A Guy Named Joe: Remembering Those Who Served and Sacrificed
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As Memorial Day approaches, you’ll see war movie marathons on various services including Turner Classic Movies (TCM).
It might not be a genre that you’d normally seek out but I believe these films teach us a lot about the time period including, the beliefs, and the values held by many. And even though they may not be completely factually accurate, they still offer tremendous value to us even today.
Holidays/rememberance dates like Memorial Day, Independence Day, or Veteran’s Day are typically times when films like The Longest Day, 30 Seconds Over Tokyo, or even Saving Private Ryan are commonly thought of and shown. Instead of sharing one of the well-known war movies of Hollywood’s Golden Age or a modern classic, I wanted to share one that’s a Hidden Gem and close to my heart: A Guy Named Joe.
As I mentioned before, I got my love of classic movies from my mother. I can’t remember exactly when my mom first insisted that this was a must-watch movie; but she told me why it meant so much to her: She saw it with my dad on their first date.
And if that wasn’t sweet enough, my dad, whose name was Joe, would write my mom letters and send her cards while they were apart and would sign them “Just a guy named Joe.”
No wonder she fell for him.
What’s A Guy Named Joe About?
Plot Summary: Pete Sandidge is a hotshot pilot in love with Dorinda Durston, a female Air Transport Auxiliary Pilot during WWII. When Pete’s killed in the line of duty, he’s assigned the job of coaching a new pilot.
Watch this intro from TCM:
Reaction to the Film On Its Debut and Reputation Now
Even though it was largely well received, both critically and commercially, there were some who dismissed it as nothing more than propaganda to support the war effort.
Novelist and journalist James Agee , who became Time magazine’s film critic in 1941, gave a fairly scathing review of the movie’s story and casting. He felt Spencer Tracy (the male lead) was wrong for the part and Clark Gable or James Cagney would have been better cast. He also didn’t feel any chemistry between Tracy and Irene Dunne who played his love interest, feeling that Katherine Hepburn (who Tracy is reported to have wanted) would have been a better choice.
Is A Guy Named Joe is a True Classic?
There are some people who would classify this as a classic just for the basic facts that it was made in the Golden Age of Hollywood and the main cast and co-stars are among the legends of Hollywood.
I don’t deny that when you examine the movie at a deeper level, it has some issues (like the choice of main theme music, the age of the main leads, and some facts for example), but if you can just let go and experience the movie with an element of openness I think you’ll see why Steven Spielberg counts it among his favorites. He liked it so much reimagined it in 1989, as Always.
Why It’s Worth a Watch
I think this is a sweet Hidden Gem of the era and the genre and definitely worth a watch for many reasons including:
- All of the performances are very good, especially Van Johnson (more on him in a minute) and Esther Williams in a small role in her 4th film.
- The Oscar-nominated original story.
- The film’s special effects were impressive for the day, especially Pete’s landing in the opening minutes of the film. (Regardless of the fact that it’s unrealistic.)
But most of all, it’s worth watching to be reminded of the powerful sacrifice, heroism, and dedication on the part of so many, especially those who paid the ultimate price to crush Nazism.
Subtext and Deeper Messaging
Warning: Some mild spoilers below
Bravery vs Recklessness. One of the things I noticed when I watched this recently was that Pete is called a hero as if the term is an insult. He’s accused of being a lone wolf who takes unnecessary risks to achieve a goal, as if he’s more interested in applause than driven to achieve a goal.
That’s not something I got from his behavior. Sure, he’s a bit cocky but I don’t know how those people who really were (and are) flying aces aren’t.
I’m sure there’s an element of an adrenaline rush for some who take those chances and make it back; but I felt that Pete was genuinely demonstrating a drive to do his job well and a willingness to put himself at risk rather than jeopardize the lives of those in his command. Those are important qualities in a leader.
Love and Loss. Wiser people than I have written about this subject and I won’t begin to comment on the topic of losing someone in the line of duty. But watching this recently made me wonder about the survivor’s guilt that Pete’s friend, Al must have felt. Then there’s Pete’s girlfriend, Dorinda. Queen Elizabeth is reported to have said that “Grief is the price we pay for love.” So what we have to ask ourselves is do we stay safe and never risk the pain of loss or do we love, knowing we’re likely to experience loss and pain on some level and at some point?
