James Cagney Recommendation #2

Yankee Doodle Dandy (1941)- 2 hrs 6 mins

There is a lot of talk about populism in politics today. But Broadway legend George M. Cohan was committed to populism on the stage a century ago. His stories were always sentimental, the give-and-take was always briskly comedic, and the plot mattered very little. What really mattered was Americana, and having a good time. This may have been one of the many reasons that James Cagney idolized Cohan as a youth. Cagney auditioned for him (and was rejected). It is funny to think about when no one but Cagney could have played the part of Cohan.

Directed by Michael Curtiz, who remarked that this was his best film, Yankee Doodle Dandy was written by Julius and Philip Epstein (Casablanca), and photographed by James Wong Howe (Sweet Smell of Success) in a black and white palette that still screams red, white and blue. Released shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Yankee Doodle Dandy was America’s film. This is due in large part to Cagney's untamable vitality. He brought something unique and vital beyond what the story told. He embodies all of Cohan’s flare while simultaneously projecting an even larger image: that of America itself. Perhaps that’s what makes him perfect for the role. Who else could achieve that but no one other than Cohan himself?

Availability: Youtube, Amazon video, Googleplay, DVD, and Blu-ray.

• Purchase DVD: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/yankee-doodle-dandy-dvd-1942/34633387.p?skuId=34633387&ref=212&loc=1&ref=212&loc=BM01&gclid=CjwKCAjwi_b3BRAGEiwAemPNU_E7VSW_RW96YRniZZfqai-2lYsYzPc5sqSc_kWmII15Q7SvzosU4RoClGEQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

• Purchase Blu-ray: https://www.amazon.com/Yankee-Doodle-Dandy-Blu-ray-Cagney/dp/B00NMQR6ZG/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=