Jimmy Cagney's film legacy will probably forever be that of the little tough-guy gangster, but a lot of folks forget that he played in an equal number of straight dramatic roles, light comedies, romantic comedies, and musicals. Since Warner Bros. already showed us his darker side in their box sets "Tough Guys" and "Gangsters," this time out they show us a broader picture of the actor's ability in "James Cagney: The Signature Collection."
The five films in the box (which WB also make available separately) include, first, the patriotic World War I war movie "The Fighting 69th," 1940, co-starring Pat O'Brien and George Brent, directed by William Keighley, which I'll discuss at greater length in a moment. Next is the comedy-romance "Torrid Zone," 1940, with Ann Sheridan and again with Pat O'Brien and director William Keighley. The third film is the screwball comedy "The Bride Came C.O.D.," 1941, co-starring Bette Davis and directed yet again by William Keighley. The forth film is the patriotic World War II film "Captains of the Clouds," co-starring Dennis Morgan and Brenda Marshall and directed by Michael Curtiz. The final film in the set is the musical "The West Point Story," with Virginia Mayo, Doris Day, Gordon MacRae, and Gene Nelson, directed by Roy Del Ruth.
Of the bunch, my favorites are "Torrid Zone" for its zippy patter and "The Fighting 69th" because I remember it from my youth, watching it on TV in the 1950s. Seeing it today, it seems more than a little corny, but it's still fun. The "69th" of the title was a celebrated regiment of soldiers made up mostly of Irish-Americans, who distinguished themselves from the Civil War onward, and in the case of this movie, World War I. During the War the regiment was part of the 165th Infantry A.E.F., itself a part of the newly formed "Rainbow" Division, which was sent to France in 1918, where some members of the 69th won Medals of Honor. Warner Bros. released the film just a year or so before America entered World War II, and they meant it to kindle some national pride and love of country as we again prepared for conflict.
The movie is a fictionalized account of the exploits of the 69th, with Cagney playing a made-up character and many of his costars playing real-life people. The original screenplay, written by Norman Reilly Raine, Fred Niblo, Jr., and Dean Franklin, won no awards, but it is hard to deny that it didn't spark more than a little interest in the upcoming war effort. What's more, director Keighley ("The Green Pastures," "The Prince and the Pauper," "The Master of Ballantrae") knew how to keep the script from going south, maintaining a healthy pace, and manipulating the audience in just the right places. Sure, it's melodramatic and predictable, but in a way that you foresee going in. Today, the movie might simply seem dated, but if you look beyond that, you can still have a good time. Patriotism in a noble cause never goes out of fashion.
The story begins at Camp Mills, New York (recreated on the Warner Bros. backlot), in 1917 as the 69th Regiment is in training for service overseas. Cagney plays the fictional Jerry Plunkett, a brash recruit, a cocky smart aleck who signed up to earn medals and come back from the War a big shot. Jerry doesn't have much use for religion or priests and, thus, forms a rather rocky bond with the real-life Chaplin of the regiment, Father Francis J. Duffy (Pat O'Brien). Jerry's self-centered attitude turns off everybody, and by halfway through the story his own fellow soldiers would rather shoot him than the enemy. But Father Duffy never loses faith in the young man; Duffy sees only the good in him.
Cagney puts in another typically "Cagney" performance, one that is reminiscent of his portrayal of the haughty gangster in "Angels With Dirty Faces" a couple of years earlier. Jerry is a conceited wise guy who turns yellow under pressure but eventually learns contrition and goes out heroically. The changes we see come over Cagney's character as the movie progresses are remarkable.
The supporting cast are topflight as well. O'Brien, who appeared in about nine or so movies with his offscreen pal Cagney, practically does the same role he played in "Knute Rockne: All American" the same year, only in a clerical collar. He's the same inspirational leader, giving the same inspirational speeches, but this time instead of cheering up the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, he's cheering up the "Fighting 69th" Irish. O'Brien is still a joy, and it's as much his movie as it is Cagney's.