We’re all connected. There’s a sweet scene early in the movie where a group of children is talking with Pete about flying. There’s a bit of trying to jockey for position in the group, and one boy proudly says, “Well, I’ve got an uncle in America; that’s more than you have.” Elizabeth, the lone girl in the group, responds, “Everyone has an uncle in America.” A lovely reminder–then and now–that in the States, most of our families came from somewhere else.
Later in the film, the new flyers are having dinner at an Asian restaurant when a server comes to the table with the check. Van Johnson uses a pickup line Pete had put in his ear, “You remind me of my sister.” She smiles and responds, “We’re all brothers and sisters, aren’t we?”
Both of those moments are lovely little reminders that we’re all connected and united by more than we are different.
Life After Death. Pete’s given an assignment in the afterlife. He’s to guide a young pilot to improve his skills and confidence. His charge ends up meeting Dorinda, who’s still deeply mourning Pete’s loss. I’ve interviewed grief counselors and those who’ve experienced loss. I’ve also experienced the deaths of friends and loved ones. Those I spoke with helped me see that it’s not about “closure” or “moving forward” but “moving with” our grief. We simply learn to deal with it. But if we love greatly, we feel loss greatly.
The lingering impact of battle. Late in the film, there’s a dogfight, and Ted (Van Johnson) is having dinner with Dorinda and Al. He’s obviously shaking. Dorinda tries to minimize it as something to be expected. Ted talks about who was lost in the fight. Al talks about how pilots who “wash out” die doing what they love most. It’s just a short moment that’s meant to highlight Ted’s channeling of a nervous tic that he now shares with Pete, but we now know that even those who survived were wounded emotionally if not physically.
Snapshot – Details About the Movie
Production and Release
- Rating: This movie isn’t rated. The ratings system didn’t begin until 1968. Some subject matter and imagery might not be suitable for young people or those easily affected by scenes of battle or related subject matter.
- Genre: Wartime Romantic drama, fantasy
- Studio: MGM (This movie was one of their top grossing films for 1944)
- Filming Locations: In addition to MGM studios, portions were filmed at several Air Force bases including…
- Columbia Army Air Base (Columbia, SC)
- Randolph Air Force Base (San Antonio, TX)
- Drew Field (Tampa, FL)
- Luke Air Force Base (Glendale, AZ)
- Director: Victor Fleming – Legendary Oscar-winning director of Gone with the Wind
Screenplay & Source Material
- Original Story by: Chandler Sprague & David Boehm
- Screenplay written by: Dalton Trumbo
- Adaptation by: Frederick Hazlitt Brennan
Main Characters and Cast:
Major Pete Sandidge, a top fighter pilot – Spencer Tracy. Hollywood legend, had already won two Best Actor Oscars (Captains Courageous and Boys Town).
Dorinda Durstan, Pete’s girlfriend and a top pilot herself – Irene Dunne. (Under-rated) Hollywood legend. Nominated for 5 Oscars, with zero wins. Won 20 Photoplay Awards for “Best Performance of the Month.”
Al Yackey, Pete’s best friend and wing-man – Ward Bond. Legendary character actor with 278 film and TV credits. Known for The Maltese Falcon, It’s a Wonderful Life, and Mr. Roberts. College roommate of John Wayne.
Lt. Colonel “Nails” Kirkpatrick, Pete’s commanding officer – James Gleason. Legendary character actor, known for Here Comes Mr. Jordan (Oscar-nominated), Arsenic and Old Lace, and The Bishop’s Wife.
Ted Randall, a new pilot in Pete’s former group – Van Johnson. Legendary, versatile actor was also a song and dance man. This was his breakout role, but he was almost removed from the picture. He and Tracy went on to become good friends. Known for Brigadoon.
Facts & Behind the Scenes Details
🎬 Tracy and Dunne didn’t get along at first. In the TCM intro above, it’s mentioned that Dunne complained about “harassment.” She’s said that Tracy would whisper sexual comments to her and rub himself against her. Others cite that Dunne sensed that Tracy didn’t want her for the part and had advocated for Katherine Hepburn to get the part.
🎬 Van Johnson was in a horrific car accident. While reportedly driving to a screening of Tracy’s film, Keeper of the Flame, Johnson’s car was struck and he was thrown from the vehicle, hitting his head on a curb and fracturing his skull. His severe injuries left him hospitalized for weeks.
Louis B. Mayer wanted to replace Johnson, but Tracy (and in some reports, Dunne) fought for him to stay. Mayer halted production to wait for him to recover but apparently used this as a bargaining chip to get Tracy to stop harassing Dunne.
