A Guy Named Joe is a 1943 American supernatural romantic drama film directed by Victor Fleming. The film was produced by Everett Riskin, and starred Spencer Tracy, Irene Dunne, and Van Johnson. The screenplay, written by Dalton Trumbo and Frederick Hazlitt Brennan, was adapted from a story by Chandler Sprague and David Boehm, for which they were nominated for an Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Story.

The film is notable for being Van Johnson's first major role. It also features the popular song "I'll Get By (As Long as I Have You)" by Fred Ahlert and Roy Turk, performed in the film by Irene Dunne.

Steven Spielberg's 1989 film Always is a remake of A Guy Named Joe, and stars Richard Dreyfuss, Holly Hunter, and John Goodman. Always updates the story for a 1989 setting, exchanging the World War II backdrop to one of aerial firefighting.

PLOT

Maj. Pete Sandidge is a very able pilot who seems to have a streak of luck as far as flying goes. World War II is raging and Pete has come out of it pretty so far. He even has a beautiful girlfriend Dorinda Durston, herself a qualified pilot who ferries aircraft to different bases. When Pete is killed, he finds himself in heaven and learns that every pilot has a guardian angel. He returns to Earth where, unseen by anyone, he coaches a pilot-in-training Ted Randall. Ted is a pretty good kid and is coming along nicely but when he's shipped to New Guinea he runs into Dorinda who has remained faithful to her lost love. As Ted pursues her, Pete will have to decide what he wants to do about it.

REAR COVER

The year was 1944. Overseas, the war raged. Back home, a war-torn population suffered the loss of loved ones. Along came A Guy Named Joe - a fanciful, heartwarming tale based on the legend that pilots never die but return to guide fledgling airmen - and the public welcomed it with open arms.

Charming, daredevil hero Spencer Tracy, lauded by Daily Variety as "magnificent in. every phase of his performance." stars with Irene Dunne, Van Johnson, Ward Bond and Esther Williams. Director Victor Fleming (Gone With the Wind) previously teamed with Tracy in 1937's Captains Courageous - for which Tracy received a Best Actor Oscar®.

Dalton Trumbo, another Academy Award®-winner*, wrote the fine script. With its masterful mix of fantasy and reality, it comes as no surprise that A Guy Named Joe is an all-time film favorite. See for yourself.

* 1956: Best Motion Picture Story - The Brave One.