A Guy Named Joe (1943)

Stars: Irene Dunne, Spencer Tracy, Van Johnson
Plot: A brash pilot is killed in action. His spirit is given the mission of guiding a new pilot and dealing with his grieving girlfriend.
Plus: Spenser Tracy, a nice closing scene, Irene Dunne, Good Model work
Minus: Slang filled 40s dialog, too long, Cast is too old, Lack of realism.

Since I'd just read a Trumbo biography, I decided to view one of his movies. Trumbo wrote the original script although it was drastically revised - thank God. Supposedly, Trumbo's script ended with the pilots of 24 nationalities being called out by name, (including the Spanish Republicans!) and the closing words "All out, all out, All out for the battle of Tokyo! All out for the battle of Berlin!" Good lord.

The actual movie isn't that bad, but its probably the oddest "WW 2 Propaganda film" ever made by Hollywood. Only three action scenes, and one with a woman pilot. No derogatory mention of the enemy except for an occasional "J*p*" and "Heine". No flag waving patriotism.

The main problem with the film is the cast is far too old and that Dunne and Tracy lack chemistry (supposedly Tracy disliked Dunne and kidded her mercilessly). Tracy is far too old and fat to play the "Brash young pilot" and when Van Johnson romances Dunne it feels like a kid going after his High School Teacher. The movie is also filled with awful 1940s "Hey Joe, whatta y'know" slang. There are too many lines like: "Hey, lets give those Hennies something to chew on" and "Don't get too big for yer britches, Princeton". Ugh. OTOH, Tracy and Dunne give it their all, and despite the script manage (setting aside their "Love story") to almost create believable characters. The ending scene is quite touching.