Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)

The best !

From Little Caesar to George M. Cohan. Winning an Academy Award for Best Actor, Cagney is wonderful. One of the best American movies ever made. Great for family viewing, including young children. And for young children, don't forget to let them see Errol Flynn in Robin Hood. November 11, 2008

Yankee Doodle Dandy

I purchased this movie for my husband, it is one of his favorites because of the music. He enjoyed it very much! October 12, 2008

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

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