Spencer Tracy

Spencer Tracy whispers sweet nothings into the ear of Irene Dunne.

Spencer Tracy is recognised as one of the greatest ever cinema actors. He appeared in some of my all time favourite movies, Captains Courageous, Boys Town, San Francisco.

He could be very loyal to those he liked, or a complete monster to those to whom he took an umbrage. The 1943 movie, A Guy Named Joe, showed both these sides of his character.

In the movie he played a pilot during WWll who was in love with the Irene Dunne character. He was killed and his spirit was given the task of looking after a young pilot played by Van Johnson in his first big role.

Spencer took an instant liking to Van and an instant dislike to Irene. Instant dislikes were quite common to Spencer. Peter Lawford who had been given a small role in, Plymouth Adventure, was removed before filming because Spencer decided he didn’t like him.

He showed his dislike of Irene by teasing her during rehearsals which had her in tears. This is the story that was put about for years. Teasing. A fairly innocent word. It’s something children do but you just develop a thick skin and deal with it.

It was years later that the truth came out and it was something worse that simple teasing. During rehearsing romantic scenes where he had to lean into her he whispered the most disgusting filth into her ear. He went into graphic detail of what he would like to do with her if he had her alone. Irene was shocked, frightened and disgusted by his fantasies. She complained to the studio heads who could do very little. They were probably guilty of worse themselves such were the prevailing attitudes of the times. And probably now too.

It was Van Johnson who helped come up with a solution. Literally accidentally. He suffered a bad car crash which necessitated a long convalescence. The studio announced their intention of having him replaced in the picture. One hearing this Spencer stepped in using his influence in voicing his support of Van and insisting they wait till his recovery.

Someone in the studio obviously had a brainwave when he realised they had the solution of Irene’s problem. He simply said to Spencer, Ok, lay off Irene and we’ll keep Van in the picture. Spencer immediately agreed and the picture was finished to everyone’s pleasure and was a huge hit.

Spencer and Van went on to make three more movies together. Spencer and Irene? No, never.