The Fighting 69th (Warner Bros.) (1940)

* Fighting 69th” shows ‘The Fighting 69th’ Has First Showing Today at Strand “The Fihting 69th,” starring James Cagney, Pat O’Brien and George Brent, will have its first local showing today at the Strand Theatre. Supporting the star trio are. Jeffrey Lynn, Alan Hale, Frank McHugh and a host of others, playing featured roles in the story written by Norman Reilly Raine, Fred Niblo, Jr. and Dean Franklin, and directed by William Keighley. A rousing action drama, ‘‘The Cagney as a cocky young private, bucking army discipline in the form of domineering top sergeant Alan Hale. Pat O’Brien plays the role of Father Francis P. Duffy, well-known and beloved chaplain of the 69th, and George Brent portrays “Wild Bill” Donovan, dare-devil colonel of the regiment. “The Fighting 69th” is unique in that, with the exception of but four characters, all in the picture represent real persons, many still living. The Cagney and Hale roles are fictional, but the O’Brien and Brent roles are taken straight from famed reallife characters. Jeffrey Lynn portrays Joyce Kilmer, soldierpoet of the 69th. Often called the Shamrock Brigade, the 69th regiment was one of the best known for its unusually heroic exploits and its general capacity for scrapping. Captain John T. Prout, of the 69th, acted as a technical advisor during production of the film, supplying much of the personal data which makes up the human interest story of the scrap-happy regiment. Previewed on the West Coast, the film is heralded as one of the most exciting action pictures ever made. Besides those mentioned, the cast includes Dennis Morgan, Dick Foran, Guinn “Big Boy” Williams, William Lundigan, Henry O’Neill, Tom Kennedy and many more. Fighting 69th Flag Sees Action Again America’s most battle-scarred battle flag has had its face lifted. The regimental colors of the 165th Infantry, New York (the old 69th N.Y.N.G.) was sent from the regimental armory in New York to Warner Bros. studio and there duplicated by three expert embroidery workers, stitch for stitch and tassel for tassel, for use in “The Fighting 69th,” the James Cagney, Pat O’Brien and George Brent starring picture which opens at the Strand Theatre today. The Great Seal of the State of New York is the emblem on the historic flag, which has 59 silver battle rings on its staff, each representing a separate engagement during the War of the Rebellion. In fact a special act of Congress was required to accommodate so many rings on the single staff it is explained by Capt. John T. Prout, technical director on the James Cagney, George Brent, Pat O’Brien starring picture, This act authorized the regiment to lengthen the staff several inches beyond army regulations. Camp Mills Rebuilt The barracks and administration buildings of Camp Mills, 1917 training camp on Long Island, were reproduced in Hollywood at the Warner Bros. studio for the new Strand film, “The Fighting 69th,” story of New York’s famous Irish regiment during the World War, starring James Cagney, Pat O’Brien and George Brent. CURRENT PUBLICITY — ‘THE FIGHTING 69TH’ | Famous Men Make “Fighting 69th’’ Worth Seeing! Still FS Pub. A160; Mat 102—15c Still FS Pub. A158; Mat 103—15c Still FS Pub. A159; Mat 104—15c Pat O’Brien as Father Duffy, James Cagney as Private Jerry Plunkett, and George Brent as Colonel Wild Bill Donovan, as they appear in the Strand’s new film “The Fighting 69th”, an action-crammed story of the famous New York regiment. (See page 9 for exploitation uses of these drawings.) Cockeyed Cavalcade of Happy-Go-Lucky Soldiers—That’s “‘The Fighting 69th”’ Cagney, O’Brien and Brent, Head All-Male Cast of the Superb Motion Picture Now Drawing Crowds to Strand Theatre “The Fighting 69th” is a masterpiece! It is more than just the story of a famous regiment, though it tells that story faithfully and well. In a large sense “The Fighting 69th” is symbolic of all the regiments which have served under the American flag. In terms of vigorous drama it presents the soul of the regiment, the serious, determined side, and in so doing brushes aside the usual furbelows. In the making of this picture something indescribable has been captured which, in today’s cataclysm-fearing world, leaves profound confidence in the invincibility of human faith and in divine omnipotence. And everyone who plays a part in its production is worthy of all praise. The drama, larded with much brusque comedy, focuses on James Cagney as an arrogant and incorrigible young recruit who doesn’t give a hoot for the traditions of the Fighting 69th (Review) during training, and can’t stand up to the hard codes of his own, simple soldier’s duties. He becomes the anxious concern of the commanding officer, “Wild Bill’ Donovan (George Brent) and Father Duffy (Pat O’Brien) the regimental chaplain, through whose spiritual example he