Majorthebys Charming and brutal

Freaktana A Major Disappointment

HottWwjdIam There is just so much movie here. For some it may be too much. But in the same secretly sarcastic way most telemarketers say the phrase, the title of this one is particularly apt.

Juana what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

HotToastyRag After James Cagney won his Oscar for Yankee Doodle Dandy, he acted in a few other show biz films to continue to show off his tap dancing talents. His performance in The West Point Story was so awful, I can only suppose he was sick and tired of being cast in musicals and wanted to embarrass himself so much the studios would never cast him in one again. His character was supposed to throw frequent temper tantrums, but he spent the entire film over-acting, over-gesturing, and over-yelling. If I wasn't convinced of his ulterior motives, I would have felt very sorry for him.In the movie, James Cagney is a washed-up theater director put in charge of a rinky-dink variety show at West Point. He brings his best gal, Virginia Mayo, along, but despite his horrible treatment of her and the sudden appearance of dozens of handsome uniforms, she only has eyes for Jimmy. It doesn't make any sense, but neither does the rest of the screenplay. The romances are contrived and uninspired, and the obstacles are resolved in unrealistic, far from poignant paths. When James Cagney "sang" the production number "B'klyn," my mom and I groaned and buried our heads in our hands. "I'd rather listen to 'The International Rag'!" my mom lamented, referencing our favorite love-to-hate song from Call Me Madam. Even with Doris Day, Gordon MacRae, Gene Nelson, and Virginia Mayo rounding out the supporting cast, there isn't even one good number to make the movie worthwhile. There's no reason for you to rent this one, unless you have a low opinion of James Cagney and want to keep it that way.

John T. Ryan MUCH LIKE THE proverbial knight who hops on his horse and attempts to ride out into all directions at once, this film tries too hard to please its audience in too many ways. Rather than opting for one main genre (i.e., musical comedy), its mission in celluloid life appears to have intended as multi-genre comedy, musical, drama, service picture and show biz behind the scenes saga/tribute.THE CAST WAS superb. It reunited stars James Cagney and Virginia Mayo from their success of the previous year in WHITE HEAT; although the pairing was hardly to be considered neither as intense nor nearly as memorable. it also served as a re-teaming of Doris Day and Gordon Mac Rae; who apparently were intended to be a team.ALSO PROMINENT IN he cast is "Skipper" (himself), Alan Hale, Jr.; who does some great on screen support in dramatic and comic relief. It is in fact as noticeable of a screen appearance that he had during a long career in both the movies and television.WITH THE EXCEPTION of what appears to be an excessive application of the art of the Rear Screen Projection. Cagney & Mayo are seen in what seems to be an eternity of walking/talking with the West Point campus shown behind them.SOME ENJOYABLE PERFORMANCES turned in by Gene Nelson, Roland Winters and an unbilled Frank Ferguson are worth mentioning. Added to a typically "anonymous" Warner Brothers stock company providing the needed support.AS FOR OUR recommendations, we say see it, once anyway. It will definitely amuse, if somewhat confound.

vincentlynch-moonoi 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.

rube2424 This one was a real disappointment. I mean with James Cagney, Doris Day, Virginia Mayo and Gene Nelson how could they go wrong! Somehow they did. Cursed with a dumb screenplay, clutzy direction, far too many stock shots of West Point and pretty sloppy rear screen projections, WEST POINT STORY just doesn't make it. Cagney is great as always, as is Doris Day, (and that the Academy has never seen fit to give her an honorary Oscar is a real crime!), but the songs they have, by Sammy Kahn and Julie Styne, no less are instantly forgettable. And to put the icing on the cake, the thing is filmed in not so glorious black and white!!! I can't believe that Jack Warner couldn't have sprung for color, but there you are! (Remember, this is the same man who passed on Julie Andrews for MY FAIR LADY!) Anyway, see it for Cagney and Doris, but otherwise give it a pass. A five..not horrible..not great...just "Bleh!"