A Guy Named Joe

Some reviewers have complained that certain parts of the movie are unbelievable--agreed. However, "A Guy Named Joe" isn't a documentary. It's a riff on the nature of love and loss.

I've seen many Spencer Tracey movies, but none in which he is so subtle, charming, and heartbreaking. I won't give away his final line at the end, but it is a very simple line, delivered simply. But in his understated way, he encapsulates the most complex of human emotions.

Irene Dunne, a truly fine actress, is at her best here. Yes, her style does take a little getting used to for modern audiences, but she, too, has some incredibly difficult work to do in this film, and she meets the task impressively. And Van Johnson, whom I've never really given much thought, turns in a fine performance here, early in his career.

It is obvious that these three actors had a healthy rapport together. The lines of communication had to have been wide open for them to have turned in such gentle, subtly nuanced performances.

I can't say enough about this film. It may sound corny, but if you have ever loved anyone, and if you have ever lost anyone, you will immediately recognize the characters in this film. It's also worth mentioning that the screenplay contains some of the most beautiful poetic language I've ever heard in a movie. If you've never seen "A Guy Named Joe," I strongly recommend it; it will do your heart good.

"A Guy Named Joe" is a beautiful, sentimental, tear-jerker of a film starring Spencer Tracy, Irene Dunne, Van Johnson, Lionel Barrymore, Ward Bond, James Gleason, and Dom Defore.

Tracy is Pete, a fighter pilot in World War II involved with Dorinda (Dunne), a female flier. Apparently pilots whose "number is up" emit some kind of dead man walking spirit, because Dunne recognizes the signs and wants Pete to return to the states with her and teach fledgling pilots.

She's so desperate that he agrees, but he's called for one last mission, and the inevitable happens. Before he knows it, no one can see him or hear him, he's escorted around heaven and earth by Barry Nelson, and assigned to be an angel for a young pilot (Johnson).

For all the warmth of this film, it was fraught with problems behind the scenes. Van Johnson was in a horrid car accident before he finished filming. The actors said they wanted to wait for him rather than see him replaced. That story may or may not be true, as the scar on his forehead is only visible in a couple of scenes; there can't have been much left to film.

The second problem was that Spencer Tracy kept coming on to Irene Dunne, which made her furious, and she complained to the front office. She never worked with him again, which is a pity, because they made a charismatic screen couple.

Spencer Tracy is fantastic as a cocky pilot who comes down to earth only when he dies. His scenes as he stands behind Dunne telling her what he should have said to her while alive are very tender.

Dunne is excellent as always - strong yet vulnerable, and she gets to sing "I'll Get By" in her lovely soprano. Johnson, in his breakthrough role, is good-looking, boyish, and likable.

One of the nicest thing about "A Guy Named Joe" is some of the lighting effects - the silhouette of Dunne as she says goodbye to Pete; the look of his plane in the distance when she first arrives - these really add to the sense of foreboding.

Strangely, when viewed today, "A Guy Named Joe" is a feminist movie in more ways than even it knew. Dunne is a female pilot and proves her mettle in a dangerous mission. But more than that, consider the fact that she becomes involved with Johnson in the film and was 18 years his senior! She was 45 when this movie was released, and Johnson was 29.

The age difference is obvious. Good for her - playing a lead at that age while employed by Louis B, no less, and having a younger love interest! Mayer is the man who booted out Joan Crawford and didn't make any noise when Garbo and Shearer left.

If your eyes aren't moist at the end of "A Guy Named Joe," it'll be surprising. Much loved by Steven Spielberg (who remade it), and a lot of other people, it still touches the heart today and reinforced to wartime audiences that the spirit of their deceased ones continues on, with love the tie that binds.

Irene Dunne is what makes any movie she is in, superb! No female actor today, or for that matter in the 30s and 40s can compare to her wholesomeness, versatility, and talent! This movie was a lesson in many aspects of life. It was made during a time that these things were much needed but we can certainly apply the same selflessness to our daily lives today. It is funny and dramatic, fast moving and keeps your interest. Spencer Tracy is good, so was Van Johnson in that part! Ward Bond is always so good at anything he dose, he is such a great SUPPORTING actor he supports and complements, he always seems to be the character he is playing.

Yet, again I must say Irene Dunne is a Jewel, she does every character in such a believable manner you feel they could be your next door neighbor. Thank You Irene !

This is one of the best love stories ever. It isn't a war story, war simply happens to be the setting. And I don't see how a movie can prevent nations from winning a war. The whole fact that Spencer Tracy's character loves Irene Dunne's so much that he will watch her marry another man is the most amazing testimony of love. I don't know how you can watch one of the final scenes; in which Tracy and Dunne are in the plane and he says that their love is too good to make her unhappy; and still call "A Guy Named Joe," a silly movie. Again, the war was simply a setting, because war in itself isn't very interesting, it is the human experience in war which creates a story.

The Fact that Spielberg enjoyed and admired it so much that he remade it also says a little for the film.

'A Guy Named Joe' had a lot going for it, as cliched as this sounds it is a good way of describing something that have a lot of major things that makes one want to see it. Something that has happened numerous times but with varied success in execution. Victor Fleming was responsible for great films, 'The Wizard of Oz' and 'Gone With the Wind' being timeless. Also respect Spencer Tracy and Irene Dunne highly as actors so that was another interest point.

Watching it finally, 'A Guy Named Joe' may not completely live up to its potential and everybody involved gave better performances in better things. It does however have more than enough to make it well worth watching and it still is a good representation of the cast and Fleming, so promise is a long way from squandered (am very happy about that as that is a pet peeve of mine watching films etc and has happened many, many times).

Sure, it is not going to work for everybody and is in no way my definition of a classic. The story can be silly and is not always realistic, with it not always gelling with the wartime setting. The effects do show their age and are really quite artificial.

The script can descend into melodramatic soap, not always but when it does it is as subtle as a sledgehammer.

However, 'A Guy Named Joe' shows a lot of polish and care, without being too glossy, in the production values. One can really see the effort in the lavishly produced, without being overly elaborate, sets and equally handsome photography. The music avoids being too stock or syrupy, as well as not being too intrusive. Fleming's direction shows no signs of coldness or indifference, it instead came over as assured and sympathetic while showing momentum. The script is not perfect but nothing came over as toe-curling and the cast show a lot of committment in making it ring true.

Like the script, the story is not perfect but it is never dull, the air sequences do have an exciting momentum regardless of how they hold up visually and the emotional impact is definitely there. Will admit to feeling misty-eyed at the end, and didn't think that the film got too sentimental and despite being a film with heavy-handedness being a big danger it just about avoided that mostly (lapses of subtlety is obvious at times having said that) though somewhat by the skin of its teeth. The cast are uniformly strong, with a subtle and charming performance from Tracy and a truly heartfelt one from Dunne. Their chemistry does have a spark, couldn't tell that behind the scenes they apparently didn't get along. Van Johnson's acting here is some of his best and it is always great to see Lionel Barrymore and Esther Williams.

In a nutshell, well worth watching if not a classic. 7/10