Watch Flirtation Walk

Flirtation Walk, released in 1934, is a musical comedy film directed by Frank Borzage, and features talented actors including Dick Powell, Ruby Keeler, Pat O'Brien, and many more. The movie tells the story of a young soldier named Dick Dickson, played by Dick Powell, who is stationed at the West Point Military Academy. The film is set in the early 1900s, when the academy was an all-male institution, and the only women around were the wives of the officers and the occasional visitor.

Dickson, an aspiring singer, is constantly in trouble with his superiors for his disregard for military discipline. Despite this, he manages to fall in love with a beautiful woman named Sylvia Dennis, played by Ruby Keeler, who is the daughter of a retired general. However, Sylvia is engaged to the son of a wealthy businessman who is looking to make a name for himself in politics.

Throughout the movie, Dickson and Sylvia have many flirtatious encounters that ultimately lead to them falling in love. But their love is challenged by Sylvia's engagement, as well as Dickson's troubled past and uncertain future in the army. The film explores themes of love, loyalty, and duty in the context of the military academy.

One of the highlights of the movie is the music. Flirtation Walk features several catchy and memorable songs, including the title track "Flirtation Walk", "Smiling Irish Eyes", "Love Me, Love My Pekinese", and "The Girl in the Pinafore". The songs are performed by the talented cast members, including the great Ruby Keeler, who adds her signature tap-dancing to many of the musical numbers.

The film's director, Frank Borzage, was one of the most renowned filmmakers of his time, having won two Academy Awards for Best Director in the 1930s. Borzage brings his trademark romanticism to the movie, making the love story between Dickson and Sylvia the focal point of the film. He also manages to capture the spirit of the military academy, with its rigid structure and intense training, which serves as a stark contrast to the free-spirited nature of the young couple's romance.

The performances in Flirtation Walk are top-notch. Dick Powell, who was a popular singer of the time, shines in his role as the charming but troubled soldier. He brings a whimsical energy to the movie with his singing and dancing, and his chemistry with Ruby Keeler is palpable. Keeler, who was also a renowned dancer and singer, is stunning in her role as Sylvia. Her tap-dancing is especially impressive, as is her portrayal of a young woman torn between her duty to her family and her love for Dickson.

Pat O'Brien, who was a prolific actor in Hollywood during the 1930s and 1940s, plays General Prentiss, the commander of the academy. O'Brien delivers a solid performance as the gruff and stern general, but also manages to show a softer side when he learns of the blossoming romance between Dickson and Sylvia.

Overall, Flirtation Walk is a charming and entertaining movie that captures the essence of the musical comedies of the 1930s. The music, the performances, and the direction all work together to make this a movie worth watching. The film was a big success at the box office, cementing the careers of many of its talented cast and crew members. Today, it remains a beloved classic, a testament to the enduring power of love and music.