Paul Kengor: A wonderful Jimmy Stewart story

In 1946, legendary director Frank Capra teamed up with legendary actor Jimmy Stewart to make a legendary Christmas movie, the iconic “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Indiana, Pa. native Stewart was Capra’s favorite actor and the favorite of many. The film, of course, is filled with scenes leaving you laughing and crying. But here’s a real-life scene, courtesy of Capra’s memoirs, that included Capra as well as Stewart.

The two were in Texas promoting the film. They were in Beaumont and scheduled for Dallas. It was getting dark, and the weather was ominous. No planes were flying. Dallas officials, however, were adamant about Capra and Stewart honoring their commitment. Stewart was a veteran World War II flyer. He knew when the elements dictated not to fly. Nonetheless, Dallas officials, the last-minute charter pilot with his Cessna and Capra all persuaded Stewart to give in.

Once in the air, Capra learned why Stewart was jittery. Worse, the lights in the plane went out. The radio wasn’t working. They couldn’t find the airport. It was pitch black outside.

“We hedge-hopped over houses and trees, feeling for the airport,” Capra recalled.

The charter pilot pointed to what he claimed was the airport: “Right below us, Mr. Stewart.” Stewart sighed, “Well, thank God. Buzz the hangar. Make them turn on the runway lights.”

“No lights on this airport,” the pilot said. “But no sweat, Mr. —”

“The hell there isn’t,” replied Stewart. “I’m all sweat. Make a flat approach and borrow the whole runway, NOW!”

Just then, the landing gear wouldn’t engage. They opened the door as a “cold hurricane” wind blew in. The pilot kicked at the gear. He dashed to the back of the plane for a sledgehammer.

Said Capra of Stewart’s frantic reaction: “Now Jim ain’t a swearing man. But he forgot himself. ‘Get this goddamn plane down, you idiot, before you kill us!’ ”

They got it down.

Needless to say, that airplane image isn’t exactly an image of George Bailey from “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Then again, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” often criticized by cynics as overly idealistic and sentimental, had dark moments. Recall the movie’s crucial pivot point, when George stands atop a bridge ready to dive into the freezing water to commit suicide.

The real-life Jimmy Stewart was much like his screen persona. My Grove City College colleague David Ayers wrote a wonderful remembrance upon visiting the museum dedicated to Stewart in Indiana .

“Jimmy Stewart was an unpretentious guy who only consented to this museum … if it would be of like character and financially benefit his hometown,” Ayers observed. “Occupying a small third floor of the Indiana Free Library with five exhibit rooms, a little theater and a tiny gift shop, it is certainly modest.” The museum “faithfully distills the life and essence of a remarkable man who exemplified the basic character, commitments and bedrock values of someone who was a lot like the fictional George Bailey.”

Oh, and yes, Stewart was quite the flyer. After flying combat missions in WWII, he remained in the military, retiring in 1968 as an Air Force Reserve brigadier general. Stewart in 1966 went on a secret mission in Vietnam that almost ended in disaster when the plane malfunctioned. Not unlike Texas two decades earlier.

Stewart survived then, too, and gave us still more great films. But none tops “It’s a Wonderful Life,” especially at Christmas.

To quote George Bailey, “Merry Christmas, everyone!”