Then, we have George Brent as the real-life commander of the regiment, Major "Wild Bill" Donovan; Jeffrey Lynn as the real-life poet, Sgt. Joyce Kilmer ("Trees"), who died in the War; Alan Hale as the fictional Sgt. "Big Mike" Wynn; Dick Foran as Lt. "Long John" Wynn; William Lundigan as Pvt. Timmy Wynn (all brothers); Frank McHugh as "Crepe-Hanger" Burke; and Dennis Morgan as Lt. Oliver Ames. Look, too, for an uncredited bit part by George Reeves, later of TV's "Superman" fame.
Warner Bros. shot most of the movie at the studio, but you will also find some actual WWI footage from time to time to provide an added note authenticity. It's a good-looking production of the day.
The movie makes much of one's personal need to serve one's country, but, of course, it never mentions that while World War II would be a war of dire necessity against aggressive tyrants seeking world domination, World War I was about as senseless and useless a military operation as the planet has ever known. Oh, well, as the Major says in misquoting Tennyson, "Ours is not to reason why."
There is a good deal of martial music in "The Fighting 69th," a good deal of marching and saluting and good-natured camaraderie among the men, as well as a few action-packed battle sequences. But the real conflict in the story is Jerry's personal struggle with himself. The movie may become a gushy tearjerker by its end, but you can't argue that its heart isn't in the right place.
The five films in the box (which WB also make available separately) include, first, the patriotic World War I war movie "The Fighting 69th," 1940, co-starring Pat O'Brien and George Brent, directed by William Keighley, which I'll discuss at greater length in a moment. Next is the comedy-romance "Torrid Zone," 1940, with Ann Sheridan and again with Pat O'Brien and director William Keighley. The third film is the screwball comedy "The Bride Came C.O.D.," 1941, co-starring Bette Davis and directed yet again by William Keighley. The forth film is the patriotic World War II film "Captains of the Clouds," co-starring Dennis Morgan and Brenda Marshall and directed by Michael Curtiz. The final film in the set is the musical "The West Point Story," with Virginia Mayo, Doris Day, Gordon MacRae, and Gene Nelson, directed by Roy Del Ruth.
Of the bunch, my favorites are "Torrid Zone" for its zippy patter and "The Fighting 69th" because I remember it from my youth, watching it on TV in the 1950s. Seeing it today, it seems more than a little corny, but it's still fun. The "69th" of the title was a celebrated regiment of soldiers made up mostly of Irish-Americans, who distinguished themselves from the Civil War onward, and in the case of this movie, World War I. During the War the regiment was part of the 165th Infantry A.E.F., itself a part of the newly formed "Rainbow" Division, which was sent to France in 1918, where some members of the 69th won Medals of Honor. Warner Bros. released the film just a year or so before America entered World War II, and they meant it to kindle some national pride and love of country as we again prepared for conflict.
The movie is a fictionalized account of the exploits of the 69th, with Cagney playing a made-up character and many of his costars playing real-life people. The original screenplay, written by Norman Reilly Raine, Fred Niblo, Jr., and Dean Franklin, won no awards, but it is hard to deny that it didn't spark more than a little interest in the upcoming war effort. What's more, director Keighley ("The Green Pastures," "The Prince and the Pauper," "The Master of Ballantrae") knew how to keep the script from going south, maintaining a healthy pace, and manipulating the audience in just the right places. Sure, it's melodramatic and predictable, but in a way that you foresee going in. Today, the movie might simply seem dated, but if you look beyond that, you can still have a good time. Patriotism in a noble cause never goes out of fashion.
The story begins at Camp Mills, New York (recreated on the Warner Bros. backlot), in 1917 as the 69th Regiment is in training for service overseas. Cagney plays the fictional Jerry Plunkett, a brash recruit, a cocky smart aleck who signed up to earn medals and come back from the War a big shot. Jerry doesn't have much use for religion or priests and, thus, forms a rather rocky bond with the real-life Chaplin of the regiment, Father Francis J. Duffy (Pat O'Brien). Jerry's self-centered attitude turns off everybody, and by halfway through the story his own fellow soldiers would rather shoot him than the enemy. But Father Duffy never loses faith in the young man; Duffy sees only the good in him.
