weezeralfalfa Review of The West Point Story

The West Point Story (1950)

A pleasant minor musical comedy, staffed with a variety of stars.

[7/10 · 22 May 2019]

I only got to see the first half, because my DVD went blank. Thus, I missed nearly all of Doris Day's parts, including her romance with Gordon McRae's character(Tom). The two had just finished starring in another minor musical comedy, and would costar, sometimes with dancer Gene Nelson , in 2 subsequent musical comedies. Gene is also here to do a number of dances alone or with another. I only got to see one. We have a contrast in the personalities of the 2 lead blonds, Doris greeting you like a lost puppy, while Virginia Mayo tended to be more ethereal. I only got to see Doris perform one novelty song : "Ten Thousand, 4 hundred and 32 Sheep.)! We get to see and hear some Gordon McRae in this section. His uncle, Eberhart, wants Cagney to convince him that he belongs on Broadway stages, not as a functionary in the Army. Gordon sings "One Hundred Days until June". This was followed by "By the Kissing Rock", first by Cagney and Alan Hale Jr.(who is serving as the princess in the play!), then by Cagney and Virginia. Later, it would appropriately be reprised by Gordon and DD, as their budding romance warms up. .......... Street tough Cagney shows through every now and then. Twice, he punches his former associate: Eberhart(Roland Winter), knocking him clean over his desk. Very impressive! Three times he has a spectacular maniacal fit when directing a practice dancing chorus. Then, he shows them how it should be done. Also, when Alan Hale Jr. wolf whistles at his dancing, the next time he dances close to Hale, he floors him with a sock to the chin.........Virginia is usually found around Cagney, whether in his dance practices or journey to West Point. Apparently, she is his long tern touch and go girlfriend, and periodically threatens to leave for a Las Vegas job if he doesn't quit loosing their money playing the horses. Virginia and Cagney had recently completed the very different "White Heat".........We get to see several brief examples of Cagney's unique dancing style during the dance rehearsals. Presumably, he gives additional samples during the show. If you have seen Yankee Doodle Dandy, you will recognize his dancing............Of course, the idea of a 50 year old man(Cagney) starting out as cadet, even a temporary one, is ridiculous. But, that provides some humor, as watching Cagney on his first morning as a cadet The idea of bringing in outside directors and actors, esp. female ones,,presumably is also ridiculous. Thus, most of the female characters are played by cadets, but Alan Hale Jr. gets his role as the princess chopped in favor of a real female.......In summary, from what I saw, and what others report, this looks like a fun minor musical comedy. I don't agree with those who say it has no appreciable story. It maybe wacky at times, but , it's there.........I do agree that Technicolor would have made it of greater interest.