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• On the article 'It's a Wonderful Life' Actress Recalls Classic Film Role in Visit to Plymouth

  Joe Barnard

  9:09 am on Monday, December 10, 2012

  Joe Barnard

  "It's a Wonderful Life" is a great movie and Ms Patton is one of the best, like all the supporting actors brought together by Frank Capra for this film. However, the real life story of the star of the film also needs to be told. As I recall, this was Jimmy Stewart's first movie after leaving active duty from World War II. Unlike other actors who played the role of heroes, his was a real exprience. In the movie he is rejected for service because of his bad ear, and served in the Civil Defense Patrol at home. In real life, when he tried to join, he was rejected because he was underweight. But he fattened up and was eventually accepted. He was already a civilian pilot and sooned made his way up through the ranks. He became the commander of a B-24 Liberater bomb squadron in North Africa. Lt. Colonel James Stewart flew twenty missions as commander until he was grounded by the War Department. The reason given was that he was a "national treasure" and it would be demoralizing to the country if he were to be killed or captured. But he did remain as commander of the squadron until he was promoted to full colonel. You may google me on all of this or visit the Mighty Air Force museum in Savannah, Ga. Jimmy Stewart seldom spoke about it himself!

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