniforms and served the food: Harvey Firestone Jr., president of Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., E.J. Thomas, president of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., John L. Collyer, president of B.F. Goodrich Co., and Ray Bloch, president of the Mohawk Rubber Co.
Stewart capped off the evening with an Italian dinner at Iacomini’s restaurant. He retired early to the Mayflower.
Fran Murphey lands the interview
The next day, another Beacon Journal legend, Frances B. Murphey, landed an interview with the actor. She had no trouble recognizing the blue-eyed, brown-haired idol.
He told her it was actually his second visit to Akron. He had stopped here in 1933 to see the USS Macon at the airdock.
Stewart told the reporter that he was looking forward to starring in “Call Northside 777,” a newspaper drama. He said his favorite role was in the 1939 film “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” His most recent movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” was still years away from being recognized as a classic.
“Tall and long-legged, he looks like his pictures … smiles little … has a serious manner of speaking … and seldom wastes words …” Murphey wrote. “His dark hair is surprisingly gray at the temples … but rather than make him look older, these touches of gray emphasize his boyishness … the bachelor appeals to more than just bobby-soxers.
“As guest of honor during the All-American Soap Box Derby festivities, the actor won many new friends. He also was the shyest guest, keeping out of the way as much as possible.”
More than 75,000 people attended the Chevrolet-sponsored race Sunday, Aug. 17. Some estimates pegged the crowd at over 100,000.
Stewart called it “the most magnificent spectacle I’ve ever seen.”
It was a jumble of sights and sounds, a kaleidoscope of marching bands, majorettes, derby racers, dignitaries and media. A Goodyear blimp drifted overhead as temperatures soared into the mid-80s.
And then it was race time.
Champion crowned at Derby Downs
Three by three, the cars rolled down the track. Stewart and Doolittle sat on the bridge over the finish line and watched as the racers zoomed below. Heat after heat, race after race, the field narrowed.
Hours later, Kenny Holmboe, 14, of Charleston, West Virginia, defeated Akron champion Eugene “Red” Miller and Kent-Ravenna champion Richard Earl Rhoads to win the All-American.
Stewart greeted the winner at the finish line and rode in a convertible with the boy and his family before the cheering crowd.
Explaining the secret to his success, Holmboe noted: “I carried three good luck charms … a rabbit’s foot and a four-leaf clover and a penny in my shoe.”
The actor rode with the family to the Mayflower Hotel.
That evening, Stewart attended the Soap Box Derby banquet in Goodyear Hall. A cheer arose when he addressed the 135 racers.
“This is my place,” he told the crowd. “I hope to be back next year.”
He flew back to New York and the 6-foot invisible rabbit in “Harvey.”
As promised, Stewart returned to the All-American in 1948. He came back in 1949, too, bringing his newlywed bride, Gloria, as they cut their honeymoon short for the derby.
He returned in 1950, 1952 and 1957, competing in the Oil Can Trophy Race with other celebrities, but losing to boxer Jack Dempsey, ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and actor George Montgomery.
“Always a bridesmaid,” he groaned. “I never could win one of these races.”
It must have been those long legs.
In all, the Hollywood star made six appearances at the race.
He was 89 when he died of a heart attack July 2, 1997, in Beverly Hills.
A month later, Jimmy Stewart was inducted into the inaugural class of the All-American Soap Box Derby for bringing national attention to the derby from 1947 to 1957.
His portrait hangs on the wall at Derby Downs.
As he once told the kids in Akron: “Sportsmanship is winning modestly — and losing courageously.”
What a swell guy.
Mark J. Price can be reached at mprice@thebeaconjournal.com.
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This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Actor Jimmy Stewart had swell time at Soap Box Derby in Akron
