Customer Reviews

The West Point Story

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Set at West Point, this musical centers on Elwin Bixby's (James Cagney) misadventures as he tries to stage a show at the academy while trying to lure the young talented soldier Tom Fletcher (Gordon MacRae) away from army life and into showbusiness. Convinced that Tom's voice has star potential, Bixby uses pretty movie star Jan Wilson (Doris Day) as bait to try and charm Tom out of army life. But plans backfire when Jan falls under the spell of the handsome soldier.
Tons of singing and dancing by Gordon MacRae, Doris Day, Gene Nelson, James Cagney, and Virginia Mayo.

I feel like this movie is getting a bad rap by some of the reviewers who have this mixed up with an actual West Point recruitment video. Well, this movie is a musical, and a rather enjoyable one at that. Even though the plot is silly and a little far-fetched, it's still a lot of fun to watch. If you can go along with the story and forget about its credibility in real life, then you should have no problem. The cast is excellent and they do a good job moving the story along. James Cagney is wonderful and I couldn't keep my eyes off him for a second. Sometimes I would rewind certain parts to watch them all over again. This film was funny and the musical numbers were a joy to watch, like "By the Kissing Rock" and my favorite, "B 'Postrophe, K No 'Postrophe, L-Y-N". I say if you're still not sure about this film, just get it to watch the Brooklyn number at the end -- the dancing was superb! Bottom line, I think this was a fun movie. If you like lots of dancing, James Cagney, and Doris Day -- you got it made.

This is a rather cornball comedy for fans of Cagney-the-dancer.

Cagney is to be watched because he exudes sheer joy. It's a shame he didn't dance more in his films, but this flick preserves a fine display of hoofing talent.

"West Point Story" is one of only a few movies showing his celebrated footwork [the others being "Footlight Parade" (1934), "Something to Sing About" (1937), "Yankee Doodle Dandy" (1941) and "Seven Little Foys" (1957). Minor, but effective, dance scenes are staged in "Public Enemy" (1931) and "The Strawberry Blonde" (1940).]

Packed with stars (Doris Day, Gordon McCrae, Virginia Mayo, and Alan Hale Jr.), it focuses on a down-on-his-luck, pugnacious Broadway director (Cagney as Elwin Bixby) who winds up at West Point staging a show.

The plot is corny and slight, but Cagney makes it worthwhile. His character's temper tantrums are riotous as he jumps up and down in well-choreographed fits.

The score by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn is nice, with an exception of a goofy number called "The Military Polka."

But folks! It is the dancing you must see, especially the dance number "Brooklyn" ("B-apostrophe, K-no apostostrophe, L-Y-N!". Cagney -- in his tonally uncertain voice -- talks it with great effect. A rousing bluesly dance number ensues with a revealingly clad Virginia Mayo as a "fabulous wench from some other cent-ury."

Cag is outfitted in Cuban heels and a zoot suit, and is his sexiest with Mayo, as they strut and sidle in this number portraying a cocky Brooklynite's claim to have met the perfect dame. ("I said, 'Are you going my way/As we stroll down King's Highway?' /She whispered, 'C'est la mour'/ and I asked her 'Are you sure?' ... Yes this happened to me.") "Brooklyn" is Cagney's best dance scene ever, along with the "Give My Regards to Broadway" number in "Yankee Doodle Dandy."

You can forgive the rest of the film after seeing Cagney dance -- four scenes in all. It's equally amazing to see that this 51 year old could kick up his heels with seeming effortlessness. He was a dancing athlete, and is worth watching here.

Nowhere-going musical relies strictly on its star power, with pretty enjoyable performances. Although the plot is among the dumbest that have ever been brought to a musical film, the old songs are nearly sensational and it's fun to see Mr. Cagney dance.

Elwin Bixby (James Cagney) is the owner of a Night Club and is a down on his luck man who has been engaged to his sweet Girl Eve (Virginia Mayo) for 2 years well Eve tries to get him help so she gets him a job helping out with the West Point Academy Annual Musical their they meet Harry Eberhart (Gordon MacRae) who is the brains of the play and the one who wrote it up but one problem they have no girls to play the girls role but Bix promises the boys if they will help him out he will get Jan Wilson (Doris Day) to play the part. Well when they hear that they are all happy about the show so he gets her. And Harry and Jan fall in love the play is a hit to! Great Movie!

