Once upon a time, a little girl named Stevie Myers, who happened to be the daughter of a man who wrangled horses for cowboy actor Tom Mix, owned a sorrel Arabian and quarter horse mix named Sweetie Pie. This may not seem like anything all that special, but, trust me, it was. For Pie, as he was dubbed by Jimmy Stewart, was one of the most featured horses in films during the heyday of westerns.
For a period of twenty-two years, Jimmy Stewart rode Pie in a total of seventeen films. Some of the more famous ones are: Broken Arrow (1950), The Man from Laramie (1955), The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962), How the West Was Won (1962), and The Cheyenne Social Club (1970). In addition to Jimmy Stewart, Pie was also ridden by Kirk Douglas, Audie Murphy, Glenn Ford, Richard Widmark, Yvonne DeCarlo, and Yul Brynner. That’s quite a resume for a horse on the small side, who was said to be very choosy when it came to who he liked, and uncooperative when he didn’t much care for his rider.
He loved Jimmy Stewart, however, and Jimmy Stewart loved him. The actor was able to get Pie to perform on command even when his trainer wasn’t around. One of the most famous stories about Jimmy Stewart and Pie’s incredible rapport happened during the filming of The Far Country (1955). Pie was supposed to walk down the middle of the street alone, without a rider, with a bell ringing. Before the cameras started rolling, Jimmy Stewart took Pie aside and whispered in his ear, telling the horse to what to do. When Pie was released, the horse perfectly executed the instructions and in only one take. Everyone was amazed.
It’s said Jimmy Stewart tried to buy Pie from Stevie, but she wouldn’t part with the horse. Henry Fonda, who was good friends with Jimmy Stewart, painted a picture of the horse, and it hung in the Stewarts’ home for many, many years. Jimmy Stewart also wrote a poem about Pie which was included in his much-treasured book, Jimmy Stewart and His Poems. And though he was never able to buy the horse, Pie was buried on the Stewart ranch after his death at the ripe old age of thirty.
Cathy McDavid has been penning Westerns for Harlequin since 2005. With over 55 titles in print and 1.6 million-plus books sold, Cathy is also a member of the prestigious Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll. This “almost” Arizona native and mother of grown twins is married to her own real-life sweetheart. After leaving the corporate world seven years ago, she now spends her days penning stories about good looking cowboys riding the range, busting broncs, and sweeping gals off their feet — oops, no. Make that winning the hearts of feisty, independent women who give the cowboys a run for their money. It a tough job, but she’s willing to make the sacrifice.
A wonderful bit of history. One of our neighbors was one of the bomber crew members during World War 2. He used to tell stories about Jimmy Stewart and how nice he was.
I don’t think anyone who ever met him didn’t like him 🙂
isn’t is a wonder what we find out the history of the famous horses from TV and film! I remember reading the story of how Bonanza’s Little Joe’s black and white Pinto died and the frantic search was on for another one to replace it!!
Interesting. Now, I’m going to look up Little Joe’s horse!
Great story. A man and his horse. Stewart was a classy fellow and I assume Pie was also.
You are so right 🙂
Loved this story.
Thanks. It was fun to research 🙂
Loved this, Cathy!!!
Pam, I’m sure I’ve seen every one of Jimmy Stewart’s westerns. Never noticed he rode the same horse.
this is so cool. thanks for sharing today. have a wonderful day
You also have a wonderful day, Lori!
Thank you for sharing this story. I really enjoyed it.
Thanks, I’m glad you did. Makes me want to go out learn more about horses in movies.
What a wonderful story! Thank you for sharing it Cathy!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Really touching, I agree.
Thanks for sharing about Jimmy Steward. He was a great actor.
Absolutely. A true gentleman and amazing talent 🙂
What a sweet story. Makes me love Jimmy Stewart even more.
I know. Who would have thought it possible?
What a great story. He was one of my favorite actors.
Mine, too, Linda.
One of my favorite actors! I always wished I could have met him.
Wouldn’t that have been something!
What a wonderful bit of history! I love Jimmy Stewart and I love horses! This tidbit was so fun to read! Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Ami. It was a fun tidbit to stumble across 🙂
Roy Rodgers went through the same thing. The first horse he picked out for one of his pictures was a golden palomino. He thought it was the smartest horse he ever knew, and he wanted to buy him. He didn’t have enough money and had to pay in installments, all the while the horse was still being used in movies. One movie he stood out in, was ‘Robin Hood’. Maid Marion rode him in that movie. Once Roy had enough money paid, the horse was his, and only used in His movies from them on. Roy had Trigger, until he died, and then he was stuffed and set up in Roy’s museum( along with buttermilk and bullet).
How interesting, Nanci. I hadn’t heard the part of this story about Trigger being in the Robin Hood movie. Very cool.
A delightful story of Pie and Jimmy Stewart. Animals can definitely favor certain people. This horse had a long list of super stars on his back, in his saddle. What a history. Thank you for sharing.
It really was a neat bit of horse movie trivia 🙂
Thank you for an interesting post. I had heard that Stewart had a favorite horse he used in movies, but didn’t know the story behind it. I am not surprised about the horse being selective about who road it. Dogs and horses have a keen sense about people and like people, know who they would like for a friend.
As an aside, thank you for participating in the 32 Auctions ROMANCE FOR MAUI auction . It was a worthy cause. I am so happy I won your offering.
Oh, Patricia! I didn’t know you won my donation. I haven’t been informed yet. What a delight. I’m so touched and pleased you bid. Thank YOU for participating. Hugs.