Cagney puts in another typically "Cagney" performance, one that is reminiscent of his portrayal of the haughty gangster in "Angels With Dirty Faces" a couple of years earlier. Jerry is a conceited wise guy who turns yellow under pressure but eventually learns contrition and goes out heroically. The changes we see come over Cagney's character as the movie progresses are remarkable.
The supporting cast are topflight as well. O'Brien, who appeared in about nine or so movies with his offscreen pal Cagney, practically does the same role he played in "Knute Rockne: All American" the same year, only in a clerical collar. He's the same inspirational leader, giving the same inspirational speeches, but this time instead of cheering up the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, he's cheering up the "Fighting 69th" Irish. O'Brien is still a joy, and it's as much his movie as it is Cagney's.
Then, we have George Brent as the real-life commander of the regiment, Major "Wild Bill" Donovan; Jeffrey Lynn as the real-life poet, Sgt. Joyce Kilmer ("Trees"), who died in the War; Alan Hale as the fictional Sgt. "Big Mike" Wynn; Dick Foran as Lt. "Long John" Wynn; William Lundigan as Pvt. Timmy Wynn (all brothers); Frank McHugh as "Crepe-Hanger" Burke; and Dennis Morgan as Lt. Oliver Ames. Look, too, for an uncredited bit part by George Reeves, later of TV's "Superman" fame.
Warner Bros. shot most of the movie at the studio, but you will also find some actual WWI footage from time to time to provide an added note authenticity. It's a good-looking production of the day.
The movie makes much of one's personal need to serve one's country, but, of course, it never mentions that while World War II would be a war of dire necessity against aggressive tyrants seeking world domination, World War I was about as senseless and useless a military operation as the planet has ever known. Oh, well, as the Major says in misquoting Tennyson, "Ours is not to reason why."
There is a good deal of martial music in "The Fighting 69th," a good deal of marching and saluting and good-natured camaraderie among the men, as well as a few action-packed battle sequences. But the real conflict in the story is Jerry's personal struggle with himself. The movie may become a gushy tearjerker by its end, but you can't argue that its heart isn't in the right place.
Jimmy Cagney's film legacy will probably forever be that of the little tough-guy gangster, but a lot of folks forget that he played in an equal number of straight dramatic roles, light comedies, romantic comedies, and musicals. Since Warner Bros. already showed us his darker side in their box sets "Tough Guys" and "Gangsters," this time out they show us a broader picture of the actor's ability in "James Cagney: The Signature Collection."
The five films in the box (which WB also make available separately) include, first, the patriotic World War I war movie "The Fighting 69th," 1940, co-starring Pat O'Brien and George Brent, directed by William Keighley, which I'll discuss at greater length in a moment. Next is the comedy-romance "Torrid Zone," 1940, with Ann Sheridan and again with Pat O'Brien and director William Keighley. The third film is the screwball comedy "The Bride Came C.O.D.," 1941, co-starring Bette Davis and directed yet again by William Keighley. The forth film is the patriotic World War II film "Captains of the Clouds," co-starring Dennis Morgan and Brenda Marshall and directed by Michael Curtiz. The final film in the set is the musical "The West Point Story," with Virginia Mayo, Doris Day, Gordon MacRae, and Gene Nelson, directed by Roy Del Ruth.
Of the bunch, my favorites are "Torrid Zone" for its zippy patter and "The Fighting 69th" because I remember it from my youth, watching it on TV in the 1950s. Seeing it today, it seems more than a little corny, but it's still fun. The "69th" of the title was a celebrated regiment of soldiers made up mostly of Irish-Americans, who distinguished themselves from the Civil War onward, and in the case of this movie, World War I. During the War the regiment was part of the 165th Infantry A.E.F., itself a part of the newly formed "Rainbow" Division, which was sent to France in 1918, where some members of the 69th won Medals of Honor. Warner Bros. released the film just a year or so before America entered World War II, and they meant it to kindle some national pride and love of country as we again prepared for conflict.
