Here’s a twist to the Hollyweird world.
“Jimmy” opens on Friday about Hollywood star of past, Jimmy Stewart. A giant of the movie biz, Stewart is best known as the star of “It’s a Wonderful Life” — and many many other classics.
Few reviewers have seen “Jimmy” in advance, giving it a meh 65% on Rotten Tomatoes. It also doesn’t have a regular distributor. Instead, it’s being sent into 1,500 theaters by Fathom Events, a “four-waller,” so to speak. You pay them and they’ll put your film out. Luckily, “Jimmy” has 24 producers, so they’ve ponied up.
What adds to the oddity of “Jimmy,” which stars former “Riverdale” actor KJ Apa? (The New Zealand actor played the live action version of comic book character Archie, of Archie and Jughead, for six years on the CW Network.) The composer’s name is Grant Fonda. His last name may sound familiar. Jimmy Stewart’s close friend in real life during their halcyon days was another famous actor, Henry Fonda, father of Jane and Peter, and grandfather of Bridget.
Grant Fonda has made allusions to a family connection to Jimmy Stewart, often saying his own grandfather inspired him. He also says in a video interview that his “great great grand uncle” was friends with Jimmy Stewart.
Grant writes on Instagram: “My family ties to Jimmy’s best friend (Henry Fonda) and my own performances on period-authentic percussion and piano ground this in a deeply personal place, but none of these connections means as much as my love for my late grandfather, who was a Naval pilot and my steadiest encouragement as a musician until his death. In many ways, this score is my love letter to him and to those who fought for the freedoms we enjoy today.”
Is he suggesting that he, Grant, is related to the famous Fonda family? Henry Fonda had two sisters, and no brother. So it’s a little unclear what’s going on here. I sent Grant Fonda a couple of messages asking him what he’s talking about, and will report his answer immediately. It would certainly be serendipity!
Grant does have a flair for the dramatic. A couple of weeks ago, Grant wrote on Instagram: “WE WON THE EMMY! Huge congrats to the entire BROKEN MARY team for this win for this gorgeous documentary about hope, redemption, and second chances. We took home the Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Documentary — Cultural. Honored to be the film’s composer, and VERY proud of my talented music team who were next-level superheroes on this!”
In fact, “Broken Mary” won the 2026 Chicago/Midwest Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Documentary — Cultural. But you know, close enough!
As Jimmy Stewart used to say — at least in movies — “Aw, shucks!” Will it be a wonderful run for “Jimmy”? Stay tuned…
