With War breaking out in Europe moguls like Mayer were pressured by US government to make films that were pro-British and anti-German. In exchange they were promised that leading men in Hollywood would not be drafted. But Jimmy Stewart told Mayer that he intended to join army. The Mogul, who was quite actor himself tried to dissuade his growing asset from leaving. "Young Man, you will do so much more for service men if you stay home and make films. They will need entertainment. James my boy, don't deprive them. And your salary, your contract, your MGM family, don't throw all that away." But despite being five pounds below required weight Stewart insisted upon and received his induction to armed forces (Due to depression a lot of malnourished guys got in).

He would eventually transfer to air corps and lead a thousand men into battle in European theater, but humble star began his military career as a buck private peeling potatoes. To join service in in 1941, his MGM salary of $1500 was reduced by army to $21 a week. Upon receiving his first payment Stewart immediately sent a check for two dollars and ten cents to his agent.

Stephen Schochet is the author and narrator of the audiobooks "Fascinating Walt Disney" and "Tales Of Hollywood". The Saint Louis Post Dispatch says," these two elaborate productions are exceptionally entertaining." Hear realaudio samples of these great, unique gifts at www.hollywoodstories.com.

Despite her liberalism, Kate Hepburn mostly got on well her political opposites, including John Wayne, who kissed her on lips and called her a "hell of a woman". She laughed when her long time lover Spencer Tracy told story of visiting her family home in Connecticut. During dinner, her father Doc Hepburn and Kate got into a lively discussion as to what needed to be done by rich to help poor. Tired of their moralizing, Tracy went out to porch for a smoke. After a couple puffs, he noticed a very poor, very lost looking Mexican fisherman, had come onto property. "Hey better get another plate ready in there, poor are here to collect," said Tracy. Old man Hepburn came out on porch. "Hey you, get hell out of here! I'll sick dogs on you." After frightened fisherman ran away Doc Hepburn told startled Tracy," Got to get alarms fixed." Then men went back inside, and Hepburns resumed their discussion on how to help poor.

Hepburn was a fearless and generous performer. She fell backwards into garbage filled Venice canals five times to please Director David Lean for filming Summertime (1950), causing a permanent eye infection. She gave up her close-up scenes to Judy Holiday to help advance latter's career during filming of Adam's Rib (1949). She swam with crocodiles while filming "The African Queen" in 1951 and 30 years later dove in freezing cold of Squam Lake in Laconia, New Hampshire without a wet suit, during making of On Golden Pond. She was admired by women for her strong, independent stances, but her first marriage ended in divorce, and her lover Spencer Tracy never divorced his wife Louise. After he died in 1967 Hepburn disappointed feminists many times by saying she did not believe a woman could have it all, meaning both a successful career and a relationship.

Stephen Schochet is the author and narrator of the audiobooks "Fascinating Walt Disney" and "Tales Of Hollywood". The Saint Louis Post Dispatch says," these two elaborate productions are exceptionally entertaining." Hear realaudio samples of these great, unique gifts at www.hollywoodstories.com.