The movie is a fictionalized account of the exploits of the 69th, with Cagney playing a made-up character and many of his costars playing real-life people. The original screenplay, written by Norman Reilly Raine, Fred Niblo, Jr., and Dean Franklin, won no awards, but it is hard to deny that it didn't spark more than a little interest in the upcoming war effort. What's more, director Keighley ("The Green Pastures," "The Prince and the Pauper," "The Master of Ballantrae") knew how to keep the script from going south, maintaining a healthy pace, and manipulating the audience in just the right places. Sure, it's melodramatic and predictable, but in a way that you foresee going in. Today, the movie might simply seem dated, but if you look beyond that, you can still have a good time. Patriotism in a noble cause never goes out of fashion.
The story begins at Camp Mills, New York (recreated on the Warner Bros. backlot), in 1917 as the 69th Regiment is in training for service overseas. Cagney plays the fictional Jerry Plunkett, a brash recruit, a cocky smart aleck who signed up to earn medals and come back from the War a big shot. Jerry doesn't have much use for religion or priests and, thus, forms a rather rocky bond with the real-life Chaplin of the regiment, Father Francis J. Duffy (Pat O'Brien). Jerry's self-centered attitude turns off everybody, and by halfway through the story his own fellow soldiers would rather shoot him than the enemy. But Father Duffy never loses faith in the young man; Duffy sees only the good in him.
Cagney puts in another typically "Cagney" performance, one that is reminiscent of his portrayal of the haughty gangster in "Angels With Dirty Faces" a couple of years earlier. Jerry is a conceited wise guy who turns yellow under pressure but eventually learns contrition and goes out heroically. The changes we see come over Cagney's character as the movie progresses are remarkable.
The supporting cast are topflight as well. O'Brien, who appeared in about nine or so movies with his offscreen pal Cagney, practically does the same role he played in "Knute Rockne: All American" the same year, only in a clerical collar. He's the same inspirational leader, giving the same inspirational speeches, but this time instead of cheering up the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, he's cheering up the "Fighting 69th" Irish. O'Brien is still a joy, and it's as much his movie as it is Cagney's.
Then, we have George Brent as the real-life commander of the regiment, Major "Wild Bill" Donovan; Jeffrey Lynn as the real-life poet, Sgt. Joyce Kilmer ("Trees"), who died in the War; Alan Hale as the fictional Sgt. "Big Mike" Wynn; Dick Foran as Lt. "Long John" Wynn; William Lundigan as Pvt. Timmy Wynn (all brothers); Frank McHugh as "Crepe-Hanger" Burke; and Dennis Morgan as Lt. Oliver Ames. Look, too, for an uncredited bit part by George Reeves, later of TV's "Superman" fame.
Warner Bros. shot most of the movie at the studio, but you will also find some actual WWI footage from time to time to provide an added note authenticity. It's a good-looking production of the day.
The movie makes much of one's personal need to serve one's country, but, of course, it never mentions that while World War II would be a war of dire necessity against aggressive tyrants seeking world domination, World War I was about as senseless and useless a military operation as the planet has ever known. Oh, well, as the Major says in misquoting Tennyson, "Ours is not to reason why."
There is a good deal of martial music in "The Fighting 69th," a good deal of marching and saluting and good-natured camaraderie among the men, as well as a few action-packed battle sequences. But the real conflict in the story is Jerry's personal struggle with himself. The movie may become a gushy tearjerker by its end, but you can't argue that its heart isn't in the right place.
The five films in the box (which WB also make available separately) include, first, the patriotic World War I war movie "The Fighting 69th," 1940, co-starring Pat O'Brien and George Brent, directed by William Keighley, which I'll discuss at greater length in a moment. Next is the comedy-romance "Torrid Zone," 1940, with Ann Sheridan and again with Pat O'Brien and director William Keighley. The third film is the screwball comedy "The Bride Came C.O.D.," 1941, co-starring Bette Davis and directed yet again by William Keighley. The forth film is the patriotic World War II film "Captains of the Clouds," co-starring Dennis Morgan and Brenda Marshall and directed by Michael Curtiz. The final film in the set is the musical "The West Point Story," with Virginia Mayo, Doris Day, Gordon MacRae, and Gene Nelson, directed by Roy Del Ruth.
