Yankee Doodle Cagney
By Craig Kennedy - July 4th, 2008; 8:30 am
Is today a bad day to admit that I kind of hate Yankee Doodle Dandy? I kind of hate the song and I kind of hate the movie with James Cagney. That’s not to say Cagney wasn’t great in a musical. He was, but give me something like Footlight Parade any day.
I don’t know. Maybe Yankee Doodle Dandy brings back bad memories of endless grade school 4th of July production numbers in stuffy gymnasiums before adoring parents.
Anyway, today’s the day so here he it is. Happy 4th.
Filed under: Miscellaneous
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I don’t think it’s all that bad a film Craig, but I agree with you that it is overated in the great actor’s pantheon. However, few if any would dispute that 1942 Oscar he got for it.
Happy Birthday America.
Cagney was a dynamo, no doubt and he makes the film worth watching in my book, but it’s soooooo cheesy. I have a high tolerance for cheese, but I have my limits too and Yankee crosses them.
Indeed, on that point I agree, Craig. Interestingly, there was another film that same year (1942) that some feel crossed the line, but since I’m a New York Yankees baseball fan, I have some fondness for it, at least for the performances—Sam Wood’s THE PRIDE OF THE YANKEES with Gary Cooper, Teresa Wright and Babe Ruth as himself.
I loved Cagney’s distinctive jaunty dance style.
It’s an overrated, cheesy movie. Great Cagney performance, however, which makes the film not only tolerable but a pretty fun and important experience despite all of the cheesiness. His scene with his dying father is tremendous. Like Sartre, I’m a fan of Cagney’s “jaunty” dance style. And Michael Curtiz proved yet again he was capable of doing just about anything even if no one noticed then or now. Doubt I’ll ever see it again, though.
The Pride of the Yankees is just a good old biopic that is better than most these days, actually. They were pushing it in those “college” scenes with Gary Cooper, but he and Teresa Wright are very good together.
It’s about Cagney!
Happy Fourth everyone!
Cagney certainly was great, but you’re not alone in hating the movie, Craig. And, yes, the song is AWFUL.
Footlight Parade owns Yankee Doodle:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjHunTgbJSU
You don’t beat Ruby Keeler.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ishat9SSEAg&feature=related
So far as musicals go, Yankee Doodle Dandee is the kind that I prefer since most of the numbers are worked into the narrative (performances, rehearsals, etc.) rather than being random breakouts.
“Footlight Parade” is one of my all time favorite movies, and my all time favorite musical.
I think that’s why I’ve always liked Singin in the Rain alynch. Performance based singing is easier to swallow than the random outbursts.
Matthew, Footlight Parade is definitely one of my favorite early musicals, but have favorites from each era and I’m not sure how I’d compare them. Besides Singin in the Rain, I love Cabaret too. (another performance based musical)