Flirtation Walk

Released Dec 1, 1934

1h 37m

Musical

Comedy

List

100%

Tomatometer

5 Reviews

25%

Audience Score

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.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Flirtation Walk is bright and diverting entertainment.

Mar 26, 2009

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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

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TV Guide

No great songs in the Wrubel-Dixon score.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 31, 2012

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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

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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

Audience Member

Movie hasn't aged well (ie comedy that women are in the military or in charge of men). I did like the beginning Hawaiian Luau scene and Hawaiian cinematography, but that was about it. The plot was so obvi and dumb. The rest of the scenes/plot are forgettable and the humor dull. Also, movie had no subtitles which is my pet peeve esp w/ old movies that have bad acoustics/outdated sayings to begin with. This is a classic I'd say to skip as its easily forgettable.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

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steve d

Not enough plot for me.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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david l

Flirtation Walk admittedly is amusing in its second half with some solid character interactions and musical numbers, but it came too late in the game as the first half was way too dull and uneventful. The structure is odd as the first half is devoid of music and then suddenly the movie turns into a musical. It's a well acted, okay flick, but at the end of the day it's a big disappointment from usually great Frank Borzage.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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

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Frank Borzage

Director

Dick Powell

Richard Palmer Grant "Canary"

Ruby Keeler

Kathleen "Kit" Fitts

Pat O'Brien

Sgt. "Scrapper" Thornhhill

Ross Alexander

Cadet Oscar Berry

John Arledge

Cadet "Spike" Dukowe

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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
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