Forget Their Holes, What Did They Cram in Their Mouths?

[cynicismandsugar]

We've all seen the extensive list; there have been many threads in regards to celebrity pipe hunting in film, television, and real life. It seems anyone under the age of 35 will instantly point out either Lord of the Rings or Inglourious Basterds [sic] as the preeminent pipe smoking films, as well as sing praise of their overall cinematic genius.
There have also been numerous discussions on the preferred tobacco blends, specifically, among famous intellectuals and authors.
However, a topic that I haven't seen as much, and that I'm rather curious about, is what particular pipe styles and brands are being represented?
Last night, I was watching It's a Wonderful Life with my wife, and I became obsessed with scouring the internet in search of what pipe James Stewart was puffing in that film ― and ultimately ― I came up empty handed.
Now, I know that if anyone would be able to identify particular pipe makes and manufacturers within popular culture, they would all be on this forum. So, I bring the search to you, forum members of PipesMagazine.com!
I'm most interested in what pipes Orson Wells smoked (in Citizen Kane, and personally) and James Stewart (in It's a Wonderful Life). However, this forum revels in [celebrity] piper trivia ― so, by all means, share away.
*I know that, even though they didn't necessarily show any brand loyalty, Mark Twain and Jacque Cousteau did both smoke Peterson pipes in their rotations.

 

[aldecaker]

This should be interesting if anyone has any info to share. I've been curious about this subject as well.

 

[prairiedruid]

The store has advertising for Peterson pipes in It's a Wonderful Life.

 

[cynicismandsugar]

The store has advertising for Peterson pipes in It's a Wonderful Life.

I noticed that, too; as well as advertisements for La Unica, Camel, and Lucky Strike. So, do you think it's a safe bet, that James Stewart was enjoying a Peterson?

 

[hawke]

I have no "input"(pun intended) I was just "drawn in"(pun intended) by the topic.

Great subject Jeffery!

 

[stanlaurel]

Orson Welles is seen with several different pipes, but he was photographed many times with this thick heavy billiard. I don't know what it is.

 

[cynicismandsugar]

Thank you for the input, thus far! I'm starting to think that, when it comes to pipes, perhaps many view them merely as a tool, and are more concerned about what goes in them.

 

[sablebrush52]

James Stewart was a huge fan of Kaywoodie, so much so, that when his agent won him a very nice fee, Stewart rewarded him with a cased set of Kaywoodies.

 

[cynicismandsugar]

Thank you, Sable! [taking notes]

 

[mso489]

James Stewart was smoking and gifting the Kaywoodies when they cost more than a Dunhill, I believe.

 

[cynicismandsugar]

Yes, during my internet "research," I discovered that there was a time (pre WWII, and even earlier) when Kaywoodies and Dunhills were both considered "luxury."

 

[cynicismandsugar]

Is that the familiar white dot of a Dunhill?

 

[cynicismandsugar]

Now as I head down the rabbit hole, I also find this interesting tidbit:
http://www.vintagememorabilia.com/index.cfm/page/orson-welles-signed-bank-check-alfred-dunhill-1956

 

[eriksmokes85]

What would that be worth in today's dollars?

 

[cynicismandsugar]

$419.15
Or, at least, that is what it says here:

Calculate the Value...

 

[cynicismandsugar]

All right, after realizing that they links provided above may no longer be available in a week, month, or year from now, I'm reposting the information I've gathered in regards to what pipe(s) Orson Welles may have smoked.
After finding a photograph of Orson Welles holding, what appears to be, a Dunhill pipe, I began trying to find any further connections. This led me to an interesting piece of Hollywood history at www.VintageMemorabilia.com ― a check signed by Orson Welles for the total of $47.84 ― and made payable to Alfred Dunhill.
In 2015, that would be to equivalent $419.15.
The following information is from the listing at www.vintagememorabilia.com:

Bank check signed by one of Hollywood's most prolific talents—and a devoted cigar smoker—Orson Welles. Drawn on Security-First National Bank of Los Angeles, dated December 3, 1956, payable to Alfred Dunhill for $47.84, very likely for the famed Dunhill's tobacco blend in their fine cigars. Check has typed date, payee, and amounts, and was hand-signed by Welles. In excellent condition.

Orson Welles smoking a cigar
Alfred Dunhill was an early 20th-century English tobacconist and progenitor of the famed Dunhill luxury goods company and the Dunhill branded tobacco products. Dunhill ran a company selling motoring accessories, and in 1902 opened a shop in Mayfair. He developed a pipe designed for motorists in 1904, and a tobacconist's shop in St James's in 1907, offering tailored tobacco blends. Shops were later opened in New York and Paris in the 1920s. With his international ambitions, Dunhill helped to create the modern luxury goods market.
Before the Cuban Revolution, Dunhill had numerous distribution and marketing agreements with several Cuban cigar manufacturers, selling exclusive and hard to find brands such as Don Cándido and Dunhill's own Selección Suprema line, with various sizes from many famous cigar makers such as Montecristo and Romeo y Julieta. Dunhill became famous as the tobacconist of choice for King George VI and the prodigious cigar smoker Sir Winston Churchill.
ORSON WELLES (1915-1985) was an Academy Award-winning American director, writer, actor and producer for film, stage, radio and television. Welles first gained wide notoriety for his October 30, 1938, radio broadcast of H. G. Wells' The War of the Worlds. Adapted to sound like a contemporary news broadcast, it caused a number of listeners to panic. In the mid-1930s, his New York theatre adaptations of an all-black voodoo Macbeth and a contemporary allegorical Julius Caesar became legendary. Welles was also an accomplished magician, starring in troop variety spectacles in the war years. During this period he became a serious political activist and commentator through journalism, radio and public appearances closely associated with Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 1941, he co-wrote, directed, produced and starred in Citizen Kane, often chosen in polls of film critics as the greatest film ever made.

 

[thedudeabides]

Greetings! To me, the Getty photograph appears to be a reversed image. I believe the logo is actually a Comoy's "C" - just a reverse negative (sorry - I am sure I am using the wrong term here). Dunhill dots are typically on the top of the stem. Great topic!

 

[cynicismandsugar]

I believe the logo is actually a Comoy's "C" - just a reverse negative...

Oooooh, the plot thickens.

 

[lifesizehobbit]

Nothing to add to the current movie or personality discussion, but when you're done with this batch, go watch The Quiet Man with John Wayne, filmed in Ireland and almost everyone has a pipe.

 

[cynicismandsugar]

... go watch The Quiet Man with John Wayne, filmed in Ireland and almost everyone has a pipe.

I've been meaning to watch The Quiet Man for years. I've seen some of the more famous scenes from it, but -- not being a huge John Wayne fan -- I've never sat down to finish it. ... It's again in my to watch queue.

I believe the logo is actually a Comoy's "C" - just a reverse negative... Dunhill dots are typically on the top of the stem.

I sat through a couple of Welles' movies today, as well as looked through more headshots (with pipes/cigar) and it appears Orson did favor smoking on his left side; so, I'm going to assume that the Getty image isn't, in fact, a reverse negative. However, your point on the Dunhill dot is still valid.
(sigh) Back to square one.