Sunday, July 13, 2014

Classic Movie Review: YANKEE DOODLE DANDY (1942) A


I'm sure I saw this movie when I was 9 years old.  I never forgot it.  Especially the Yankee Doodle dancing scene.  

This was one of the many films that were produced in the 1940's that reviewed the lives of Broadway stars that created musical theater in the United States.  This particular movie was produced at the beginning of WW II and had a patriotic theme. It holds up after all these years and is a "must see" if you are interested in musical theater and movies.

For this film James Cagney won the Best Actor Oscar for his lively portrayal of "Mr. Broadway," George M. Cohan, in this lavish screen biography that highlights Cagney in some of his finest song-and-dance routines. Cohan, a playwright, entertainer, composer and patriot, made his mark on the vaudeville stage and penned countless memorable tunes, including "Over There," "It's a Grand Old Flag," "Give My Regards to Broadway" and the film's rousing title number.

Before this film Cagney played the part of a gangster in many of his films.

If you are interested his full biography is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Cagney

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