Movie Cosmos - The Fighting 69th

Description:

Although loudmouthed braggart Jerry Plunkett alienates his comrades and officers, Father Duffy, the regimental chaplain, has faith that he'll prove himself in the end.

Top Cast >

James Cagney

As Jerry Plunkett

Pat O’Brien

As Father Duffy

George Brent

As Wild Bill Donovan

Jeffrey Lynn

As Joyce Kilmer

Alan Hale

As Big Mike Wynn

Frank McHugh

As "Crepe Hanger" Burke

Dennis Morgan

As Lieutenant Ames

Dick Foran

As Long John Wynn

William Lundigan

As Timmy Wynn

Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams

As Paddy Dolan

Henry O'Neill

As Colonel

John Litel

As Captain Mangan

Sammy Cohen

As Mike Murphy

Harvey Stephens

As Major Anderson

William Hopper

As Private Turner

Tom Dugan

As Private McManus

Frank Wilcox

As Lieutenant Norman

John Arledge

As Alabama Man #2 (uncredited)

Frank Faylen

As Engineer Sergeant (uncredited)

George Reeves

As Jack O'Keefe (uncredited)

Roland Varno

As German Officer (uncredited)

Herbert Anderson

As Private Casey (uncredited)

Trevor Bardette

As Alabama Man #1 (uncredited)

Jack Boyle

As Chuck (uncredited)

Richard Clayton

As Tierney (uncredited)

Frank Coghlan Jr.

As Jimmy (uncredited)

Tom Coleman

As Wounded Soldier (uncredited)

James Conaty

As Officer at Briefing (uncredited)

Joseph Crehan

As Inoculations Doctor (uncredited)

John Daheim

As Soldier (uncredited)

Eddie Dew

As Regan (uncredited)

Ralph Dunn

As Medical Captain (uncredited)

Edgar Edwards

As Engineer Officer (uncredited)

James Flavin

As Supply Sergeant (uncredited)

Jerry Fletcher

As Telephonist (uncredited)

Arno Frey

As German Officer (uncredited)

Edmund Glover

As Alabama Man #4 (uncredited)

Chuck Hamilton

As Soldier Watching Fight (uncredited)

John Harron

As Carrol (uncredited)

J. Anthony Hughes

As Healey (uncredited)

Layne Ireland

As Hefferman (uncredited)

Donald Kerr

As New Recruit (uncredited)

George Kilgen

As Ryan (uncredited)

Jacques Lory

As Waiter (uncredited)

Wilfred Lucas

As Eye Doctor (uncredited)

Frank Mayo

As Captain Bootz (uncredited)

Frank Melton

As Alabama Man #3 (uncredited)

Elmo Murray

As O'Brien (uncredited)

Byron Nelson

As Soldier (uncredited)

George O'Hanlon

As Eddie Kearney (uncredited)

Jack Perrin

As Major (uncredited)

John Ridgely

As Moran (uncredited)

Frank Sully

As Sergeant (uncredited)

Emmett Vogan

As Doctor (uncredited)

Top Crew >

William Keighley

Director

Reviews:

John Chard (6.5/10)

Diddly day it's The Fighting 69th!

Jerry Plunket is a street brawling, tough as boots rebel from Brooklyn, he has no time for the traditions of the all Irish 69th New York Regiment, and he has even less time for his army superiors. But as Jerry is about to find out, War has a knack of making or breaking a man...

It's not hard to see why "The Fighting 69th" was a very popular movie back on its release, coming out as America was about to enter WWII, the flag waving patriotism targeted its audience with gusto supreme and lashes of Irish sentiment. Furthering the cause was in having James Cagney in the critical lead role of Plunkett. Yet oddly, Plunkett is the made up character here, for the story is based on actual characters that the film wishes to honour. Father Duffy (Pat O'Brien) & Wild Bill Donovan (George Brent) being two highly respected men from this actual (and highly acclaimed) fighting unit.

The story follows a now well trodden path, brash cocky man learns lessons the hard way, is there to be redemption come the finale? Respect, bravery and indeed salvation are all given the once over by the makers here. There are few surprises but the film gets in there, does the job, and leaves without lingering either side of the good or bad fence. The direction from William Keighley is vigorous, and the supporting players are solid, if unspectacular (haven't we seen this O'Brien turn before?), but all and everything is second fiddle to the perfectly cast Cagney, bullish and stoic, his turn as Plunkett lifts the film above average, because without him the film would be instantly forgettable. 6.5/10

2014-08-28