Cagney is amazing!
Jimmy Cagney was 51 when he made this movie, but he dances like a twenty-something! He is delightful to watch, and makes the most of a pretty flimsy plot. What an extraordinary talent!
shareFlimsy? That's being kind. If I were a West Point Cadet, or an ex-cadet, or a graduate of the Point, I think I'd sue.
What really shocked me was reading the end credits stating that USMA actually offered assistance in the creation of this Military... Debacle.
Methinks Euroclydon would benefit from lightening up a little!
Yes, the movie is flawed, pedestrian fluff in many ways and every bit as inaccurate as you say. Doesn't take away from the entertainment aspect of this picture, though, which, by the way, is the main goal of all but the most pretentious of filmmakers.
Cagney is a joy to watch, strutting his stuff and fit as a fiddle at 51; Virginia Mayo, as always, is eye candy; Doris Day is, well, what can I say, as wholesome as ever; and it's a good showcase for the talented young Gordon McCrea. Also worth noting is suporting player Alan Hale, Jr., best known as the Skipper from the '60's television sitcom, Gilligan's Island.
Sorry the movie doesn't conform to your standards of accuracy in regards to its portrayal of West Point and its cadets, but the filmgoers bought their tickets because they wanted to be entertained by the talents represented above, not so much because they wanted to be schooled by a documentary.
Whatever you do, DO NOT read this sig--ACKKK!!! TOO LATE!!!
I love watching Cagney do almost anything, and especially when he dances or when he speaks Yiddish (which he even does in this movie for a fraction of a second: "Feh!").
And very touching to see him with Alan Hale, Jr., when I remember Cagney and Alan Hale, Sr. as father and son "The Strawberry Blonde".