Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)

A Genuine Classic!

Wow! What a classic movie this is. It's from a different era and probably seems too schmaltzy and contrived. Still, it is a terrific movie in its own terms.

James Cagney is a credible song and dance man as he plays the great showman George M. Cohan. His dancing down the stairs of the White House still stuns me when I watch. I can see myself falling down the stairs after the first step!

There is a lot of emotional impact to the movie. The final scene where he is walking down the street with marching troops, readying themselves for leaving for Europe at the outset of America's involvement in World War II. With his own music being played as the troops march. . . . I still get misty-eyed with that scene.

The story itself is pretty standard. The portrait of Cohan, his family, and his friends as his talent propels him upward in the Broadway galaxy of stars and talents. There are the ups and downs and challenges that face him in the movie. However, as one might guess, he triumphs.

Cagney does a great job singing the songs and dancing while portraying Cohan. And those songs. . . . Among the ones that Cagney sings: "Over There," "Harrigan," "Give My Regards to Broadway," "Mary's a Grand Old Name," "You're a Grand Old Flag," and so on. And, of course, "Yankee Doodle Dandy." Just a great deal of fun.

The other actors provided great support for Cagney's bravura performance. Walter Huston, Joan Leslie, Richard Whorf, Jeanne Cagney (James' sister), Frances Langford. . . . All acquit themselves nicely.

There is a second DVD with all manner of supporting material, but I never get as interested in these add-ons as perhaps I should. I much prefer to attend to the "main event," in this case the movie itself.

Anyhow, treat yourself to a classic. . . . This is an all-time great "feel good" movie.
October 10, 2008

yankee doodle dandee

Great movie, favourite James Cagney movie of all time! My only disappointment was that I thought it was in colour not black and white but still fantastic. September 24, 2008

Yankee Doodle Danny (Two Disk Special Edition)

The movie was enjoyable to watch and got me to wondering again why James Cagney didn't make more musicals. He is fanastic in this movie. However, I especially enjoyed the added features, especially the newsreel. I did not realize that Mexico was an ally during World War II. Would recommed this to anyone who enjoys old movies and if a James Cagney fan in regard to his gangster movies, watch this to get a new perspective on a great star. September 3, 2008

A Classic Movie

A great movie - one of the greatest of all times. Colorized, it is even better than the original. Would recoemend this to anyone! So much extra on the DVD to entertain you! August 12, 2008

Yankee Doodle Dandy

as i am not a very good writer, i must say first of all amzon rocks as this was shipped and delivered extremely fast. Now as far as the movie goes, this is one of James Cagneys finest performances, I am a big cagney fan and love him in the gangster films, but his portrayl of george M. Cohan is Unbeleiveable !!!! i am glad he won an oscar for this role, one of my favorite scenes is when he meets up with eddie foy, played by eddie foy jr. remarkable. all around this a definite 5 star movie. August 4, 2008

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