finally conquers his cowardice and makes the supreme sacrifice. Cagney plays the character of Private Jerry Plunkett with unwavering spirit, feeling and conviction. Pat O’Brien is splendid in the priestly role, playing it heroically and yet with tenderness and humor. George Brent, ably portrays the commanding officer, hard, because he must harden his men for the task that lies before them, Standing out from amongst the others in the carefully selected support are Jeffrey Lynn, as the soldier-poet, Joyce Kilmer; Alan Hale as a grizzled top sergeant; Frank McHugh as a killjoy, ‘the crepe-hanger’ his bud dies dub him; William Lundigan, Sammy Cohen, Dick Foran, John Litel, Dennis Morgan, Guinn Williams, Henry O’Neill, Tom Dugan and _ Harvey Stephens. A score of others do their bits well. William Keighley directed with vigor and with fine appreciation of the dramatic and entertainment values involved. His inspirational influence is seen in every performance and his excellent craftsmanship evident in the sweep and march of the narrative through the _ colorful, comic and tragic episodes richly written into the original script by Norman Reilly Raine, Fred Niblo, Jr., and Dean Franklin. Photography by Tonio Gaudio, and the musical contributions by Adolph Deutsch, Hugo Friedhofer and Leo F. Forbstein make the pace for excellent technical support in every department. “The Fighting 6th,’ as we said before, is a masterpiece! James Cagney and Sammy Cohen hit the hilarious highspots as the two rawest recruits in that fightin’ Irish brigade, "The Fighting 69th", in the picture of that name which is currently packing them in at hte Strand Theatre. And just in case you're wondering what Sammy's doing in the Shamrock regiment, he'll answer that for you himself in one of the funniest scenes to hit the screen in lo! these many months. Starred with Cagney in the film are Pat O'Brien and George Brent. Mat 205—30c They Set This Cockeyed World Laughing ! [15] -done Vets To Dedicate Plaque to Priest Of ‘Fighting 69th’ The local chapters of (list American Legion or Veteran of Foreign War Posts) will hold a dedication ceremony this afternoon at (place) in honor of Father Francis Patrick Duffy, regimental chaplain of the 69th Regiment of the Rainbow Division during the World War. The occasion is the unveiling of a plaque in commemoration of the revered priest whose untiring efforts and deep human understanding brought grace and courage to thousands of soldiers of all faiths and creeds. Participants in the ceremony will later attend the opening of the “The Fighting 69th” at the Strand Theatre. Authorized and endorsed by the living members of the famous 69th regiment, the film tells the story of Father Duffy’s work during the last war, and of the heroic exploits of the regiment. The role of Father Duffy is played by Pat O’Brien, whose work as the priest in “Angels With Dirty Faces” last year won him the enthusiastic praise of layman and clergyman alike. Also starred in the film are James Cagney as a recalcitrant young private whose regeneration is brought about by the chaplain’s trust and understanding; and George Brent as “Wild Bill” Donovan, colonel of the 69th. Jeffrey Linn plays the role of Joyce Kilmer, soldier-poet and renowned member of the Rainbow Division. Other featured members of the cast include Frank McHugh, Alan Hale, Dennis Morgan, Dick Foran, Henry O’Neill, Guinn “Big Boy” Williams, William lLundigan and many others. These stories should be rewritten to fit local celebrations you have arranged to coincide with your showing. ‘Fighting 69th’ to Be Honored by Vets at Banquet Members of the local posts of (list American Legion, Veteran of Foreign Wars and Rainbow Division chapters) will attend a banquet at the Hotel (Name) this evening at 6:30. In charge of entertainment are: (list names). The banquet, which will feature many prominent speakers, will pay tribute to the memory of Father Duffy and the Rainbow Division. Following the dinner, the guests will go directly to the Strand Theatre to view the opening of “The Fighting 69th”, the new Warner Bros.’ motion picture which deals with the heroic exploits of the famous 69th regiment during the last war, and features prominently the story of the wonderful work by Father Duffy, regimental chaplain. James Cagney, Pat O’Brien and George Brent are starred in the film, which also features Jeffrey Lynn, Frank McHugh, Alan Hale, Dennis Morgan, Dick Foran, Henry O’Neill, William Lundigan, and many more noted players. The role of Father Duffy is played by O’Brien, George Brent plays Colonel “Wild Bill’? Donovan, leader of the 6th, and Cagney is a cocky young private who learns true heroism under Father Duffy’s guidance. Captain John T. Prout, retired member of the 69th, acted as technical advisor on military aspects of the film, which was directed by William Keighley.