The West Point Story was an excellent combination of talent! The Academy itself is a great institution that was established to create strong military leadership that was both important at the time of its founding and even more so today. James Cagney learns what it takes to be a cadet, as well as oversees a student-produced stage production in which he performs dance routines with Virginia Mayo and the other cadets. Doris Day also was part of the talent show that the cadets were planning, and Gene Nelson does some great dancing. I was delighted that Gordon MacRae was given five songs to sing with his beautifully rich and powerful baritone/tenor voice. Gordon also makes a great speech describing the values that are an important aspect of being part of West Point and the many important military leaders who graduated from there and have lead the fight for freedom and democracy. If you want to hear what West Point is all about, don't miss this movie!

Is there nothing Cagney can't do? It would be rather intimidating to sing alongside powerhouses like Doris Day and Gordon MacRae, but James Cagney cannot be outdone. He's his usual stage-hogging but likable self. He's not a singing sensation, but he proves he had the confidence to pull it off. The film's weakest part is its plot; it is so insanely unrealistic and with any other actors I would've thrown this in the garbage, but the cast truly saves the day. The musical numbers aren't very catchy, but they're staged well and beautifully sung--especially by Gordon MacRae. Just leave your brain at the door and this film will entertain.

What do you get when you mix a passionate stage director, an army boy with a heck of a voice, and a pretty young movie actress? You get West Point Story, a film that emphasizes the value of hard work, honor, and commitment.

Elwin Bixby, "Bix" (James Cagney), a major Broadway stage production director, is in trouble at the beginning of the movie. His addiction to gambling on race horses is causing him to lose money and his "girl"/assistant, Eve Dillon (Virginia Mayo) threatens to get a different job. In order to preserve his good name and keep his girl, Bix accepts a deal that a former collaborator, Hal Courtland (Gene Nelson) proposes. Bix is to go to West Point Military Academy where Tom Fletcher (Gordon MacRae), Hal's nephew, is training to be a soldier. Because Tom is a phenomenal singer and great actor, Hal wants Bix to convince Tom to go into show business for a career by putting on a musical at the academy and give Tom a taste of what theater is really like (and hopefully convince him to go into the business). The catch? Bix gets a share of the profit made from Tom's first real Broadway show (which Hal would produce) and Hal doesn't offer Eve a job in Las Vegas.

At first, Bix secretly decides to convince Tom to go into show business but to act in a show that Bix would produce, not Hal. Bix then goes about doing everything he can to convince Tom that show business is for him--he even goes so far as to hook Tom up with Jan Wilson (Doris Day), a young, pretty Hollywood movie actress whom Bix helped rise to stardom, and put Jan in the play as the leading lady opposite Tom. But when things stop going according to plan, Bix finds himself in a bind as he decides what do to about Tom, as well as put on a show.

The soldiers-in-training at West Point Academy value honor and duty above all else, as well as commitment to their schooling and training. When Bix bends some rules, the boys stay fast in their beliefs and do not allow themselves to be swayed by the director. They also stick up for Bix when he breaks a rule at the Academy. In fact, friendship is a strong element in this film--several people go out of their way to do something important for a friend. The members of the cast recognize their appreciation for Bix and what he has done for them in a light-hearted by touching recognition.

As far as objectionable content goes, there isn't much to be concerned about. Bix punches a few people. He also bets on horse races, although it is implied that he breaks the habit for Eve. Bix puts his hand near Eve's chest and says, "Stick out your chest, touch my hand!" after observing a military general say the same thing to a slacking trainee. Men play the parts of girls in the show, except that Jan plays the part of the princess.

West Point Story isn't the best musical out there, but it isn't the worst, either. There are some funny moments and some touching ones. Unfortunately, like most other old films, this movie advocates that "love at first sight" between a pretty girl and a handsome boy is as close to love as you can get. The songs aren't fantastic, but Doris Day does shine in the few that she sings. Friendship is portrayed as an important thing in life in this film, as is hard work, commitment, honor, duty, and honesty.

Totally classic. James Cagney with Doris Day and a young Gordon McCrae is an excellent combination. Love U.S.M.A. and film manages to convey some of the magic of the place and its traditions.

I no sooner got the movie and it vanished. I think everyone in my family watched it before me. But it was worth waiting. His energy level was just like in Yankee Doodle Dandy. The quality of the dvd was very good.