Of the bunch, my favorites are "Torrid Zone" for its zippy patter and "The Fighting 69th" because I remember it from my youth, watching it on TV in the 1950s. Seeing it today, it seems more than a little corny, but it's still fun. The "69th" of the title was a celebrated regiment of soldiers made up mostly of Irish-Americans, who distinguished themselves from the Civil War onward, and in the case of this movie, World War I. During the War the regiment was part of the 165th Infantry A.E.F., itself a part of the newly formed "Rainbow" Division, which was sent to France in 1918, where some members of the 69th won Medals of Honor. Warner Bros. released the film just a year or so before America entered World War II, and they meant it to kindle some national pride and love of country as we again prepared for conflict.
The movie is a fictionalized account of the exploits of the 69th, with Cagney playing a made-up character and many of his costars playing real-life people. The original screenplay, written by Norman Reilly Raine, Fred Niblo, Jr., and Dean Franklin, won no awards, but it is hard to deny that it didn't spark more than a little interest in the upcoming war effort. What's more, director Keighley ("The Green Pastures," "The Prince and the Pauper," "The Master of Ballantrae") knew how to keep the script from going south, maintaining a healthy pace, and manipulating the audience in just the right places. Sure, it's melodramatic and predictable, but in a way that you foresee going in. Today, the movie might simply seem dated, but if you look beyond that, you can still have a good time. Patriotism in a noble cause never goes out of fashion.
The story begins at Camp Mills, New York (recreated on the Warner Bros. backlot), in 1917 as the 69th Regiment is in training for service overseas. Cagney plays the fictional Jerry Plunkett, a brash recruit, a cocky smart aleck who signed up to earn medals and come back from the War a big shot. Jerry doesn't have much use for religion or priests and, thus, forms a rather rocky bond with the real-life Chaplin of the regiment, Father Francis J. Duffy (Pat O'Brien). Jerry's self-centered attitude turns off everybody, and by halfway through the story his own fellow soldiers would rather shoot him than the enemy. But Father Duffy never loses faith in the young man; Duffy sees only the good in him.
Cagney puts in another typically "Cagney" performance, one that is reminiscent of his portrayal of the haughty gangster in "Angels With Dirty Faces" a couple of years earlier. Jerry is a conceited wise guy who turns yellow under pressure but eventually learns contrition and goes out heroically. The changes we see come over Cagney's character as the movie progresses are remarkable.
The supporting cast are topflight as well. O'Brien, who appeared in about nine or so movies with his offscreen pal Cagney, practically does the same role he played in "Knute Rockne: All American" the same year, only in a clerical collar. He's the same inspirational leader, giving the same inspirational speeches, but this time instead of cheering up the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, he's cheering up the "Fighting 69th" Irish. O'Brien is still a joy, and it's as much his movie as it is Cagney's.
Then, we have George Brent as the real-life commander of the regiment, Major "Wild Bill" Donovan; Jeffrey Lynn as the real-life poet, Sgt. Joyce Kilmer ("Trees"), who died in the War; Alan Hale as the fictional Sgt. "Big Mike" Wynn; Dick Foran as Lt. "Long John" Wynn; William Lundigan as Pvt. Timmy Wynn (all brothers); Frank McHugh as "Crepe-Hanger" Burke; and Dennis Morgan as Lt. Oliver Ames. Look, too, for an uncredited bit part by George Reeves, later of TV's "Superman" fame.
Warner Bros. shot most of the movie at the studio, but you will also find some actual WWI footage from time to time to provide an added note authenticity. It's a good-looking production of the day.
The movie makes much of one's personal need to serve one's country, but, of course, it never mentions that while World War II would be a war of dire necessity against aggressive tyrants seeking world domination, World War I was about as senseless and useless a military operation as the planet has ever known. Oh, well, as the Major says in misquoting Tennyson, "Ours is not to reason why."
There is a good deal of martial music in "The Fighting 69th," a good deal of marching and saluting and good-natured camaraderie among the men, as well as a few action-packed battle sequences. But the real conflict in the story is Jerry's personal struggle with himself. The movie 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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