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Reviews
Women at West Point (1979)
Entertaining but predictable boy-meets-girl plot
Linda Purl plays Jennifer Scott, who is among the first group of women admitted to the United States Military Academy at West Point. She and the other women can't wait to meet the male cadets, but soon discover that they will not receive special treatment just because they are women. Many of the cadets and faculty resent their presence and go out of their way to make life miserable for them; in particular, J.J. Palfrey, played by Jameson Parker. Every time Jennifer makes a mistake, J.J. is there to scold her. As "plebes" the women are subjected to endless scrutiny, criticism, and the same physical fitness regimen as the men. One hilarious scene is when a cadet conducts a surprise inspection in Jennifer's room and pulls a bra from a drawer. He is momentarily speechless and embarrassed; the women laugh, and he starts yelling at them. The already small group of women begins to dwindle. Jennifer is lonely and succumbs to the advances of an older cadet named Doug Davidson, played by Andrew Stevens. Plebes and cadets are forbidden from being friends or dating, so Jennifer and Doug risk harsh discipline by meeting in secret. Unfortunately, J.J. catches them kissing and turns them in. They are both disciplined but Jennifer gets the worst of it. Her friends feel it's not fair, that Doug was older and knew better. Jennifer and Doug break up and Jennifer feels she cannot complete the academic year. She contemplates leaving, but somehow finds the inner strength to stick it out and complete the extra physical training that is part of her punishment. Just when you think things can't get any worse for Jennifer, the school year ends and she is no longer a plebe. Even J.J. Palfrey seems less of a villain.
The Doctor and the Girl (1949)
Good acting, well-written plot
Dr. Michael Corday (played by Glenn Ford), only son of Dr. John Corday (Charles Coburn), has just graduated from medical school and returned home. His father, a prominent Manhattan physician, expects Michael to follow in his footsteps. Michael is annoyed at having to intern at an inner-city hospital and is rude and arrogant to his patients.
Michael's two sisters, Mariette (played by Nancy Davis, who later became First Lady Nancy Reagan) and Fabienne (Gloria DeHaven), still live at home but are planning their futures. Mariette is engaged to marry a young pediatrician. Fabienne announces that she is moving to Greenwich Village to live on her own. The family is shocked, but Michael supports Fabienne's decision.
Michael meets an attractive young woman named Taffy (played by Janet Leigh) at the hospital. He is arrogant with her, but she stands up to him and tells him to "remember that I'm a patient, doctor." He later apologizes and takes a personal interest in her case. Taffy requires surgery, and Michael uses his clout to obtain the services of a prominent physician. Meanwhile, his father has heard about Taffy, and disapproves because she is poor. Dr. Corday Sr. has Taffy discharged from the hospital before she is strong enough to leave, and warns Michael to stay away from her. But Michael defies his father and eventually marries Taffy, thereby cutting himself off from his family. Fabienne is on a path to self-destruction; her affair with a married man leads to tragedy; only Mariette remains the same calm, capable oldest child throughout the movie. Dr. Corday's attempts to control his adult children lead to arguments, estrangement, tragedy, and eventually a reuniting of the family.