Great visuals, story delivers no surprises

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

It's an efficiently staged story of Spencer Tracy and his girl friend Irene Dunne in the US Air Force in World War II. They're deeply in love. When Tracy dies a heroic death, he's sent to the Command Post in heaven and given the assignment below of shepherding young pilot Van Johnson through his training and subsequent combat in New Guinea. Irene Dunne shows up and Johnson begins courting her, much to Tracy's disgust. He ultimately gives up the power he seems to have over her and she and Van Johnson are married.The film is worth a couple of observations. One is that performers rarely get the credit they deserve for delivering the goods in comedies or, until recently, in Westerns -- with the exception of some silent comedians. Spencer Tracy's role here is mostly comic, yet it's one of his finest performances. Every line, even the corniest, seems to come directly from his character. He boasts, he sneers, he insults, he woos clumsily. He lifts the picture well above the ordinary. He gets extra credit for his skill because he doesn't LOOK at all interesting -- not handsome, not compellingly homely, just plain plain. And he doesn't have the extra juice that ethnicity or a regional dialect would give him. He looks and sounds like what he was, an ordinary guy from a small town in Wisconsin. Turning that ordinariness into a winning trait requires a certain mastery of one's art.I'll mention just one scene. Watch him just after his death. The viewer sees a vast, empty space with a few clouds in the background. The floor is covered by a foot of ground fog. (Production design by Cedric Gibbons.) Still in uniform, Tracy appears, strolling casually but purposefully towards the camera, as if he had someplace to go. His hands are in his pockets and he's whistling a pop tune. Then he spots the figure of an old friend, Barry Nelson, in the distance, dashes over to him and gives him a big hug and handshake. Boy, is he happy to meet Nelson again! Tracy expansively begins to tell him of his latest exploit in the air and after a minute or so, pauses, gives a quick glance around, and then continues bragging as before. In the middle of a sentence, he stops, looks puzzled, and says, "Somethin's cockeyed here. I saw your plane go down in flames over Brest. How'd you get out?" "I didn't," replies Nelson. The scene is utterly stupid but Tracy and his gradually growing awareness of his surroundings makes it hilarious.The second observation is that this was released in 1943, meaning it was probably written and shot in 1942. Well, this is a story about a loved one who was killed in the war, and how much we need to put our sorrow behind us and move on with our lives. And 1942 was a very bad year when it came to the good folks at home losing loved ones overseas, and the men and women overseas losing their best friends in combat. In a sense, this is a sort of documentary, a training film for civilians on how to handle the memory of people who were killed in action. Irene Dunne will never forget Tracy but, after a bit of rough handling by Tracy's friend, Ward Bond, she marries Johnson anyway. And if there are ghosts, they will understand and forgive us. They'd want us to get on with our lives.

Guy Named Joe, A (1943) *** (out of 4) Well-acted drama has a hot shot pilot (Spencer Tracy) getting killed during a WW2 battle leaving his fiancé (Irene Dunne) all alone. The dead pilot eventually comes back as a ghost to help a young pilot (Van Johnson) but soon his morals come into question when the young man starts dating his fiancé. This here seems to remain a popular movie considering how many times Turner Classic Movies plays it a year. The same can't be said for the Steven Spielberg remake, Always, which seems to have already been forgotten as one of the director's minor works. This film here is certainly sappy and predictable but the wonderful cast makes it very entertaining to watch even though the running time is a tad bit long. Tracy leads the way with a very touching performance that lets the actor show off various emotions ranging from anger to sweetness to even some nice comic tones. Tracy was also great at playing the tough guy with a heart and this here is no exception. Dunne is good in her role but I was surprised to see how blandly written it was. She basically just sits around (or stands) waiting for one of the men to come up to her and considering how star level at the time it's rather shocking to see her role not juiced up a bit. Johnson steals the film as the new pilot who mirrors Tracy's character too much. The naive innocence Johnson brings to the role is quite memorable. Lionel Barrymore, James Gleason and Ward Bond all offer up nice support. Barry Nelson and Esther Williams have small roles as well. The are a few battle scenes, which look extremely well including the main battle at the middle of the film when Tracy gets killed. The aerial footage was well shot and manages to be quite dramatic as well. The cinematography is another plus as is the music score. Again, the main problem tends to be in the screenplay, which really doesn't allow for too many surprises and that includes the ending, which isn't believable and really comes off rather silly. The great cast makes it worth watching though.

Spencer Tracy plays a World War II pilot who isn't just killed, but demolished, in the exciting opening of "A Guy Named Joe". He goes to a Heavenly place (with Lionel Barrymore in charge). There, he is given his Real Wings - he is to return to earth and be Van Johnson's "Guardian Angel". In the process, he has to deal with Mr. Johnson hooking up with his ex (Irene Dunne).The Victor Fleming-directed movie doesn't do anything to differentiate the ghostly Mr. Tracy from the Earthbound players. The story is propagandistic and illogical. But, the production looks nice, and some performances are worthy. ***** A Guy Named Joe (1943) Victor Fleming ~ Spencer Tracy, Irene Dunne, Van Johnson

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 !