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Movie Description
Spencer Tracy plays a danger-be-damned ace fighter pilot in one of the most popular films of the World War II era, A GUY NAMED JOE. When Tracy dies taking out a German aircraft carrier, he is sent back to Earth as the guardian angel for a young pilot. The assignment proves to be his toughest yet when the young pilot makes eyes at Tracy's still bereaved girlfriend. This funny, fanciful, intelligent, and sentimental classic explores how new love can overcome the sorrow of grief.
Synopsis
Victor Fleming (GONE WITH THE WIND, THE WIZARD OF OZ) directs and Spencer Tracy stars in this witty, warmhearted World War II classic about ace fighter pilots, love, duty, and true friendship. Tracy plays Pete Sandidge, a fighter pilot with a devil-may-care attitude. After crashing into a German aircraft carrier, Sandidge finds himself in heaven, where the general (Lionel Barrymore) sends him back to Earth as a guardian angel for a young pilot, Ted Randall (Van Johnson). Sandidge admirably guides his charge through flight school and pilot training but loses his cool when Randall falls for Sandidge's ex-girlfriend, Dorinda Durston (Irene Dunne). Sandidge is called back to heaven and berated by the general for his nonangelic behavior. When Sandidge returns to Earth, Randall is assigned to an extremely dangerous mission that threatens to change everything. Director Fleming navigates a top-flight drama that was later remade by Steven Spielberg as ALWAYS.
Film Notes
Early into production, a brutal car accident sent Van Johnson flying through his windshield. His skull was ripped open, and a metal plate had to be inserted into his crushed forehead. MGM executive Louis Mayer considered replacing Johnson until an aghast Spencer Tracy threatened to walk off the picture. The schedule was pushed back several months to allow Johnson to recover, forcing Irene Dunne, who was already promised to THE WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER, to act two roles simultaneously.
A GUY NAMED JOE was a great commercial success, taking in four million dollars during its first release.
Spoiler: In the original ending, Irene Dunne dies flying the dangerous mission, and she and Spencer Tracy are reunited in heaven. MGM executives found this ending too morose, enraging director Victor Fleming, who subsequently walked out of his contract and stayed away from film for more than a year.
"In the Army Air Corps, any fellow who is a right fellow is called Joe."
In 1989, Steven Spielberg directed a remake of this film entitled ALWAYS. It starred Richard Dreyfuss in the role of the dead pilot, Holly Hunter as his former love, and Brad Johnson as his young protégé.
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