The Fighting 69th (1940)
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67% of users liked it
(449 ratings)
Officially, America had no intention of entering the Second World War in 1940: Why, then, were there so many "preparedness" pictures like The Fighting 69th? This film, based on the experiences of military priest Father Duffy (Pat O'Brien), is set during World War I. The US 69th… More Officially, America had no intention of entering the Second World War in 1940: Why, then, were there so many "preparedness" pictures like The Fighting 69th? This film, based on the experiences of military priest Father Duffy (Pat O'Brien), is set during World War I. The US 69th division was a national guard contingent comprised of Irish Americans, who fought with the Rainbow Division in the years 1917-1918. Into this Hibernian stronghold comes cocky Jerry Plunkett (Jimmy Cagney), a streetwise tough who is certain that he can lick the Germans single-handedly. But during his first taste of real combat, Plunkett turns coward and inadvertently reveals the 69th's position. Held responsible for the deaths of his companions, Plunkett is sentenced to a firing squad. Thanks to a conveniently dropped bomb that levels the stockade in which he is held, Plunkett redeems himself on the battlefield by sacrificing his life to save his fellow soldiers. The beauty of James Cagney's star performance is that he is as thoroughly convincing as a "yellow belly" as he is a hero. In addition to father Duffy, the real-life personages depicted in The Fighting 69th include future OSS leader Wild Bill Donovan (George Brent) and poet Joyce Kilmer (Jeffrey Lynn). Other Irish "regulars" include Alan Hale, Frank McHugh, Dennis Morgan, and Sammy Cohen. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- William Keighley
- Written By
- Norman Reilly Raine, Fred Niblo, Dean Franklin
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics
PG,
- In Theaters
- Jan 27, 1940 Wide
- Studio
- Warner Bros. Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Among best of Cagney-O'Brien Warner team-ups, this one set in WWI.
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John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...given the time this movie was made, just before the Second World War, it seems justified for tapping into the public sentiment.
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John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
The Fighting 69th...may become a gushy tearjerker by its end, but you can't argue that its heart isn't in the right place.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
In one of his few war films, Cagney displays his "specialty" of explosive energy, as a despicable Irishman, who initially sneers at the regiment's traditions but then learns the hard way the mistakes of his cowardice and irresponsibility.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A sentimental recruiting poster account of the famed First World War New York National Guard division of mostly Irish-Americans.
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Cast
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James Cagney
as Jerry Plunkett
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Pat O'Brien
as Father Duffy
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George Brent
as Wild Bill Donovan
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Jeffrey Lynn
as Joyce Kilmer
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Alan Hale
as Sgt. Big Mike Wynn
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Frank McHugh
as "Crepe Hanger" Burke
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Dick Foran
as John Wynn
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William Lundigan
as Timmy Wynn
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Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams
as Paddy Dolan
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Henry O'Neill
as The Colonel
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John Litel
as Capt. Mangan
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Sammy Cohen
as Mike Murphy
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Harvey Stephens
as Maj. Anderson
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Tom Dugan
as Pvt. McManus
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Frank Wilcox
as Lt. Norman
- Eddie Acuff
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Guy Anderson [Herbert]
as Casey
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Herbert Anderson
as Casey
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John Arledge
as Alabama man
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Trevor Bardette
as Alabama man
- Nat Carr
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Frank Coghlan Jr.
as Jimmy
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Joseph Crehan
as Doctor
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Ralph Dunn
as Medical captain
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Edgar Edwards
as Engineer officer
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Frank Faylen
as Engineer sgt. at cave-in
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James Flavin
as Supply sergeant
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Arno Frey
as German officer
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Edmund Glover
as Alabama Man
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Sol (Saul) Gorss
as Soldier
- Creighton Hale
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John Harron
as Carroll
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William Hopper
as Pvt. Turner
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J. Anthony Hughes
as Healey
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Jacques Lory
as Waiter
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Wilfred Lucas
as Doctor
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Frank Mayo
as Capt. Bootz
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Frank Melton
as Alabama man
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Dennis Morgan
as Lt. Ames
- Jack Mower
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Byron Nelson
as Soldier
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Jack Perrin
as Major
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John Ridgely
as Moran
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Frank Sully
as Sergeant
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Charles Trowbridge
as Chaplain Holmes
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Roland Varno
as German Officer
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Emmett Vogan
as Doctor
- Jack Wise
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George Reeves
as Jack O'Keefe
- Benny Rubin
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Edward Dew
as Regan
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George O'Hanlon
as Eddie
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Richard Clayton
as Tierney
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Jerry Fletcher
as Telephonist
- Jeff Lynn
