The West Point Story (1950)

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

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.

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.

A shame really. With the talent, how could one go wrong with Doris Day, James Cagney, Gordon MacRae, Gene Nelson and Virginia Mayo, 'The West Point Story' could and should have been really good, even if not an instant classic.Well something did go wrong, because 'The West Point Story' (despite being called 'Fine and Dandy' here, being British it is being referred to by its English, and original, title, just wanted to clarify to save any confusion) was a heavily problematic, lacklustre effort that doesn't even utilise its talent very well (even though they still come off well). Not an awful film, but not a particularly good one but more of a difficult to rate film for me.The best thing about it is Cagney, who may not be exactly subtle (which came across to me as making the most out of, and doing at least something with, his material), but brings a tremendous amount of energy which is a marvel to watch. So much so that it makes one frustrated that that energy doesn't come over in most other elements. Day and MacRae also don't come off too shabbily. Day is fresh and endearing and one cannot get enough of her voice that shines even in not so great material. Meanwhile, MacRae shows off his warm baritone voice to perfection and is a charmer on screen, when he and Day are on screen they are irresistible.Mayo and Nelson deserved better (as did Day and MacRae) but do a lot with what they have. Mayo is luminous, snappy and saucy, while Nelson's dancing is as dazzling as ever. The songs are pleasant enough and sung beautifully.Against all that, of the songs there isn't one that stands out and it is crying out for a show-stopper. Likewise with having a show-stopper of a dancing sequence for Nelson, he dances really well and the choreography is witty and graceful but at the same time there is nothing extraordinary or memorable. As said though, Day and MacRae do sound wonderful and the songs suit their voices, one just wishes that the overall standard was more inspired.Nothing against black and white (there is a very big group of great films and even masterpieces in black and white), but 'The West Point Story' also cried out for Technicolor. The sets do look shoestring-budget cheap with obvious rear projection and the cinematography is dull. Roy Del Ruth is the sort of director who could do this with his eyes closed and despite some energetic moments in some of the choreography elsewhere this was a real going through the motions effort from him.Script goes overboard in the silliness and feels very limp too. Worst of all is the story, which is pedestrian in pace, takes silliness and contrivance to very high degrees and is filled with inconsistencies, dumbness and improbabilities, with very forced subplots and parts that don't really go anywhere. Day is also rather underused with a character that is given short shrift too much.Overall, very difficult to rate but generally very disappointing. 5/10 Bethany Cox

Average musical where James Cagney goes to West Point to get graduating senior Gordon MacRae out of the military so that he can pursue a show business career.Virginia Mayo and Doris Day are 2 ladies or cohorts in this scheme and go know that Day falls for MacRae causing many complications.As always, the musical productions are nicely staged as Cagney dances away 8 years after his Oscar-winning turn in "Yankee Doodle Dandy."There is some uneven moments as Cagney is castigated for being out and then is promptly honored. In fact, he gets "honored" several times in the film and it can be annoying.The songs Military Polka and the ending Brooklyn are memorable.Mayo and Cagney proved that they could dance up a storm here. When Day gets excited with Cagney, would she ever think that 5 years later the two of them would be in probably the best picture of their respective careers-"Love Me or Leave Me."Due to the weak plot, some may have wanted to leave West Point prematurely.

This has to be one of the most dismal entries on all the principal's CVs. It's also good for a trivia question: What major songwriter used the same title twice in the same decade with different collaborators? Answer: Jule Styne, who included in this score, written with established partner Sammy Cahn, a number entitled Long Before I Knew You and then, following his break-up with Cahn a couple of years later, wrote another melody with the same title as part of his score for Bells Are Ringing, with Comden and Green. Other than that - and the fact that Cagney and Day would co-star a couple of years later in Love Me Or Leave Me, or the fact that Day, McCrae and Nelson would also work together again, Tea For Two, etc - the least said a bout this turkey the better. For West Point read DISAPpoint.