🎬 If you look closely, you’ll notice there are scenes where Johnson does and does not have a scar on his forehead (most noticeably above his right eye). He had a metal plate inserted in his forehead to repair the damage.
🎬 The “Joe” in the title is a reference. American men who were seen as good guys were referred to as a “Joe”.
🎬 One of the children in the opening scene is Edward Hardwicke in his first screen role. Son of Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Edward had a long career, including the films Shadowlands and Love, Actually. He’s probably best known as Dr. Watson from the Granada Television production of the Sherlock Holmes stories starring Jeremy Brett.
🎬 “I’ll Get By (as Long as I Have You)” became a hit. The song had been popular in 1928, but saw a major resurgence in 1944 after being featured in A Guy Named Joe. It became a chart-topping hit for Harry James and his orchestra, ranking #3 for the year.
🎬 Female flyers played an important role in WWII. Dorinda is in the Air Traffic Auxiliary. She’s a civilian pilot who works closely with the military, ferrying aircraft for the war effort. While she isn’t officially enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces, she plays a crucial role in supporting military operations by transporting planes to various bases.
Dorinda’s role reflects the real-life contributions of women pilots during WWII, similar to those in the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program, who ferried aircraft and performed non-combat flying duties to support the war effort.
🎬 Ted Randall’s fortune. When Ted’s introduced it’s mentioned that he recently inherited $4 million. That would equal about $74.7 million in 2025 dollars.
🎬 Ted’s character is awarded the DFC – Distinguished Flying Cross. That’s the same medal Pete was awarded posthumously.
Raise a Glass to Salute Our Brave Service Men and Women
Memorial Day is typically the unofficial start to the summer season and celebrated with parades, barbecues, and sales. But it’s more than that. It’s about mourning the loss of those who served and honoring their bravery.
I hope you take a minute to honor all who served; and to help you do that we’ve got a couple of great drinks to toast them too.
Naturally, we’re not saying you have to drink and you don’t have to drink alcohol (it’s why we provide recipes to alcohol-free mocktails in addition to cocktails). If you do choose to indulge, don’t drink and drive and don’t let your loved ones drink and drive either. If you’re pregnant or there’s a chance you might be, don’t consume alcohol because it could harm your baby.
So pick the beverage of your choice to toast with. We’re going to start with the cocktail, Wings of Valor.
Let’s look at what you need first. Few things are more annoying than getting ready to make something and finding you don’t have what you need.
Equipment
- Something to mix the cocktail in — a cocktail shaker, mixing glass, or even a jar with a lid
- Something to stir with — a bar spoon, ice tea spoon, or other long-handled tool (I’ve used an icing spatula before)
- Something to measure liquids with — a jigger, shot glass-sized measuring cup, or measuring spoons
- Something to strain the drink with — a hand-held, fine mesh strainer or a cocktail strainer
- A coupe or martini glass, chilled
Ingredients
- Rye Whiskey
- Sweet Vermouth
- Cherry liqueur
- Angostura Bitters
- Brandied Cherry or a lemon (for the peel)
Wings of Valor
Equipment
- 1 Cocktail Shaker or Mixing Glass
- 1 Bar Spoon
- 1 Jigger, Mini Measuring shot glass, or Measuring Spoon
- 1 Hawthorne strainer Or something else to strain the drink with after shaking it
- 1 Chilled Coupe or Martini Glass
- 1 Paring knife (if using lemon peel as a garnish)
Ingredients
- 2 oz Rye Whiskey
- 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
- 1/2 oz Cherry Liqueur Recommend Heering or Luxardo)
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
- 1 Branded Cherry or Lemon Twist for garnish Pick your favorite, but don't skip the garnish. It really elevates the drink and makes the thing more special.
- Ice cubes and cold water to chill the glass
Instructions
Prep Your Glass
- Pop your coupe or martini glass into the freezer or fill it with ice and cold water while you prep
Mix the Drink
- Add ingredients (other than the garnish) to your shaker or mixing glass
- Stir, don't shake. Use your bar spoon to stir gently for 20 to 30 seconds. You're trying to chill and blend, not dilute the alcohol too much.
- Strain into the chilled glass. If you put ice or water in there to chill it, dump that out first.
Prep the Garnish (if using lemon peel)
- Garnish by dropping in a brandied cherry or express a twist of lemon peel over the drink and place it on the rim or in the glass. Directions for the peel follow.
