Two actors in the new Jimmy Stewart biopic, opening in theaters nationwide Nov. 6, are the special guests on this week’s Tango Alpha Lima podcast.
Many people know Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey. Far fewer recognize Brig. Gen. James Stewart, the Academy Award winner who walked away from Hollywood at the height of his fame, flew 20 combat missions as a bomber pilot in World War II and stayed in the Air Force Reserve until 1968.
That story is the heart of Jimmy, a new biopic directed by Aaron Burns and starring KJ Apa. It follows Stewart from the war to his return to the screen in It’s a Wonderful Life. The film opens nationwide Nov. 6, after its world premiere last month at the Heartland Film Festival in Indianapolis.
In this week’s episode of The American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast, co-hosts Adam Marr and Stacy Pearsall sit down with two of the film’s stars: Kara Killmer (Chicago Fire) and Julian Works (9-1-1: Lone Star). They discuss how Stewart’s service shaped the man, the actor and one of the most beloved holiday films ever made.
Both Works and Killmer talked about their relatives who served.
“My grandfather was in the Korean War, the Forgotten War, as they say, and he just happened to be in the Air Force as well,” Works says, adding his uncle is a Navy veteran. “I know my family’s proud of what I’m doing for sure, so that’s what makes me happy.”
Among the highlights:
• The silent generation. Stewart never spoke publicly about the war. “Jimmy never, ever, ever shared anything about his time in the war, but he left his journal detailing all of his missions and all of the men he lost in his nightstand so his daughters could find it after he passed away,” Killmer says. She also shares what she learned about her own grandfather’s Air Force service, a story she only recently discovered.
• A forgotten piece of history. Works plays 2nd Lt. Martinez, a Mexican-American pilot. He talks about discovering how many Mexican Americans served in World War II and why it matters that audiences see that history on screen.
• Coming home. The guests reflect on the homecoming, PTSD and the role Stewart’s friendship with director Frank Capra played in his return to acting.
• A new way to see a classic. Killmer says viewers who have watched “It’s a Wonderful Life” for years will see it differently after this film. Killmer also reflects on Psalm 91, which Stewart’s father gave him when he left for war. In her words, it’s “not just about the quantity of your days, but the quality of your days.” (Revisit The American Legion’s story on the 50th anniversary of It’s a Wonderful Life.)
Also in this episode, Pearsall and Marr discuss what Veterans Day means to them, the “continuation of a call to serve,” and what meaningful recognition looks like beyond Nov. 11.
Go see Jimmy: The film opens in theaters Nov. 6. Find showtimes at jimmythemovie.com. Veterans can see it free through VetTix.
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