The West Point Story (Fine and Dandy) (1950)

63% of users liked it
(421 ratings)

James Cagney delivers a vibrant performance as a down-on-his-luck Broadway musical director in The West Point Story, featuring songs by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne. Cagney plays out-of-work director Elwin "Bix" Bixby, who reluctantly accepts a job from producer Harry Eberhart (Roland Winters) to stage… More James Cagney delivers a vibrant performance as a down-on-his-luck Broadway musical director in The West Point Story, featuring songs by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne. Cagney plays out-of-work director Elwin "Bix" Bixby, who reluctantly accepts a job from producer Harry Eberhart (Roland Winters) to stage a show at West Point written by Harry's nephew Tom Fletcher (Gordon MacRae). Harry thinks Tom's show could be a Broadway success if he would only quit West Point. Bix travels to West Point, with his girlfriend, Eve (Virginia Mayo), in tow, to whip the show into shape. But Bix is frustrated by the academy's rules, which interrupt his rehearsal schedule. In frustration, Bix hits a cadet. In order to continue to work on the show, Bix must become a cadet himself, and deal with the attendant hazing that entails. When the one of the show's stars, Jan Wilson (Doris Day), is brought out to work on the production, Tom falls in love with her and goes AWOL to return with her to Hollywood. Bix, in order to save Tom's military career, has to go to Hollywood and bring Tom back to West Point. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 47 min.
Directed By: Roy Del Ruth
Written By: John Monks
Genres: Classics, Musical & Performing Arts

In Theaters: Nov 25, 1950 Wide
On DVD: Apr 24, 2007

Critic Reviews

Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Cagney rises above musical material, and even dances!

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

VERY talented cast in completely ordinary musical with no memorable songs and a hokey story. Everyone has been seen to better advantage elsewhere.