YANKEE DOODLE DANDY
Film: Yankee Doodle Dandy
Year: 1942
Starring: James Cagney, Walter Huston, Joan Leslie, Richard Whorf, Rosemary DeCamp, and Jeanne Cagney
Director: Michael Curtiz
"Yankee Doodle Dandy" is a musical about the life of George M. Cohan, a composer, playwright, actor, dancer, and singer. Cohan started his career in vaudeville with his family in act starring 'The 4 Cohans'. From the age of 13, George demonstrated a headstrong manner and was frequently at odds with stage managers, causing him to be blacklisted but not his family. Deciding to temporarily split with his mother, father, and sister so that they can keep working, George attempts to get his plays produced, and eventually gets his big break, getting musical after musical after play produced, usually to warm response. During his time, Cohan, who is a patriot at heart, writes some memorable patriotic songs, such as 'Grande Ole Flag' and 'Over There', which becomes the war hymn of WWI. For these songs and musicals, Cohan is recognized by the president for his contributions to America.
This film is a musical biography, spanning Cohan's life and including songs from his most memorable plays. It also shows the stages in Cohan's life, from an arrogant child to a powerful force on Broadway. His transformation is incredibly portrayed by James Cagney, who deservingly won the Best Actor Oscar for this portrayal. Cagney takes it one step at a time to help us see the man who was loved by the public (and eventually the critics), and creates a magnificent role and character that will forever be marked as one of the best performances ever (it was listed as #7 in Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Performances of all time).
I give this film the highest rating any which way you like because it is such an incredible piece of art. If you need a good movie to watch on the Fourth of July, which is also George M. Cohan's birthday, I highly recommend this film!
Rating: 5/5
On a more personal note, I sang 'Over There' in front of my AP History class in high school for our WWI unit (I am not creative and didn't want to make a propaganda poster and the teacher gave us the option of singing a propaganda song from the era). For me, it was finally fulfilling to see the film where the song came from.
Year: 1942
Starring: James Cagney, Walter Huston, Joan Leslie, Richard Whorf, Rosemary DeCamp, and Jeanne Cagney
Director: Michael Curtiz
"Yankee Doodle Dandy" is a musical about the life of George M. Cohan, a composer, playwright, actor, dancer, and singer. Cohan started his career in vaudeville with his family in act starring 'The 4 Cohans'. From the age of 13, George demonstrated a headstrong manner and was frequently at odds with stage managers, causing him to be blacklisted but not his family. Deciding to temporarily split with his mother, father, and sister so that they can keep working, George attempts to get his plays produced, and eventually gets his big break, getting musical after musical after play produced, usually to warm response. During his time, Cohan, who is a patriot at heart, writes some memorable patriotic songs, such as 'Grande Ole Flag' and 'Over There', which becomes the war hymn of WWI. For these songs and musicals, Cohan is recognized by the president for his contributions to America.
This film is a musical biography, spanning Cohan's life and including songs from his most memorable plays. It also shows the stages in Cohan's life, from an arrogant child to a powerful force on Broadway. His transformation is incredibly portrayed by James Cagney, who deservingly won the Best Actor Oscar for this portrayal. Cagney takes it one step at a time to help us see the man who was loved by the public (and eventually the critics), and creates a magnificent role and character that will forever be marked as one of the best performances ever (it was listed as #7 in Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Performances of all time).
I give this film the highest rating any which way you like because it is such an incredible piece of art. If you need a good movie to watch on the Fourth of July, which is also George M. Cohan's birthday, I highly recommend this film!
Rating: 5/5
On a more personal note, I sang 'Over There' in front of my AP History class in high school for our WWI unit (I am not creative and didn't want to make a propaganda poster and the teacher gave us the option of singing a propaganda song from the era). For me, it was finally fulfilling to see the film where the song came from.