- Wash and dry the lemon
- Use the peeler to remove a thin strip of lemon peel, getting mostly zest and little of the white pith
- Hold peel over the drink with the yellow side facing down over the glass
- Pinch and twist to release the oils, then twist it slightly to enhance and "express" the oils.
- Rub the peel around the rim. Optional but boosts the fragrance and flavor.
- Enjoy!
Why Wings of Valor is a Good Cocktail Choice for A Guy Named Joe
The base of this drink is a Manhattan – a classic, just like the film. The hint of cherry evokes the romance at the heart of the story while honoring the bittersweet overtones.
Your Alcohol-Free Mocktail Option: Pilot’s Honor
This zero-alcohol drink feels elevated and dignified. The flavors of tart cherry, black tea, and spice nod to the grounded strength and complexity of emotion shared by those who served and the attempt to communicate those emotions in this movie.
Here’s what you’ll need for this:
Equipment
- Heat-safe mug or teapot
- Fine mesh strainer (if you’re not using tea bags for the tea)
- Spoon
- Citrus juicer (there are several styles. I have a vintage one I picked up at an estate sale)
- Highball or Rocks Glass
Ingredients
- Black tea (one tea bag or enough loose tea to make one serving)
- Tart cherry juice (unsweetened preferably)
- Lemon juice (preferably fresh squeezed)
- Honey Syrup (recipe is in the Notes below) or Agave syrup
- Cinnamon
- Fruit for garnish – either a lemon wheel or a cherry
Pilot’s Honor (Alcohol-Free Mocktail)
Equipment
- 1 Heat safe mug or teapot
- 1 Fine mesh strainer (if not using a teabag)
- 1 Spoon
- Citrus Juicer
- 1 Highball or rocks glass
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup strong brewed black tea (cooled to room temperature)
- 1/2 cup Tart Cherry Juice (unsweetened if possible)
- 1/2 oz Lemon juice (fresh squeezed preferred)
- pinch Ground Cinnamon (optional, for warmth)
- 1/2 oz Honey Syrup or Agave (See instructions below)
- About a cup of ice or more to chill the drink
- Lemon wheel or cherry for garnish Lemon wheel is a round slice of lemon
Instructions
Brew the Tea
- Boil 6 to 8 oz of water (either in the mug or in a teapot)
- Pour just-boiled water into mug if using a teapot
- Add black tea bag to mug and let steep for 5 to 7 minutes
- Remove bag and let cool to room temperature or chill slightly
Mix the Base
- In a shaker or glass, combine 1/2 cup of cooled tea, the cherry juice, honey syrup or agave, and tiny pinch of cinnamon (if using)
- Add the ice to the shaker and, if shaking, put the top on the shaker.
- Add ice to the glass you'll be drinking out of.
- Shake or stir. Shake or stir briskly to combine and chill.
- Remove the lid of the shaker if using and top with a strainer or use a fine mesh strainer and pour the contents through the strainer into the glass over fresh ice.
Garnish
- Wash the fruit you'll be using.
- If adding the lemon wheel, slice the lemon in half, then slice about 1/4 inch thick slice.
- To create a wheel for the glass, use the tip of your paring knife to cut from the center out in one slice.
- Gently separate the lemon where you sliced it and put it on the drink glass.
- Or skip all that and just pop a cherry in.
Notes
You’ll only use a little honey syrup in a cocktail so make more than you need and then store it in a jar with a tight lid in your refrigerator for up to 4 weeks. Make honey syrup with a 1:1 ratio of honey and hot water. So, 1/4 cut of honey with 1/4 cup of hot water. I spray a glass measuring cup with a quick burst of Pam (cooking spray) to make it easier for the honey to slide out of the cup. You can do this in whatever way you’re comfortable…measure the water and pop it in the microwave for a few seconds, then pour it into the honey, stirring continuously….put the water and the honey into a pot on the stove on low and stir continuously until warm and smooth. You’re just looking to blend them together, not get it to boil. Hope that helps.
How to Watch A Guy Named Joe
As of this writing, the movie is available to watch free (with ads) on Tubi.
You can also rent it on the major streaming services including..
- Amazon Prime Video
- Fandango at Home
- Apple TV
- YouTube
That’s a Wrap!
I hope you give this hidden gem from Hollywood’s Golden Age a chance and that you enjoy it as much as I do (if not as much as Steven Spielberg does).
And remember to take a minute to remember and honor all those who served and paid the ultimate price.