I've been watching this movie since I was a kid and never once did I realize that the old timer bartender from Pancho's is the real Chuck Yeager. It's obviously him, now that I take a good look at him, but until it was pointed out to me, I just assumed it was some guy. I guess I just couldn't fathom such a legend dressed up like the town drunk.
shareYep, and the best part for me is that just as one of the recruiters says "Yeager doesn't fit the profile" Yeager is standing behind them silhouetted in profile. Great stuff.
I was just re-watching this again after a long time and noticed that and thought it was very funny.
Back when this came out, I'm not sure I knew what Yeager looked like. The book and movie turned him from a trivia answer to a cult hero and then you started seeing him in TV ads.
I remember, when this movie came out, John Glenn was preparing his run for President and many were thinking the movie would give him a big push. I recall a political cartoon showing Glenn standing outside a movie theater, anticipating adulation, while the movie goers filed out cheering, "CHUCK YEAGER FOR PRESIDENT!"
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