Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982), Wednesday 13 February 1952, page 31


Talking of Films

By M. J. McMAHON

Fine and Dandy

WARNERS' lively

musical brings Jim-mie Cagney back to the footlights in a part that fits

his now rotund frame like a second skin—that of a

likeable little tough guy of Broadway.

"Fine and Dandy" provides the perfect set-up for Cagney's cocky style. As well as sing, dance, and throw punches, he gets the chance to double-cross friends, insult lissom Virginia Mayo, flout authority, sneer at tradition, and generally dis-turb the peace in various Cagneyesque ways.

The story deals with efforts to put on a stage show at West Point Military Academy, and sends hard-boiled Broadwayite Cagney and partner Virginia Mayo to that stern establish-ment to do the job.

They find all sorts of talent among cadet students, includ-ing singer Gordon MacRae and dancer Gene Nelson, who have also written a script that

turns out to be a wow.

Doris Day turns up later to

help out vocally and romantic-ally.

The pleasant informality of "Fine and Dandy" receives a slight check when Warners de-cide it's time to put over a message and to define Cagney's

motives.

Otherwise some tuneful

songs, brisk dancing, and laugh-getting situations should please most filmgoers.

In Sydney—Park.

NEW star Anthony Steel is

switching to light-hearted work with the comedy "Something Money Can't Buy." Pat Roc has been imported from her home in Paris to star with him. In a film scheduled im-mediately to follow this one, Anthony's leading lady will be

Claudette Colbert.