The West Point Story (1950)

hyped garbage

Beautiful, moving film.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

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.

Jimmy Cagney reunites with his White Heat co-star Virginia Mayo in a very different kind of movie - a musical comedy about a Broadway director who goes to the West Point military academy to put on a show. Cagney is the Broadway director and Mayo is his singing and dancing girlfriend. The two have a banter and chemistry that I enjoyed a lot. Doris Day is Cagney's movie star protégé he ropes into helping with the show. She falls for West Point cadet Gordon MacRae and the two sing quite a bit. It's an enjoyable film, although the songs are mostly forgettable. I think this was meant as more of a showcase for rising stars Day and MacRae but it's Cagney and Mayo who keep the film interesting. Added bonus is seeing Alan Hale, Jr. act alongside Cagney. Jimmy was in several movies with Alan Hale, Sr. who died earlier this same year.

In a blatant attempt to recapture the spirit of James Cagney's 1942 hit "Yankee Doodle Dandy" (the trailer even promises this to be "the dandiest Yankee Doodle of them all!") comes a highly-concocted story from Irving Wallace about a down-and-out-showman staging a musical revue at a military academy. Corny in the extreme, but hoofing Cagney's still got the goods; his dance routines liven up the pace of this puff-piece, though they don't exactly make it a memorable vehicle for any of the stars. Virginia Mayo and Doris Day are the gals on hand, and Day's fans will surely be disappointed by her weak musical material and the fact she gets the short shrift in favor of Mayo (who has the better role and yet still projects all the personality of a fashionable mannequin). ** from ****

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!"