The Pros: It's sorta fun! Cool watching James Cagney strut! Cons: The plot is far-fetched.
But okay, this is a film to savor for the (as usual) slightly over-the-top performance of James Cagney, particularly in regard to his dancing. There's something unique and special about Cagney's hoofing. A Fred Astaire he ain't, but he's still darned entertaining. A friend of mine from Pakistan, having once watched a Cagney film, said he just didn't get it. Why did Americans think he was such a great actor? I didn't (and still don't) know how to answer. But Cagney was something special.
Virginia Mayo is swell as Cagney's love interest. Gordon MacRae fine (and in fine voice) as the talented West Point Cadet. If you're watching for Doris Day, you might be a little disappointed. She's not even in the first third of the film (except for a photo in a frame). Alan Hale, Jr. is "cute" as a cadet who plays a princess, but apparently the studio didn't think he could talk well...he has few lines, despite his character being somewhat important to the story (he pales in comparison to his dad, but is likable enough).
For quite a bit of the movie, it is lacking in...something. And then as you move into the second half of the film you realize what WAS lacking, but has suddenly developed...having a "heart". The music here is not particularly great, considering it's a musical, although there is one wonderful patriotic number. The dancing is somewhat better, and, as mentioned previously, watching Cagney dance is a wonderful experience because he did it differently...and he has one particularly good dance number (despite his voice) later in the film (in a zoot suit, no less).
This is an entertaining film, though not a great film. Nice to see camera work actually done at West Point, although my guess is the stars went through their paces in Hollywood. Worth a watch, but perhaps not one for your DVD shelf.
But okay, this is a film to savor for the (as usual) slightly over-the-top performance of James Cagney, particularly in regard to his dancing. There's something unique and special about Cagney's hoofing. A Fred Astaire he ain't, but he's still darned entertaining. A friend of mine from Pakistan, having once watched a Cagney film, said he just didn't get it. Why did Americans think he was such a great actor? I didn't (and still don't) know how to answer. But Cagney was something special.
Virginia Mayo is swell as Cagney's love interest. Gordon MacRae fine (and in fine voice) as the talented West Point Cadet. If you're watching for Doris Day, you might be a little disappointed. She's not even in the first third of the film (except for a photo in a frame). Alan Hale, Jr. is "cute" as a cadet who plays a princess, but apparently the studio didn't think he could talk well...he has few lines, despite his character being somewhat important to the story (he pales in comparison to his dad, but is likable enough).
For quite a bit of the movie, it is lacking in...something. And then as you move into the second half of the film you realize what WAS lacking, but has suddenly developed...having a "heart". The music here is not particularly great, considering it's a musical, although there is one wonderful patriotic number. The dancing is somewhat better, and, as mentioned previously, watching Cagney dance is a wonderful experience because he did it differently...and he has one particularly good dance number (despite his voice) later in the film (in a zoot suit, no less).
This is an entertaining film, though not a great film. Nice to see camera work actually done at West Point, although my guess is the stars went through their paces in Hollywood. Worth a watch, but perhaps not one for your DVD shelf.