Griff Lees Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

Matylda Swan It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

Brenda The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Marva It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

JohnHowardReid NOTES: Dedicated to Virginia Military Institute, "The West Point of the South", the stage play by two former cadets opened on Broadway at the Biltmore on 16 December 1936, running a most successful 575 performances. It starred Eddie Albert, Jose Ferrer and Frank Albertson. The producer-director was George Abbott. Although it failed to achieve the topmost ranks at the domestic box-office, the movie was certainly as popular, inspiring both a sequel Brother Rat and a Baby and a re-make About Face.COMMENT: Well, here we are in back in the barracks at yet another Military Academy. This one is called the West Point of the South and there are the usual scriptural tributes to the Dedication and Courage of its graduates.The undergrads lead much the same sort of life as in countless other Hollywood films and the way the film starts off we seem to be in for a very boring session indeed. However, the film suddenly starts to improve, doubtless due to the fact that the screenwriters give up trying to open out the original text and let the stage play speak for itself. We actually begin to take a shine to the film's three main characters - Reagan, Morris and Albert - something we didn't think could happen from the film's first 15 minutes. Admittedly, we don't get nearly so interested in the three girls. Priscilla Lane tries too hard to win our interest, Jane Bryan is a dull mouse and Jane Wyman is as unattractive as the script forces her to appear. She doesn't get any better later on either. But the supporting characters are great, especially William Tracy's delightfully enacted Bottom and the delicious interpretation of his room-hopping, impoverished companion, and also the taken-in Officer of the Day, plus Henry O'Neil with his delightful retort, "Highly unorthodox," which gives the film its amusing conclusion. Keighley's direction is skillful, except in his attempts to integrate studio material with location-shot footage. Not a single one of the players went on location, so long shots are clumsily cut into the studio footage, or even worse, glaringly obvious process screens are used.

Neil Doyle EDDIE ALBERT plays a hapless Virginia Military Institute cadet who gets into all kinds of scrapes because of his brash friend, WAYNE MORRIS, an actor Warner Bros. was grooming for stardom. Albert is so professional that he's a pleasure to watch as he goes from one zany situation after another accompanied by Morris and Reagan.Way down in the cast credits are JANE WYMAN and RONALD REAGAN, still up-and-coming future stars developing a light touch for comedy. PRISCILLA LANE and JANE BRYAN play the other two gals who get entangled in all the farcical situations involving the cadets.It's typical broad comedy material from a successful stage play with Albert repeating his Broadway stage role and showing what a fine comedian he could be, his genial personality supplying most of the laughs. WAYNE MORRIS is a bit strident as the top-billed lead, but PRISCILLA LANE does a nice job as his wholesome girl friend.It's strictly fluff, '30s style, and passes the time without being anything you're likely to remember too fondly unless you love this type of screwball comedy directed by William Keighley.

bkoganbing Brother Rat, a successful Broadway play about the misadventures of some cadets at Virginia Military Institute, had a two year run on Broadway of 577 performances. In bringing it to Hollywood, I only wish the brothers Warner had gotten George Abbott to come over from Broadway as well as Eddie Albert from the original cast. I think the film would have been far the better for it.As it is it's not a bad comedy at that. Wayne Morris who Warner Brothers was trying to build up at the time plays the lead, taking over from Frank Albertson on Broadway. But I did a double take when I saw that Ronald Reagan had taken over from Jose Ferrer on Broadway, ten years before Ferrer made his screen debut. Imagine Reagan and Ferrer playing the same role, I never would have dreamed it.Reagan isn't bad though as the voice of reason of the three cadets, having to contend with Morris's schemes and Albert's lovesickness. In fact they all aren't bad. On the distaff side Priscilla Lane does well as the object of Morris's affection and this was the film that introduced Ronald Reagan to the woman who could have become First Lady, Jane Wyman. William Tracy also came over from Broadway playing the ever flustered plebe who is at the beck and call of the three upper classmen. Tracy took over the part on Broadway from Ezra Stone who went on to play Henry Aldrich on radio and film. Tracy steals every scene he's in.Brother Rat is a funny film, but something tells me that the George Abbott stage production was a whole lot better.

MartinHafer While this is far from a must-see film, it is a lot of fun. This is due to the intense energy in the movie and the cute chemistry between the cadets. Wayne Morris, Eddie Albert, Ronald Reagan, Priscilla Lane, Jane Wyman and the rest really try hard! While it is entertaining, I also must admit that this is a pretty insignificant film--fun to watch but not one to change your life. It's sort of like a really really good B-movie with a lot of up and coming actors. Plus, if you think about it, considering how young and inexperience these mostly future stars were, this is sort of like a YOUNG GUNS movie of the late 1930s. A cute time-passer.UPDATE--I saw this film again recently and have a rather different reaction. Instead of enjoying it, I now saw the film as more ponderous and limp. In particular, Wayne Morris' character was so obnoxious and totally unlikable I wonder why I didn't hate the film the first time I saw it. Perhaps I am more of a grouch these days, but I really hated him and think his character was not a 'lovable rogue' but an irresponsible idiot!! And why would Reagan and Albert listen to such a sociopath?! And, more importantly, why would VMI allow such a jerk to graduate from the school? Heck, I'm a little surprised that VMI didn't sue because of this film!