Back in 1946, six-year-old Jimmy Hawkins played the role of Tommy in "It’s a Wonderful Life."
When it hit silver screen for Christmas season in 1946, the movie was a box-office flop and lost $500,000, even though it was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Decades later the film was voted the most inspirational movie of all time by the American Film Institute.
Join Hawkins as he recalls his role as Tommy and shares insights about Frank Capra, Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed and other cast members.
He also talks about his subsequent roles as a teen heartthrob on the Donna Reed Show.
Hawkins starred in the first Elvis movie "Girl Happy," and subsequent work as a producer. During the course of his career, Hawkins starred in or produced more than 500 movies and television shows.
Hawkins also shares the secret of the show’s belated success and cult-like following of "It’s a Wonderful Life" that didn’t really commence until the 1970's when someone forgot to renew the copyright.
This show was originally broadcast December 18, 2017 and is reposted as a “best-of-the-best” podcast in celebration of Journeys of Discovery’s 33rd anniversary producing on-air and digital media podcasts featured on KCBX and the NPR Podcast Directory.
Funding for Journeys of Discovery with Tom Wilmer is provided by the Foundation at Hearst Castle
Conserving the past to inspire future generations of dreamers and preserving the legacy of Julia Morgan.
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