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Flirtation Walk

Play trailer Poster for Flirtation Walk Released Dec 1, 1934 1h 37m Musical Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 5 Reviews 24% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Richard "Canary" Dorcy (Dick Powell) is a young soldier stationed in Hawaii, with no real ambition to become an officer. That changes when Gen. John Fitts (Henry O'Neill) visits the army base with his daughter, Kit (Ruby Keeler). After falling in love with Kit, Dorcy is shattered when she has to break off their romance for reputation's sake. Determined to prove himself, Dorcy applies to West Point -- where, four years later, he finds himself opposite Kit in the annual musical revue.

Critics Reviews

View All (5) Critics Reviews
Variety Staff Variety Flirtation Walk is bright and diverting entertainment. Mar 26, 2009 Full Review Andre Sennwald New York Times Flirtation Walk seems to be assured of a large and enthusiastic clientele, and it seems unlikely that the patriotic cinema public will let the Military Academy or the gallant producers down. Rated: 4/5 Mar 25, 2006 Full Review TV Guide No great songs in the Wrubel-Dixon score. Rated: 3/4 Jan 31, 2012 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com This movie, again teaming Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler, was part of a cycle of musicals that Warners made during the Depression, the best of which was Forty-Second Street. Rated: B- Mar 9, 2011 Full Review Michael W. Phillips, Jr. Goatdog's Movies Overall well worth watching. Rated: 3/5 May 26, 2002 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (14) audience reviews
Audience Member Dick Powell plays a rather fresh enlisted man who is constantly at odds with his sergeant (Pat O'Brien). Powell's life takes an unexpected twist when he is asked to chaperon the General's daughter (Ruby Keeler) about Hawaii. In the process, they naturally fall in love--which is a bit of a problem since Keeler already has a steady boyfriend. And, this steady is an officer who would like nothing more than to bust Powell. However, because of Keeler's behind the scenes maneuvering, Powell is saved from court martial. Now Powell announces that he's tired of being bossed around by officers and wants to transfer to West Point! Talk about an interesting reason to go to the US Army's military academy! The rest of the film is like an entirely new film--with O'Brien and Powell's friends shipping off to China while Powell is sent from Oahu to upstate New York. In the real world, the chances for Cadet Powell to ever see Keeler, O'Brien and the rest ever again would be slim...but of course this is NOT the real world! And, speaking of unlike the real world, like most Hollywood films of the 1930s about the military academies, this one seems to NEVER have the students going to classes! An odd cliché, I know. Just before graduation, Powell is put in charge of an annual song and dance and comedy show at the academy. The guys on the committee with him want to put the Superintendent's daughter (Keeler) in the show--but Powell is against it as he's still angry at her. He thinks she set him up to get into trouble back in Hawaii--not knowing that she really helped to bail him out behind the scenes. During the production, they fall back in love, as they both truly care about each other--but they old back telling each other. However, after the show her engagement to her old boyfriend is announced! Well, finally Powell has had enough and bursts into her home--announcing his love. But, as it's after hours and he is caught, he's in big trouble. Will he STILL graduate and will he get the girl? And, what excuse can they provide for bringing O'Brien back from China to West Point by the end of the movie? This is a well made musical BUT it's hard to believe that it went on to be nominated for the Best Picture Oscar! I see it as a silly and pleasant romp--but nothing more. I must admit, though, that I am not a huge fan of musicals though I am a huge classic Hollywood fan. It's nice but not enough to make this genre among my favorites! There was one cute dance sequence, however, that I did like. The dancing scene of the Hawaiians doing an almost Busby Berkeley-style dance number is ridiculous, it also is rather charming to watch. Plus, you really need to see it--it IS well done despite its shortcomings. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review william d The musical numbers are not impressive or entertaining enough to salvage the weak story. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review steve d Not enough plot for me. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review ashley h Flirtation Walk is an okay film. It is about a a private stationed in Hawaii who gets involved with the general's daughter. Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler give decent performances. The screenplay is a little slow in places. Frank Borzage did an alright job directing this movie. I liked this motion picture because of the music and romance. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member This was a big hit in 1934, mostly because of the popularity at the time of Powell & Keeler; it's plodding and predictable by today's standards. Introduces the song hits "Mr. and Mrs. Is the Name" and the title tune. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member I didn't realize by calling this a musical they meant "lots and lots and lots of marching and marching songs," the other musical elements are barely covered, and makes it really boring. Dick Powell is just annoying and kind of a...dick. Ruby Keeler deserves much better material, unfortunately after her banner year of 1933 (Gold Diggers, 42nd Street, Footlight Parade - amazing year) she never seemed to get it again. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Flirtation Walk

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Richard "Canary" Dorcy (Dick Powell) is a young soldier stationed in Hawaii, with no real ambition to become an officer. That changes when Gen. John Fitts (Henry O'Neill) visits the army base with his daughter, Kit (Ruby Keeler). After falling in love with Kit, Dorcy is shattered when she has to break off their romance for reputation's sake. Determined to prove himself, Dorcy applies to West Point -- where, four years later, he finds himself opposite Kit in the annual musical revue.
Director
Frank Borzage
Producer
Robert Lord
Screenwriter
Delmer Daves, Louis F. Edelman
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Genre
Musical, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 1, 1934, Original
Release Date (DVD)
Jun 2, 2009
Runtime
1h 37m