Film Snail

5.4

The Fighting 69th

NR·1940·90m

Action

Drama

War

Action

Drama

War

Summary

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.

Cast

James Cagney

Jerry Plunkett

Pat O’Brien

Father Duffy

George Brent

Wild Bill Donovan

Jeffrey Lynn

Joyce Kilmer

Alan Hale

Big Mike Wynn

Frank McHugh

"Crepe Hanger" Burke

Dennis Morgan

Lieutenant Ames

Dick Foran

Long John Wynn

William Lundigan

Timmy Wynn

Guinn "Big Boy" Williams

Paddy Dolan

Henry O'Neill

Colonel

John Litel

Captain Mangan

Sammy Cohen

Mike Murphy

Harvey Stephens

Major Anderson

William Hopper

Private Turner

Tom Dugan

Private McManus

Frank Wilcox

Lieutenant Norman

John Arledge

Alabama Man #2 (uncredited)

Frank Faylen

Engineer Sergeant (uncredited)

George Reeves

Jack O'Keefe (uncredited)

Roland Varno

German Officer (uncredited)

Herbert Anderson

Private Casey (uncredited)

Trevor Bardette

Alabama Man #1 (uncredited)

Jack Boyle

Chuck (uncredited)

Richard Clayton

Tierney (uncredited)

Frank Coghlan Jr.

Jimmy (uncredited)

Tom Coleman

Wounded Soldier (uncredited)

James Conaty

Officer at Briefing (uncredited)

Joseph Crehan

Inoculations Doctor (uncredited)

John Daheim

Soldier (uncredited)

Eddie Dew

Regan (uncredited)

Ralph Dunn

Medical Captain (uncredited)

Edgar Edwards

Engineer Officer (uncredited)

James Flavin

Supply Sergeant (uncredited)

Jerry Fletcher

Telephonist (uncredited)

Arno Frey

German Officer (uncredited)

Edmund Glover

Alabama Man #4 (uncredited)

Chuck Hamilton

Soldier Watching Fight (uncredited)

John Harron

Carrol (uncredited)

J. Anthony Hughes

Healey (uncredited)

Layne Ireland

Hefferman (uncredited)

Donald Kerr

New Recruit (uncredited)

George Kilgen

Ryan (uncredited)

Jacques Lory

Waiter (uncredited)

Wilfred Lucas

Eye Doctor (uncredited)

Frank Mayo

Captain Bootz (uncredited)

Frank Melton

Alabama Man #3 (uncredited)

Elmo Murray

O'Brien (uncredited)

Byron Nelson

Soldier (uncredited)

George O'Hanlon

Eddie Kearney (uncredited)

Jack Perrin

Major (uncredited)

John Ridgely

Moran (uncredited)

Frank Sully

Sergeant (uncredited)

Emmett Vogan

Doctor (uncredited)

Crew

Director

William Keighley

Screenplay

Dean Riesner

Screenplay

Norman Reilly Raine

Screenplay

Fred Niblo Jr.

Reviews

John Chard

August 28, 2014

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