This is a fine movie for what it is-flag-waving, Irish-centered recruiting patriotic stuff. Cagney is a Brooklyn thug, cocky big-talker who makes life miserable for everyone around him in the unit, turns into a coward as soon's the shell's start falling around them in the trenches, is almost court-martialed (shot most likely), saves the day at the front but loses his life in the process of redemption.
That's about it, really. You will see familiar faces all around-Dick Foran, Alan Hale Sr., Frank MacHugh, George Brent, etc. I was surprised at the inclusion of Joyce Kilmer-the Trees poet, never knew he was a WWI casualty etc.
Some of the combat scenes are typically stage-bound, the players are too fat and old (Hale and MacHugh esp.), or walk where they should be kissing the ground etc under fire-but in other places-the constant shelling, machine gun fire, etc--the chaos and violent death of WWI France is displayed fairly well. Esp. for 1940 Hollywood before we had yet gone to war for real.
Cagney's good, rest are okay, as some have said it's 'Angels w/ Dirty Faces' re-hased yet again, O'Brien esp. makes you roll your eyes somewhat.
*** outta **** if you are a Cagney fan.
That's about it, really. You will see familiar faces all around-Dick Foran, Alan Hale Sr., Frank MacHugh, George Brent, etc. I was surprised at the inclusion of Joyce Kilmer-the Trees poet, never knew he was a WWI casualty etc.
Some of the combat scenes are typically stage-bound, the players are too fat and old (Hale and MacHugh esp.), or walk where they should be kissing the ground etc under fire-but in other places-the constant shelling, machine gun fire, etc--the chaos and violent death of WWI France is displayed fairly well. Esp. for 1940 Hollywood before we had yet gone to war for real.
Cagney's good, rest are okay, as some have said it's 'Angels w/ Dirty Faces' re-hased yet again, O'Brien esp. makes you roll your eyes somewhat.
*** outta **** if you are a Cagney fan.