The Fighting 69th (1940)

The Fighting 69th: Directed by William Keighley. With James Cagney, Pat O’Brien, George Brent, Jeffrey Lynn. 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.

“Itu0026#39;s 1917 and the United States is entering the Great War in Europe with guns blazing. Many young men (and, this being Hollywood, several decades from draft age) are recruited. Our boy from Brooklyn, wise-guy James Cagney (as Jerry Plunkett), looks like trouble from the beginning. He joins the mostly Irish Catholic u0026quot;Fighting 49thu0026quot; regiment. When the going gets tough, Mr. Cagney gets going – literally. As the fighting starts, Cagney realizes a man could get killed. He is no help on the battlefield, but kindly soldier priest Pat Ou0026#39;Brien (as Francis Duffy) provides cover for Cagney. Eventually, the cowardly Cagneyu0026#39;s luck runs out and he must either find Christ and fight, lest he lose his spot in Heaven or on Earth…u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis is an entertaining war story, with real characters giving he fictionalized Cagney story some substance. It promotes unity in the war effort and includes more realism than many propaganda films – specifically, the instances of US soldiers dying during battle is not minimized. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eCagney is engaging in the lead. His main support comes from Mr. Ou0026#39;Brien, who effectively manages the unholy wedding of Christianity and War. Of the many others in the cast, only a few get much script action. The best supporting part goes to Alan Hale (as u0026quot;Big Mikeu0026quot; Wynn), who shows Cagney how to handle a mortar in a pinch. Apparently, Cagney was excused on mortar day, during training, but heu0026#39;s fortunately a quick study. Also getting a fair amount of screen time are stalwart George Brent (as u0026quot;Wild Billu0026quot;u0026#39; Donovan) and assimilated Sammy Cohan (as u0026quot;Mike Murphyu0026quot;). Good hokum from Warner Bros.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003e****** The Fighting 69th (1/26/40) William Keighley ~ James Cagney, Pat Ou0026#39;Brien, Alan Hale, George Brent”